It is extremely important for responsible news media to report not only on what’s going wrong but to also tell our people about what’s going right at the individual, group, and national levels.

Hence we believe applause is in order for Jamaica Observer reporter Mr Jason Cross’s stories about people who spent part, or all of their childhood, in State care and have done well, despite great odds.

Applause, also, for the State-run Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), its dedicated staff, and all those who work tirelessly in defence of unprotected children.

Consider the case of 43-year-old graphic artist Mr John Ramsay, who was born without fingers and abandoned as a baby by his 14-year-old mother.

Named in honour of “police lady”, now retired Ms Ionie Ramsay, who made sure he was properly registered, documented, and admitted to the care of the State, Mr Ramsay remembers a mixed childhood.

He was well taken care of in children’s homes, protected by his adopted “brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles”. On the other hand, he was bullied on the road and at school because of his disability.

Clearly a strong personality, Mr Ramsay now owns his own graphic design business.

Mr Raequan Tingling, a 20-year-old university student who covers school expenses by working for Mr Ramsay, pays a telling tribute to his employer: “I really admire him because, even late in the nights and early in the mornings, he is up doing his work when I am still sleeping. He inspires me…”

Consider 18-year-old Miss Georgon Gardiner, who at 13 was handed over to State care by her mother because the child was “out of control” and needed protection.

Today, her proud mother, Ms Nerine Lowe, is certain she did right by her daughter, who excelled at high school and is working and studying with aspirations of a career in medicine.

We are struck by a comment from Ms Lowe to our reporter: “Personally, as an inner-city mother, I see where there are a lot of children whose parents need to ask for intervention from the CPFSA…”

Her daughter reminds us of the importance of positive socialisation in changing behaviour. She tells us that at the children’s home she learnt anger management: how to “relax”, handle situations “differently”, and to “walk away”. Says she: “I think that before going into State care, I was in like one fight…”

Consider Dr Kemar Henry, a dentist with his own practice. He was placed in State care as a child. Today he credits CPFSA for everything he has achieved.

Dr Henry says that now he is “filled with a dream of giving back to all of Jamaica’s vulnerable children… Because of the CPFSA’s investment in me and my future I am now able to extend all of the same benefits I have received… Going out there, working tirelessly…”

We believe the last word here should belong to Ms Laurette Adams-Thomas, chief executive officer of CPFSA. She told a recent awards ceremony for many of those who grew up in State care: “[N]ever be afraid to dream big and let no one tell you that the dreams you have can never be achieved.”

What better advice could there be?