Diaspora ­ long overdue
published: Friday | June 18, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE ESTABLISHMENT of a formal Jamaica Diaspora Foundation to strengthen the links and support systems between Jamaicans residing overseas and those at home is long overdue. Of note, at the official launch of the National Diaspora Conference was the Prime Minister's reference to the deportee issue. The fact is most of these individuals are not hard core criminals, however, upon deportation they cause a strain on our already limited resources.

I strongly support the point articulated by the Prime Minister with regards to the 'unofficial' encouragement of criminality by the deporting nations. The truth is our law is handicapped, owing to the fact that we cannot take punitive actions against these deportees.

I believe that the diaspora can do much more to aid the reduction of criminality in Jamaica. There is a school of thought that believes that 'barrel children' because of lack of adequate guidance and supervision are lured into criminal activities. I am calling on all parents in the diaspora who have children in Jamaica without the requisite guidance, please address this issue with utmost urgency because failure to do so will have dire social consequences. The remittances are welcomed but probably, more importantly the youth need proper guidance or else the social fabric of this country will continue to erode.

I am, etc.,

DEANALL 'VENDOR'

BARNES

dbarnes75@yahoo.com

Kingston 8