An early afternoon in Kingston, clouds riding high above Wareika Hill – the further end of the green limestone ridge called Long Mountain that runs along the eastern side of the city. Down below, in the area generally called Mountain View, I am taking my time traveling along Jacques Road in the company of Cuso International volunteer Kate Chappell and her colleagues. A young man sits outside a small shop with a laptop balanced on his knees. Three women take a pause from their daily chores for a chat, hands on hips. Most of the children are still in school, but will begin drifting home soon. Dogs lounge in the shade.
We stop at a dip in the road which runs parallel to Mountain View Avenue. Opposite, a small block-making business is at work, in the shade of a spreading guango tree. I have noticed how surprisingly green the area is. We climb out of the van, and approach a renovated building in the style of most of the homes along the road. It is brightly painted, full of promise. Behind is a large piece of land, thick with the branches of mango, guinep and ackee trees.
We are there to take a look at the work completed by the Canadian Navy, who docked in Kingston at the end of September on the HMCS Preserver. Around forty sailors descended on Jacques Road. Jamaica Defence Force soldiers, community policemen, Cuso volunteers and members of the local non-governmental organization Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) joined them – with vigorous support from local community workers and residents, young and old. Quite a force to be reckoned with!
The energetic team worked incredibly hard, Kate told me; and we can see the results of their labor. The homework center is beautifully painted inside and out, and windows are in place. New electrical fittings are installed. Strong, substantial shelves are fitted and have books in place.
Francena Pryce, the Pastor of the Mountain View Cathedral of Grace at 65A Mountain View Avenue, greets us there. She is Secretary of the Jacques Road Parenting Association, and a community organizer.
Slim and youthful in jeans and a sleeveless top, Francena does not fit the stereotype of a preacher. But throughout our conversations, it becomes clear that she knows and understands the challenges and the potential of the area and its people – in depth, and in detail. She also has the skills: both she and Anne Marie Lynch, the Parenting Association’s President, are mediators trained by the Dispute Resolution Foundation. And she knows all the partners – there are several – who have come together to help transform the area. She has an unmistakable air of purpose.
So let us backtrack a little. In the first several years of this century, Mountain View Avenue was always mentioned in the same breath as crime and violence. Politically-motivated gangs created an atmosphere of strife and division. The murder rate was terrifyingly high. Although it is the most direct route from uptown Kingston to the airport, we often drove down the relatively narrow road nervously, or used an alternative route. It was part of my drive to work at that time and I recall having to turn the car round on several occasions because of “something happening” further down the road. Jacques Road was one of the areas most often mentioned in the disturbing news reports.
Fast forward to 2013, and much has changed, through the efforts of people like Francena and a combination of community-based organizations. They have received vital support from the Citizens Security & Justice Program of the Ministry of National Security; the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety & Security Division; NGOs like YOU, which has conducted adolescent mentoring workshops; the government’s Universal Service Fund (formerly the Universal Access Fund); and the Member of Parliament, who has been “visible” and helpful, says Francena. Local firms such as Genesis Office Concepts have also made substantial contributions.
It’s becoming clear that the women of the area – specifically, the Parenting Association, which now has a membership of approximately 200 – initially took things in hand. Their families were deeply affected by the violence. Residents fled the area, packing up and leaving overnight. Children could not go to school. Houses were burned down, abandoned. Streets were deserted after dark. In October 2004, then National Security Minister Peter Phillips opened a new Police Station in the area, which now serves the well over 5,000 residents of the area. Things slowly began to turn around.
I chat with the confident Jovan Ottey, President of the Amy Jacques Youth Club. Amy Jacques, the second wife of Jamaican National Hero Marcus Garvey, grew up in the area. Her family were the main land-owners, Jovan told me – hence the name of the road. Now, the Club meets twice a week; their main activity day is Saturday. It has some sixty members, forty of whom are active. Literacy and the need for “positive attitudes” among the youth are high on the Club’s agenda, Jovan says (he is a poet, himself). There are two groups – under thirteen and 13 – 24 years old.
A little further down the road, we stopped at a large open space containing a nearly-complete building – a planned community centre – and two shipping containers, which the Canadians had painted. Windows and front door are in in place, and electrical fixtures are all ready for twenty computers to be attached. This will be Jacques Road’s Internet café and learning center.
So what is next on the agenda? I asked. Now, residents are looking forward to a workshop for parents on jam-making, to be coordinated by the Scientific Research Council. The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (a government agency) and Jamaica National Building Society, a leading private sector player, will also be making residents aware of a number of income-generating possibilities.
Mountain View still bears the scars. There is a long road ahead – but much has changed. What happens when conflicts arise, I ask Francena? “We talk things out,” she responds, at stakeholder meetings. Jacques Road still has its “issues” with other communities along the road, she concedes. Things aren’t perfect. But the gangs have receded, the guns are silent, and relations between the people and police officers have greatly improved. “They are part of the community,” Francena tells me, often contributing to neighborhood activities.
The combination of “spiritual and social intervention” is working. Projects such as those undertaken recently by the Canadian sailors and their local partners provide a huge moral boost to residents. I hope that this combination of resilience, forward thinking and partnerships can be replicated in other communities across Jamaica.
I will end with a quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, which seems appropriate for the residents of Jacques Road – and for us all:
“Peace involves inevitable righteousness, justice, fullness of life, participation in decision making, goodness, laughter, joy, compassion, sharing and reconciliation.”
Related articles and links:
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Canadian-sailors-bring-joy-to-Jacques-Road_15156555 Canadian sailors bring joy to Jacques Road: Jamaica Observer
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130930/lead/lead6.html Canadian soldiers give Jacques Road centers a facelift: Gleaner
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Jacques-Road-teachers–residents-working-to-end-crime Video: Jacques Road teachers, residents working to end crime: Jamaica Observer
http://jamaicajournal.wordpress.com/2013/09/28/from-the-hmcs-preserver-to-mountain-view-and-back/ From the HMCS Preserver to Mountain View and back: Jamaican Journal
Petchary's Blog 
Reblogged this on Jamaican Journal and commented:
I must reblog this post today from Emma Lewis, who came down to Jacques Road with us a few days ago. She has written this beautiful post that captures the project and the essence of the community so well. On Wednesday, we will be holding a formal ceremony to thank the people involved in the project, stay tuned for that. Enjoy your Sunday and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends and family!
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Hi Kate: Thanks so much for the reblog – really appreciated! I am glad you like it. Look forward to Wednesday’s “thank you” and Happy Thanksgiving to you all in Canada too!
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Wonderful! Glad to hear that at least some people still care to make a difference.
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Thanks a million! Yes, and it is against tremendous odds when you realize the very difficult place that they are coming from.
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Reblogged this on idealisticrebel and commented:
This the best blog you have ever posted. Congratulations my friend,Barbara
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Oh goodness, Barbara! Thank you SO much. I am really happy that you loved it so much. The visit really meant a lot to me.
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