There are Mattress Firm Commercials depicting adults behaving badly to which bystanders ask, “how do you sleep at night?” It’s a disturbingly funny but concerning commercial drawn on realities we’ve undoubtedly experienced in public spaces. It’s the reason I no longer eat at buffets and God forbid, at potlucks dinners! A friend and I had a lengthy and detailed discussion on the subject. 

Ironically, there were some questions that needed hashing out. Where do these uncouth adults come from? You know, the people who throw trash from their cars unto the roadway, the unapologetic open sneezer, the loud and obnoxious neighbor, the insensitive coworker, the discourteous patron, selfish “friend”, deceitful partners, and people who talk with food in their mouths.

It got me thinking about the root cause because the first thing that comes to my mind is, was he/she raised by wolves? Children don’t magically become fully functional and well-adjusted adults without a solid foundation, positive influences and good role models. Some children are predisposed to becoming the above-mentioned adults because tragic circumstances placed them in State Care.

Residents of Children’s Homes lack the bond of a biological family, individual attention, the kind of nurture, social and educational opportunities needed to learn and thrive.  Most homes are cramped, under-staffed, dysfunctional, struggling to find the nutritional foods, adequate caregivers, and reliable donors for sustainability. 

Children need quality time to feel loved, develop social skills, to learn to trust again, on the pathway to forming their unique personalities. Most importantly, is the free expression of play, joy, laughter and a bit of mischief. Perhaps most important is the support of the village. It is regular folks like you and me who can bridge the gap by showing up, being an advocate, serve as extended family and being great mentors.

We have visited 38 of the 45 Children’s Homes and Orphanages across Jamaica, and can tell you unequivocally that your financial, in-kind, expertise and emotional support are urgently needed to joyfully grow children to gleefully productive citizens. If you want to see a better world, start with empowering vulnerable and underserved children. The future will thank you. Let’s discuss how you can make that difference.