Children’s happiness shines bright amid Beryl devastation

A glimpse of happiness shone amid the devastation of Hurricane Beryl when a group of children from Farquhar Fishing Village in Clarendon walked the beach to collect conch. With smiles on their faces from their catch, they walked back proudly to display conch of different colours and sizes.

“I have been looking for shells and playing games with my cousins. We do it every day because we live near the beach and it’s really fun,” 11-year-old Kasheba Williams said excitedly.

“Sometimes we share them when we find a little bit, but because of the hurricane, a lot of them washed up,” she added, pointing to the shells stuffed into their shirts and blouses.

Among the games the children played were ‘123 Red-light’ ‘Simon Says’, and hopscotch.

Kasheba, while enjoying the break from school, expressed understanding of the situation.

“I feel bad because the storm messed up a lot, but I am a child so I will play,” she said, prompting laughter from nearby adults.

Despite the widespread devastation witnessed by The Gleaner in Clarendon and Manchester, a common theme emerged – parents allowing their children to be children despite the worries of adulthood. Even as they struggled with the aftermath of the hurricane, the resilience and innocence of the children brought a glimmer of hope to the community.

Warren Williams, a farmer who faced losses to his fruit trees, watched his daughter collect shells with a mixture of pride and contemplation.

“Sometimes we have to see life through them. We live by the seaside, so we have to keep going,” he encouraged.

Speaking proudly of his daughter, Warren emphasised the children’s resilience.

“She is a brilliant girl and she loves to work. The children search for live conch to eat, and they find enjoyment in it, so we just watch them,” he added.