While poverty is widespread throughout Jamaica, St. Thomas faces unique challenges that remain unaddressed and need our undivided attention. St. Thomas is often referred to as the ‘forgotten parish’. Araba Scott Children’s Foundation believes we should always seek to work in ‘difficult’ places rather than work on developing places that are perceived as ‘easier’ to work in, or that are already receiving assistance.

In 2015, the Planning Institute of Jamaica ranked St. Thomas, Jamaica’s poorest parish. 54% of households, in a population of only 95,000 still use pit latrines. Sexual abuse and incest of children is under reported in St. Thomas but suspected to be highest here, because of the severity of poverty, poor report and respond mechanisms and the lack of things to do.

Our own observations have highlighted that a worrying number of children are experiencing the loss of one or both parents, and not receiving the emotional support to express their grief. There are a lack of positive outlets such as art and cultural activities in St. Thomas. Many of these activities occur at school or at church, but where children do not attend either of these regularly or at all, they end up isolated and with little to do.

The quality of life for children with physical disabilities and severe learning difficulties is also a concern for us. Until 2017, there wasn’t a single secondary school in the parish for these children to attend. Parents keep their children at home because, “they won’t be the first who can’t read or write”. Therefore, these children lack stimulation, social interaction and positive outlets.

Every child has the capacity to learn at his or her own pace. All they need is the opportunity. What children in St. Thomas lack is opportunity. What we are providing is opportunity. What they can achieve will foster further opportunities for themselves and the next generation!