CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 46

Strathmore, being a place of safety, is not a
special needs home, but Newton said the Child
Development Agency (CDA) nonetheless sends
children with special needs there. Although
both teachers are trained and have worked at
Strathmore for a decade, they admit they are
not fully qualified to deal with special needs
children.
Newton said she has tried to enrol Danielle in
a school for children with disabilities, but the
paperwork and process has been slow due to
their dependence on CDA’s approval.
Until the CDA assesses them, and deems them
fit to leave, the children continue to be taught
together, in a disorganised environment,
sharing their conflicting backgrounds, and
limited resources.
Scarcity
Without the supervision of the teachers, classes
erupted into numerous squabbles for rubbers,
crayons, pencils, and books.
Outside the classroom, the children craved food,
toys, and more. They clung to this interviewer’s
leg and asked for money to buy bagged juice
from the nearby shop. Older children, while
less affectionate, pleaded for money, clothes
and accessories.

eventually have to share with others. CARIMAC
Times brought a bundle of clothing to the home
and a girl was seen wearing a pair of shorts
from it an hour later.
When given markers, crayons and construction
paper, the children smiled and crowded around
to receive their gifts. Many, however, were
hesitant, looking up and meekly asking which
ones were theirs.
Others quickly lay claim to markers, causing
tension, disagreements and, at one point, a
physical fight between two girls. Jody King*
snatched the markers from her younger, mentally
challenged peer, Alicia Henry*. Brandishing her
fists, Henry screamed and attacked the other
girl. When Crawford came, she slapped Henry
and forced her to go to her room. That same
week, the girls fought again because King saw
Henry wearing her clothes.
The limited resources only continue to paint
the picture that nothing at Strathmore is ever
truly permanent. Children come and go. You
tuck your shoes away for another day. You
put your emotions on hold. Toys, books and
clothing are luxuries you share. But the scars
from the children’s past are ever present and
only continue to grow.
Lacking in love?

Allan Thomas was new at Strathmore when
CARIMAC Times visited. Without knowing
this interviewer’s name or purpose, he asked:
“Miss, yuh can buy mi a bag juice, please?” This
became his standard greeting at every visit.

Crawford and Newton both rated parental
support three out of 10.

Sharing and ownership are blurred concepts.
Some children bring clothes from home, but

“They don’t listen to their kids either and kids
haffi [have to] talk; kids have their right. And

“Some parents are not loving; some parents
are not understanding,” Newton said.

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