KADEEN and Arnold Black have chosen a path towards success in the hospitality industry and their decision has been reaping rewards.

The siblings have overcome challenging childhoods and are now exceeding expectations at Sandals Montego Bay.

They are from a large family of 13 children on their father’s side – Kadeen, 24, is the 11th child, while her brother, Arnold Black Jnr, who is five years her junior, is the youngest child.

“We grew up with both our parents in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay,” says Kadeen.

While she remembers supportive parents and happy times, especially with their father, her brother recalls that most of his youth was spent without their loving parents as by the time he turned 10, Arnold Black Snr passed away.

“I remember walking home from Howard Cooke Primary and people kept asking if I was allright, or asked about my father, which I found very strange. I told them that daddy was in the hospital and was, as far as I knew, fine. However, when I got home, I sensed that something was not right, as everyone looked sad,” Arnold Jr remembers.

“A brother of mine was the only one who had the courage to address me. He said, ‘Bwoy, Arnold, daddy dead ennuh’. I heard the words, but I did not believe them. I told him he was lying and then I cried.”

The younger Arnold remembers his father as a man of his word and intends to be the man that his father would want him to be.

However, times were tough for the Black siblings as their father was the breadwinner of the family.

With dad gone, things became very tough and as a result, Kadeen dropped out of Mount Alvernia High School in the 11th grade.

Arnold had a similar experience.

“I left St James High because at that time I had to be fending for myself, as after my father died, the relationship with my mother deteriorated completely.”

Kadeen was sent by a family member to the Pre- University School to sit some CSEC subjects, after which she did a customer service training course, which she said would help in her quest towards working in tourism.

Arnold, on the other hand, was not as fortunate.

“I was desperate for a job and had to be working at a construction site at age 15.”

With two children of her own added to the family, it became more difficult for Kadeen to make ends meet, but she continued to undertake skills training in customer service, while waiting patiently for the day that she would be given a chance to show what she could do.

“Last year, a friend told me about the Hospitality Training Programme (HTP) at Sandals Montego Bay, so I decided then and there to do it,” Arnold said.

And before he knew it, he was at Sandals Montego Bay getting hands-on training in cooking at the resort’s Beach Grill.

“I had always wanted to be a chef; I am obsessed with cooking and cooking shows, so I was very happy to be doing what I love.”

After the six-week period was up, he was taken on as a team member.

Arnold passed on the information to his big sister and soon she was also at Sandals Montego Bay participating in the programme. She was first stationed at the bell desk.

“While I was at the bell desk I asked many questions, I was so eager to learn, all the managers and team members I encountered were impressed by my enthusiasm,” stated a beaming Kadeen.

She performed her job admirably and shortly after finishing her HTP stint, she was also made a team member.

The Black siblings both credit Sandals Montego Bay’s HTP programme for saving their lives, as they, particularly Arnold, could have gone down another path.

“I could have been doing so many other things, but my father would not have wanted that, so I am very grateful for the HTP programme, as it has been a great help,” says the 19-year -old, now a father of one.

Kadeen is equally grateful for the programme, as she now sees a bright future ahead.

“I really want to further my studies in hospitality and tourism and I would love to do that through Sandals Corporate University,” she says.

“The kitchen is where I see myself in the future. I really want to become a chef. It’s the only thing I have ever been passionate about doing,” Arnold adds.

Arnold, now a cook at the Beach Grill, lauds his big sister for her kindness.

“If she has a morsel of food she shares it with me. Like all siblings, we do not always get along, but at the end of the day she is my sister and I love her.”

Kadeen, who has been a permanent staple at the front desk since the start of the year, shares the same sentiment.

With bright, promising futures ahead, the Black siblings can now step confidently towards their goals, without the hurdles of their past looming before them.