IN last Sunday’s Observer, a headline and accompanying photos introduced us to one young man and seven girls who were listed as missing children. The youngest listed was 12 years old, another 13, two others 14, two 15 and one 16. The oldest was the young man at age 17.

The photos and the text revealed that all are from communities in the Corporate Area, mainly in the heart of Kingston. They attend different schools. All were dressed as most teenagers do. Two of the girls sported the popular bun perched atop their heads. A description of their physical characteristics drew attention to height, distinctive facial features, as well as what they were wearing when last seen. These youngsters could be members of any one of our communities. There was nothing unusual about them. Why then have they left home to now be classified as missing?

Two of the girls appeared to be happy, judging from their smiles captured by the camera. Another looked unhappy; no smile, only sad eyes gazing at what we do not know. What we, outside, saw was a group of young citizens of the future, what burdens are they carrying and when will they come home?

From time to time, the authorities reveal statistics on the development of our youth. Some are blossoming and flourishing, while some take on the role of fugitive. No one knows why they left home. Some rethink their decision and return to the nest. Some don’t. If we know the statistics, why can’t we make more change? All is not lost, however. Ananda Alert has resulted in a quicker response in beginning to search for the missing. But it does not solve every case? The missing children are still with us.

The photo gallery of those seven truant girls and one boy is part of a distressing puzzle. The popular reason given is that missing children are victims of dysfunctional family life. This knowledge provides some avenue for discussion, but we continue to lose our way instead of getting the job done. We continue to need remedial strategies and make every effort to help the family? What are so many young people running from and what are they running to? The answers will only be found (I believe) when the communities, as a whole, recognise the overused saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Young people do need help to steer them away from “jumping out of the frying pan into the fire”. Unfortunately, instead of mentoring, we hear “since ah nuh fi wi business, wi cut wi yeye and pass it”.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Where are the missing children today? What will become of them? How many will find a happy ending? It cannot always be bad news which controls us. We should not let that make us forget that there are two sides to the young people’s story. If we can help them to conquer the odds, we might just get the good for which we yearn.

On the dark side of life

It will be a long time before I get over the report of the case of a man who the headlines proclaimed as “a businessman”, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder. His 14-year-old victim led a lifestyle, it is said, which robbed her of her youth and set her on a path which led to her death.

He admitted to the court that he had a sexual encounter with the schoolgirl. When she tried to blackmail him to get $6,000 for a phone her ending was near. He confessed to the court that he strangled her to death, then dumped her young body into a river near her school.

What I find particularly disturbing is the strange silence which blanketed the area where they both lived. It is said that people knew of this unholy alliance but no step was taken to bring it to the attention of the authorities. When 14-year-old Santoya Campbell joined the list of missing children, no one in her community could have imagined such a bitter end. What’s more, it was revealed that she was four months pregnant.

In pleading for mercy, his attorney painted a picture of a good man who lost his way. The judge gave him a sentence of life with the possibility of parole after serving 25 years. And the young girl? Adulthood had been taken from her long before the end came.

As a nation, we have been brought low by vicious acts of criminality. This is one of the worst which will go on record. What memory will remain of a child who lost her young life, failed by society? Was there no one who could have given her the guidance and protection which every child is owed? We have to hold on to hope that all the missing children whose return we await will get the opportunity to grow to maturity. What will be the answer to their puzzle, whatever life has in store?

Big screen

Go see and learn from the newly released film Selma now showing at the Carib cinema. A brilliant recreation of the Civil Rights War in America’s South in the 1960s, when America’s people of colour suffered violently and brutally in their quest to be permitted the right to vote. The story depicts the testing of Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s faith as a minister of the gospel.

Years later, the battle is returning, not with violence, but undermining the voter rights of people of colour. The more things change, the more they remain the same… Ask any jackass.

gloudonb@yahoo.com