Images and Imagination

I’m taking a hiatus from my recap of SE Asia to share my current experiences as I am working in the impoverished and oftentimes the more “dangerous” neighborhoods of Kingston, Jamaica.

I am on assignment with Fairbourne Consulting, a consulting firm focused on business innovation for developing markets.  I am here with Jason Fairbourne and four other fantastic researchers/consultants who have come together on the same premise: Design businesses to create employment for the youth in inner-city Kingston.  One of the primary components to our process is stepping away from the desk, and stepping into the everyday lives of the people we aim to impact.  This is exactly why I accepted to work with Fairbourne and crew on this project, because we are collecting primary data and experiences from individuals and learning their story.  Reservations about going to Kingston?…There were maybe a few recommendations to consider…

“I’ve been to Kingston. Be careful man!”  ”Our bus driver told us to NEVER go to Kingston. He said if you wanna see it, stop at the city limits look in and leave immediately.”  ”Ghetto.”  ”When you hear gun shots, hit the ground and don’t get up until they stop.”

With that input in mind, I still said yes and afterward read a U.S. State Department advisory, “Violence and shootings occur regularly in certain areas of Kingston… avoid traveling into high-threat areas including, but not limited to, Mountain View, Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens…” of which all are encompassed in our project.  Luckily we knew we had our client (YUTE) and their contacts to get into the community and we trusted they had our safety in mind.

Participant of the YUTE program

Through the YUTE (Youth Upliftment Through Employment) program we have already entered two neighborhoods of Kingston that outsiders, especially foreigners, would rarely, if ever, enter.  Every community here has a history, a political party it supports, and needs that aren’t met.  We have been holding focus groups and community meetings to better understand what those needs/wants are to begin designing businesses to those ends.

Jason talking with the youth of Denham Town

We have spent hours with the youth discussing their dreams, needs, skills, ideas, and being toured around their neighborhood, through their streets and welcomed into their homes.  It has been a unique and humbling experience.

Talking with local laborer in Denham Town

Omar Bailey was one of the most impressive youth we spoke with in Denham Town.  During our discussion he was really vocal about starting a business and as we walked through the streets he would point out the different business owners and made sure we’d talk to them. He even had “starting a business” books and asked Jason to look over his business plan he was writing.

Omar's light reading

The most intimate part of the walk was when Omar let us in his home to meet his two siblings and mom.

Omar and his family

His mom was beautiful and showed us the different products she sold from her home; the most popular products were bag juice (a packet of flavored sugar water that you bite off the corner to drink) and individual cigarettes.  Both products were purchased in larger bulk at retail price and she would profit from selling smaller amounts at marked up prices. And thats the way most people get by, they hustle.  Buy something here and sell it there to marginally benefit from the difference.  In addition to her perseverance, Omar’s mom also had integrity.  While in their home, Jason sat down on their couch and his brand new iPhone 4S fell out of his pocket with him realizing it, 5 minutes later Omar’s sister ran down the street and returned his phone.

Some say that Kingston is rough, but it still has plenty of diamonds.

Next highlighted area is Tivoli where a little over a year ago this neighborhood was bombed by police and soldiers.

Bullet holes made by 50 caliber rifles