FOR Rhomane Rutherford, life was anything but straightforward. As Buju Banton aptly pens it, “It’s not an easy road.” Growing up in Waterhouse, a community known for both resilience and challenge, he learned early that it would take grit to stay on track. Today, he’s a valued forklift operator at Red Stripe, a role in which he takes immense pride. Rutherford’s path here was anything but smooth, marked by hard-earned discipline and unwavering determination.

Quick to laugh, Rutherford remembers himself as a mischievous child, or as he puts it, “trouble”. One of his more memorable escapades involved tossing a container of soap into his uncle’s fish tank — a prank that earned him a memorable scolding. His father, a pot maker and disciplinarian, was a steadying force throughout his upbringing.

“My father always told me to be better than him,” Rutherford reflected. “He’s proud of me now, and I feel good about that.”

Yet it wasn’t just his father’s words that drove him — it was his own sense of direction. In a community where deviant lures could easily pull young people off course, Rutherford kept his focus.

“You have to know what you want out of life because a lot of things, like gangs, can distract you. I knew what I wanted, so I stayed focused on school and made sure I’d finish.”

After leaving St Andrew College, Rutherford took whatever work he could find, whether it was driving for wholesale outlets or working in the storerooms. However, these jobs were unpredictable and barely covered his expenses.

“Life was rough,” he recalled. “As a man, it can be very demanding — especially when you have a partner and a child to support.”

However, his journey took a new turn when he joined the Desnoes & Geddes (D&G) Foundation’s forklift training programme — a street he hadn’t anticipated.

Eager to break the cycle of unstable work, Rutherford seized the opportunity, despite treading an unfamiliar territory in the skills field.

“I didn’t know anything about forklifts before, but now it’s like second nature,” he said.

Mastering the forklift demands focus, caution, and attention to detail — principles he now holds dear. Beyond the technical skills, the programme’s structure instilled in him a strong sense of professionalism. These values have since extended beyond his time as a trainee, shaping his day-to-day life and interactions.

Now, being gainfully employed at the world’s coolest beer company, Rutherford demonstrates his commitment through his punctuality and diligence. He has never been late for work and is always eager to help his colleagues.

“I will never be laid back at work, so I love helping out, even if it’s not forklifting. I feel confident that I can go anywhere to work right now, and I know my supervisors would give me a good recommendation if I need to move on to another job.”

And that she did.

“Rhomane has the potential to achieve great things. He’s an excellent team player who consistently delivers outstanding results. Over the past year as his supervisor, I’ve observed that he has a quiet demeanour, very reserved, but that never prevents him from getting the job done. With the right driving force behind him, I expect exceptional news from Rhomane,” said Shamonie Robinson, Red Stripe’s raw material stores manager.

This job has provided Rutherford with both financial stability and invaluable lessons on responsibility and work ethic.

“Now, life is good. Since I started working, I feel like a man who can do what I want. I can pay my bills, take care of my son, and make money legally.”

Rutherford’s job has also taught him the importance of courtesy and teamwork — values he takes with him onto the field, where he plays for Red Stripe in local football tournaments.

In a community where survival often means compromise, Rutherford’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. The elders and residents of Waterhouse commend him for his hard work and dedication. He explained that, coming from such a volatile space, people from his community revere him and, in all honesty, they treat him in such a way that “it’s only a crown that’s left for them to give me. They tell me that they see the work I put in and commend me for what I’m doing”.

While his forklift role is a significant milestone, he sees it as a rest stop in his roadmap to success. He dreams of advancing within Red Stripe, hoping for full-time status and perhaps even a new role entirely.

“I see this job as a stepping stone. I just have to put my mind to it,” he shared.

His son, who looks up to him, keeps him motivated. “If my son wanted to do forklift operation like me, I’d tell him: believe — it can happen.”

Though Rutherford’s story began in a challenging environment, it’s far from over. With a glint of ambition and the sturdy foundation his father instilled, he’s striving for a future where the hardships of Waterhouse are memories and where he can live free from the pressures of the ‘garrison’.

“In five years, I want to move up in life, maybe get out of Waterhouse,” he said optimistically.

As he approaches 30, Rutherford has a message for others walking a similar path.

“Sometimes you feel overwhelmed and frustrated, but I’d never prefer to sit at home doing nothing. These things keep me motivated.”