'Save our children' - Crying monument reminds nation of lost generation

Patrina Pink, Gleaner Writer

THE STREAM cascading the metallic image of a child's face wasn't the only display of emotion at the monument for children who died under tragic/violent circumstances yesterday.

Scores of persons gathered in downtown Kingston to commemorate the passing of young people who have been snatched by death's untimely hands.

For many parents the pain is still too real; dark sunglasses can hide so much and no more.

In a sermon, Rev Robert Thompson appealed to Jamaicans to protect the rights of children. Thompson argued that the society must embrace a culture of caring.

"So many of us have become numb to the killings, they have become part of a national cycle," he preached.

"Thousands are preparing to celebrate bacchanal and think that a drink or a spliff will neutralise the tragic circumstances that we live with as a nation," he added.

The clergyman also argued a notion of collective guilt and said that all Jamaicans were responsible for the deaths of young children since it was society as a whole that is failing its youth.

Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie implored those present to have faith in the youth.

"Let us continue to do whatever we can to assist their growth and development and not write them off as a 'lost generation' or a 'generation of vipers', as some people do," said McKenzie.

Meanwhile, among those remembered at yesterday's ceremony was 16-year-old Patrine Clarke, one of three Holmwood Technical High school students who died in a bus crash while on their way to school.

Late by minutes, Clarke, who would have been 17 on Wednesday, rushed out to make her way to school, the trip on 'Not Nice' ride would be her last.

Clarke's mother, Madge Virgo, described her as a very bright, humble student.

"She got nine subjects at CXC seven ones, a two in chemistry and a three in math. She wanted to become a pharmacist," said Virgo.

Now Virgo is comforted by the fact that Clarke was a Christian.

"She didn't always take that bus, she used to take it and stopped, but she was late that morning because she forgot something."

help rural students

Virgo believes that more should be done to protect students in rural areas who have to make their way to school, sometimes across long distances.

"She lives in Trelawny and goes to school in Manchester. The rural students need some kinda help, they have to travel further than many who go to school in Kingston."

Virgo says that the Government should implement a proper transport system in rural areas.

McKenzie also made a serious call for safety on public passenger buses.

"This year, it is projected that about 320 people will die on our roads, and it is quite likely that more than 20 per cent of those killed will be young people. I am also calling on the minister of transport and works not to lower the standards he is promulgating in the public transport system."

McKenzie said that bus operators must either step up to the new standards or 'step out'.

"We are dealing with people's lives and physical health here. We need to ensure that the vehicles that are transporting the public, especially the children, are properly serviced, inspected and checked for roadworthiness."

McKenzie appealed to students and their parents not to use vehicles that are in disrepair. "Check the safety of the vehicles before you check the quality of the music," he said.

Paul Bailey, principal of Holmwood Technical, said that his school was in the early stages of the healing process. Like Virgo, he believes that more should be done for rural children who do not have the luxury of the Jamaican Urban Transport Company buses to carry them to school.

"The system is inadequate. The small buses mainly focus on making as many trips as possible."

He said that the cost of transportation is a burden on rural students and that a state-run alternative must be introduced.

"We need something that can protect the children, a bus to put them in that they will be safe," he said.

The church service also featured wreath laying by the Yson family, whose son Jeremiah Yson was killed by a goal post at Sts Peter and Paul Prepartory last month and Ann Marie Nelson, whose 13-year-old son, Gawayne Watson, died in a motor-vehicle crash on the Mandela Highway, St Catherine, in March.

Roughly 280 children have died in violent/tragic circumstances since 2009.