MAY PEN, Clarendon — A visit to a children’s home in Clarendon has changed the way 12 youth leaders view these facilities and the youngsters inside them.

It was the first time any of them — all members of the Clarendon Municipal Corporation’s Junior Youth Council who are currently enrolled in either high school or university — had ever been inside a children’s home.

“The experience was new and different and it was also eye-opening to see how persons close to our age group have different experiences and go through different circumstances from us. These are things we don’t do on a daily basis. We hear about these things and we talk about it but many of us have never really gone to a home to see what it is like,” shared the youth council representative for Race Course Division, Jadyn Howell.

“It is good that we came and had the experience and also made a donation of items that they would need for their day-to-day existence. Sometimes the narrative that is being fed to us is that children in homes are bad; but we interacted with persons who are well-mannered, well-spoken and based on the conversations we had, we realised they are educated. It was definitely a day well spent,” added Howell.

Deputy Youth Mayor of May Pen Kristena Allison had a similar view.

“This is a new thing for me; I have never been to a children’s home. This experience has enlightened me in some ways, because seeing them in person made me realise they are regular human beings like us. Seeing them interact with us and having fun playing games, it doesn’t feel like they are in a home. They are just kids and with a little help, they will be fine,” said Allison who is also youth councillor for Mocho Division.

The youth councillors visited St Augustine Place of Safety which is one of three children’s homes in Clarendon. They made a donation of toiletries, soaps, snacks, juice and water with the help of locally elected representatives who donated cash to purchase the items.

Tejaun Hall, the youth mayor of May Pen, said Saturday’s visit helped clear up earlier misconceptions.

“The children weren’t as bad as we thought they would be; they were actually quite friendly. When you hear about children’s home there is a kind of stigma attached and so sometimes, we tend to draw conclusions but what we saw here was quite the opposite. I actually expected them to be less orderly but to my surprise they were quite cooperative. I would do it again, it was good to reach out in this way to young people our age group, no matter what their situation or circumstances are,” he said.

Health and social care supervisor at Summerfield Childcare Facility Jacqueline Brown Stamp chaperoned 23 girls from that centre to be part of the day’s activities. She provided insight into how the experience had been for her girls.

“The interaction uplifts them a bit. It takes them away from the facility and allows them to get some fresh air so this is very good for them. They have similar visits from time to time but each will be a little different depending on who the visitors are,” she said.

“Sometimes because of the atmosphere they really get down [sad] because they are there and they can’t see family. So interactions like these really uplift them and remind them that they are wanted and they are loved and people really do care about them,” Brown Stamp added while expressing appreciation for the donation.

Assistant supervisor at St Augustine Place of Safety Peter Francis said the visit was timely and valued.

“It is a good opportunity for the boys and girls to interact with the young leaders from the Clarendon Municipal Corporation. They cooperated very well and we would love if they would come back again. It was well put together and we appreciate the visit. It is a welcomed initiative, and we are happy when positive individuals and youth can come in and reason with the youth and show them right from wrong,” he said, adding that other agencies visit the facility from time to time and make donations.