THE EDITOR, Sir:
COMING HOME for those who live in a foreign country, means the realisation of something that has tugged at the core of your being ever since you left HOME. So, if you are welcomed with a criminal assault and stripped of everything when you come HOME, it feels like something in you dies.
On Sunday, February 16, 2003, I arrived at the Montego Bay International Airport. I was excited about being home; but my excitement was short-lived. In the bright sunny afternoon, within two hours of setting out on the highway, driving a rented car, alone, I was robbed of everything, everything, and left stranded alone on the highway between Falmouth and Duncans. The robbers who pretended to wish to help me (their ploy was to stop me indicating to me that there was fire coming from the rear of the car) drove away the car and removed all my belongings. Interestingly, the car was found within a half an hour, intact, without even a scratch.
This kind of assault/violation was well and carefully planned. They were 'going to get me'...a woman travelling alone with a couple of suitcases, coming from abroad... whatever it took. As I think about the event, I was being followed from the time I got off the plane. I was not aware of the level of crime that existed in my country. When this assault happened I wondered whether I could tell my friends who all had high expectations of visiting the country about which I had sung such high praises.
I have come to the conclusion that one of the reasons such crime has continued and continues to escalate is that so many have kept it a secret. We are ashamed and embarrassed even to warn our friends and family members of the possibility of becoming victims of crime in their beloved country.
This is an open letter to the public to ask you to alert your families and friends, who have gone abroad; worked hard; (much harder than they probably would in their own country) who must tolerate all the "additional pressures" that the immigrant faces in a foreign country. Alert them to the fact of the level of crime that exists in Jamaica. Tell them that there are rings of vagabonds who are waiting to take all they have; as they did to the man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. They will not only rob but they will leave the victim half dead by the wayside.
This is an open letter to those who have turned to a life of crime. You cannot win. The spoils you rob will not benefit you nor your children. Your offspring will suffer for your evil; and even moreso, some day, for sure, your Creator will call you to account for violating the rights of others; even your own countrymen and women and robbing this beautiful place and people of freedom.
In spite of the psychological trauma that I still feel, the financial and material loss, the irreplaceable personal things and the long road to replacing some important things, I pray for those who attacked me.
God's grace saved my life, brought rescue within minutes and provided me with supportive family and friends. I want to also thank the staff at the Canadian Embassy and Air Canada (Danny Soarez) for their help and understanding.
I am, etc.,
M.B.
Canada
