From helping his mother sell in Coronation Market, west Kingston, to becoming the first person in his family to acquire a degree, Carlton Barrows says he is now determined to earn his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Barrows, 32, who is from Tate District in Kellits, Clarendon, is a senior lab technologist at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. But he said his journey to attain his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biotechnology had not been easy.

Now the father of two boys, aged seven and two, Barrows said he was not fortunate to have a relationship with his father.

“It is hard to say, I first met my father at age 20…I cannot say much about him, but I give thanks for life as I got the chance to meet my other sisters and brother. We communicate at times, but that’s about it. I have nothing against him…however, we are not close,” he said.

He also said as the first child of six, he often felt responsible to help his mother in the market, so she could provide for their family. But he said market life was dangerous at times.

“I assisted mom in the market, especially during the holidays. Mom would leave home Sunday evening and return Friday night. During my time in the market with her, I saw so many scary things at nights that opened my eyes to the realities of Jamaican society,” he said.

“Mom would then get the pallets and the cardboard along with a piece of sponge and make a bed for us to sleep…we slept lightly as we kept watch for thieves and by four o’clock in the morning, we would start stripping the vegetables and pack out the other food items before her customers arrived,” he added.

Even though Barrows said market life was hard, he said he was exposed to real challenges when he decided to pursue his dreams in the sciences.

Barrows had been attending Brown’s Town Community College but decided to complete his degree at UWI.

“During college I got the first look at what financial challenges were as I was living in Brown’s Town with my cousin and my sister. I had to learn how to budget and make the most out of what mom could provide for us,” he said.

He also said he attended college during the same time that his sister did, which made it more difficult. For this, he said he played music and would also sell ground produce to several halls at UWI to make extra cash.

Barrows said his family was not rich, but he had a happy home in Clarendon.

“I am from a large family where farming is the main source of income. I was never hungry, and clothing was always on my back with a proper roof over my head,” he commented.

“At [my] birth, mom was in her teens, so my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins raised me. While I cannot recall most of my life as a baby and early teen, I can safely say it was fun,” he added.

His mother, 50-year-old Victoria Riley, said she is proud of her son and his accomplishments. She said that he was always persistent and shared that he has even done exams in the market.

“It was in the Christmas season, and we had to sell and do what we have to do and him sit right here and do an exam,” she said.

But Barrows said he dreams of advancing, noting that a PhD in Biotechnology will bring more opportunities and will allow him to conduct more scientific research.

He has worked with several professors at the UWI in areas such as: molecular biology, virology, tissue culture, among others.

He told the Jamaica Observer that he has always loved the sciences and said he was good at creating things when he was a child.

“Growing up, I was fascinated with rose apples. We made pap-nu guns and shot at each other. It hurts when it hit, but I found a way to make mine more powerful by using the pistil inside the bamboo joint…I would smile as my little brother, other siblings and relatives were crying for pain,” said Barrows.

He also mentioned that his grandmother played a key role in his and his siblings’ development, because his mother worked long hours.

“Grandma believed in the biblical adage of not sparing the rod and spoiling the child; therefore, when we were rude, she would say ‘cut two sticks’ because she wanted us to know who was boss at the end of the day. I still smile after remembering my floggings, most of which I truly deserved,” he said.

He said his family has always been proud of his accomplishments, noting that they cheered him on for each step of journey.

“I got my first shot at Schools Challenge Quiz at Claude McKay High School against St George’s College, and it was a joy for my family to see myself on TV confidently answering questions. To this day my uncle still mocks me for a few questions I answered in the [final] minutes,” he said.

A friend of Barrows, Jermaine May, 32, said he’s admired Barrows since they played together on the quiz team at Claude McKay High School.

“The guy is a star…I can only see better things for him in the future. As he works in that lab at UWI, I know he’s probably working on things you and I can’t even fathom. Carlton is one for the future,” he said.

Also commending Barrows for how far he has come was his past teacher, Dayne Parker.

“A lot of children would give up in life, but he was one of them that stood up and ensured that he achieved his goals. I saw him grow into a purpose-driven young man… whatever achievements he will attain in the future will be because of the foundation he had in his formative years,” Parker said.

Barrows said as a future holder of a PhD, he hopes to use his knowledge and skills to help Jamaica implement more sustainable practices that will benefit agriculture.

“I want keep my family tradition going strong…I will have the largest recycle organic farm in Jamaica,” he said.