Letter of the Day | Who will save our boys?

As we drive on the streets of the Corporate Area, it is virtually impossible not to notice boys and young men rubbing out their palms or indulging in a cocktail alcoholic beverage called 'Special', which is rum mixed with an energy drink. This now seems to be a ritual, starting from as early as 7 a.m.

At every traffic light and at most intersections, boys as young as eight years old are equipped with a soda bottle filled with soapy water and tattered windshield wipers. These are their tools of trade as they treat with the rigours of child labour, all with the aim of scoring a reward for their work in the form of spare change from your ash tray. One, two, three, sometimes four, all at once, attacking your windshield, followed by, "Beg you a thing nuh, Mummy."

Quite a Nuisance

I find these young men to be quite a nuisance, having personally been the blunt of several instances of verbal abuse. These may be warranted from politely requesting for my windshield not to be wiped or respond that you don't have any money.

But who will save our boys? I have personally witnessed several beatings to the younger boys by those older than them. Once I saw a motorist give money to a boy not more than nine years old, an older young man who appeared to be in his late teens demanded his money. When he refused to give him, he was severely beaten.

I have conversed with a few of them and their reasons for being on the streets range from being hungry, or having their parents unemployed, so they have to hustle to feed the family or to run from abusive homes.

Dangers

If these boys are not rescued and remain on the street, they will soon be in trouble with the law, found dead, or become a bigger plague to society. Gone are the days when they only ventured into inner-city areas, but with the recent roadworks, there has been a migration from Three Miles and they all camp out uptown at the intersection of Devon House. Those living at Abbey Court apartments and other surrounding apartments are literally held hostage.

This is a cry for us to save our boys. Action is needed urgently, as we are deprived and robbed of the potential that the boys possess and could be channelled to better and more productive use.

I am calling on Jamaica to save our young boys. The time is more immediate than ever before.

M. A. RAMGEET

Youth and Women's

Rights Activist

visionconsultany.org@gmail.com