AT 15 YEARS old, a few weeks prior to his end-of-year examinations, Desmond Young’s mother died during childbirth.

“I did not react. My whole mind was focused on education. I took my studies very seriously and did not allow anything or anyone to interfere with it. Not even the death of my mother could. I would have none of that,” recounted Young, now a very successful businessman and civil engineer of global acclaim.

“It was clear that my chance for upward mobility depended on how well I did in school,” said Young, who recently received an honorary doctor of science degree from Northern Caribbean University at its 102nd commencement on August 10.

Young grew up in a very challenging environment, with his three siblings, and raised by a single mother who had no set source of income. He was born in Manchester but has no memory of his time there. In search of a better life, his mother relocated to Kingston, and they lived in what is referred to as a tenement yard. During his time in Kingston 11, he and his family lived at seven different locations in the area.

From his early days at Dupont Primary School, Young knew from his mother’s persuasion that in order to elevate himself from his circumstances he had to ensure that he was educated, as well as street smart.

“My family consisted of mother, an older brother, two younger sisters, and me. The four children had three different fathers and none of the fathers lived with us. The five of us lived together in one room which had two beds. Food, money and clothing were always an issue,” Young recalled. He did not know or have any relationship with his father, and saw him only twice throughout his life.

By grade six, Young was transferred to Cockburn Gardens All-Age School, where he missed the opportunity to sit the Common Entrance Examinations. However, he had a reprieve with the Grade 9 Achievement Test where he passed for Excelsior High School, the institution of his choice.

“I suddenly became the centre of attention and subject of many community discussions. People were expressing opinions about me and my future,” Young recounted. He was popularly known as ‘King David’ in his community.

Altar boy

Young was formally introduced to church during his high school years. His aunt was a prominent member of St Andrew Parish Church. He was confirmed in the church and became an altar boy. After high school Young enrolled at Excelsior Community College where he sat his A’ Levels and also worked in the school’s laboratory.

“I would prepare the chemicals early in the morning before classes and in the afternoon after class. I was able to do my schoolwork and perform my lab technician duties. I was asked to teach physics and mathematics to third formers too,” he related.

He subsequently enrolled at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus in 1984, not knowing where the tuition of fees would come from. He taught O’ Level physics, and during this time his son was born. He vowed, based on the experience with his father, that he would never leave his family.

His quest for scholarships continued, and he applied for a place at St Augustine in Trinidad & Tobago – then the only engineering campus of The UWI, Howard University, as well as the University of Texas. He also applied to Moscow Institute of Civil Engineering in Russia, and took the latter, where he spent six years and completed a master of science degree in civil engineering.

Upon his return to Jamaica, Young distinguished himself as a Jamaican civil engineer and development consultant, now with over 30 years of professional experience in designing and executing large scale infrastructural projects across Jamaica and internationally.

With 24 years at the senior management level, he has led or significantly impacted major entities in both the public and private sectors of Jamaica.

He said his 14-year tenure at Ashtrom Building Systems Limited provided him with a “solid professional background”. In addition to managing his own company, Molodoy Development Limited, Young has held leadership positions at New Era Homes 2000 Limited, Halicon Holdings Limited, Housing Agency of Jamaica Limited, as well as the Urban Development Corporation.

Young, who is an elder in the Seventh-day Adventist church, summarised his career this way: “I lived a fantastic life, one that started badly, with tragedies, disappointments, unfulfilled promises and with economic obstacles. God placed quite a few destiny helpers in my way to provide guidance that allowed me to be who I am today.

“My approach to every event has been and still is, to face it, deal with it and move on. The past is the past, leave it there,” declared Young, who is the author of the The Desmond Young Story: Where you begin, does not determine where you end.

Civil Engineer Desmond Young (right) receives his honorary degree from Professor Lincoln Edwards, president of Northern Caribbean University.