Heather Robinson
THERE IS no more pleasant sound than that of children expressing themselves. Last week I heard an 11-year-old boy explain to veteran journalist Barbara Gloudon the benefits of protecting our mangroves.
He was such a convincing child. I remember almost every reason he gave, from the protection mangroves offer to our homes during hurricanes, to the production of the Irish moss drink that Jamaican men get so much pleasure in drinking.
This boy does not want to become an environmentalist, but rather proudly announced to the entire Jamaica his desire to be a lawyer. Anyone who heard him will certainly know that one day he will indeed be a lawyer.
Looking back at the voices of these children, including some girls who made ackee soap, I wonder if I would have remembered so much had it been an environmentalist or manufacturer speaking. The voices of these children will be with me for a long time, just as we remember the voice of Spelling Bee champion Jody-Anne Maxwell when she won the Scripps Howard championship in 1998.
IMPRESSED
Recently, a mother told me how her 10-year-old son proudly told his 15-year-old brother's 18-year-old girlfriend - over the telephone - that his brother is not 18. The 'girlfriend' is now so impressed with the conversations with the 10-year-old that they have now become telephone friends. The moral of the story: older brothers must disclose their correct ages.
When my nephew was four years old I took him to work with me. The journey began in New Kingston with stops at Newport West, Portmore and finally Spanish Town.
He was very fascinated with the activities of the cranes at Port Bustamante as well as the construction work on the Portmore Cause-way for Highway 2000. While we waited to collect a cheque, he, impatiently, suddenly exclaimed: 'But Auntie Heather, you don't really work. You just drive up and down and talk a lot'. The moral of the story: Don't take your four-year-old nephew to work with you.
Jamaica is full of bright, beautiful children who, whenever you see and hear them, somewhere in your throat you feel a sudden tightness and your emotions are expressed even further in the brightness of your eyes.
We cherish those who excel academically and in various forms of sports. But those who manage to gain public attention by their outstanding performances are not unique. There are several hundreds more who, if given several similar opportunities, can do as good as, or even better than those whom we now applaud.
SATISFACTION
In this month of May when we celebrate and focus on children, each adult who has the capacity and ability to help a child attain his or her achievable level of excellence should do so. There is no better satisfaction that one can gain from seeing a child - who is not yours - attain excellence with your help and guidance.
The most eye-catching advertisements, be they on print, television or radio, are those with children and puppies. Both share a common bond. It is the bond of innocence and purity.
It is a situation in which adults should be willing to assume the role of protector, provider and keeper. Mentoring of children should be an important undertaking that responsible and capable adults ought to take on in the month of May, as a country committed to giving our children all the opportunities for self-expression, education and play.
May there always be joy for our Jamaican children.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former Member of Parliament.
