Marlene McPherson, Outlook Writer

Norma Ming is now a naturalised Jamaican Citizen.- photo by Marlene McPherson

Norma Ming was not content just to hear about Jamaica. This Cuban wanted to experience this paradise that she learnt about from her grandparents, and she also wanted to find her relatives here.

On February 5, 2003, Norma made her maiden voyage to Jamaica. And so started her adventure to find her roots.

Here's her story:

"My grandfather travelled to Cuba in search of work during the 1920s. After he settled he sent for my grandmother, Francis Matilda Ming, and five children.

"I received this (Jamaican) passport from my father, Ralph Crosgrove Ming, when he became ill with cancer at the age of 71," she said, displaying what seems to be a regular passport that people continue to use today, except for the fact that it opened in a huge sheet of paper that could cover her chest. "He gave it to me and told me, 'Take this passport with you and try to get in contact with some of your relatives'."

One year later she took up the challenge to come to Jamaica. It was a daunting task ahead and her mother questioned her wisdom.

"To whom will you go? How will you manage knowing no one (in Jamaica)?"

She said she replied, "God knows, I am going to find my blood relatives."

When she landed here and while at Immigration, she met a fellow Cuban who was delighted to see her and asked, "Who did you come to visit, a relative?"

Forever optimistic she responded, "Not yet, I came to know them."

"I went outside the airport and took upsome dirt and put it in a glass bottle. This I still keep on my dresser. I thought, what better way to remember a place than with dirt."

Her country man and his family graciously offered her accommodation for a month. And she proceeded with her mission.

"One day I took the bus (in Kingston) and asked a woman where I should come off. Hearing my accent she enquired where I was from. I formally introduced myself told her my of mission - to find my family. She was pleased and gave me information about some Ming who she knew within the Seventh-day Adventist Church."

Within the second month of coming here Norma found six first cousins. She has found relatives in sections of the island, including Portland and St. Thomas, among them a cousin who has since died. When she attended his funeral, she discovered other family members. In all she has found 16 cousins.

Norma is now a naturalised citizen of Jamaica.

"Jamaica is like a diamond; we should be proud of this island."

She said that in Cuba "a committee of Jamaican descendants" is set up with the aim of making contacts with relatives. They also try to maintain a Jamaican culture by observing certain celebrations.

Norma is enjoying the Jamaican experience through her work as a Spanish teacher at the Seaforth High School in St. Thomas.