Desmond Gordon
Garwin Davis, Assistant News Editor
FOR DESMOND 'Soldier' Gordon, a local fisherman, the news that another boatload of Haitian refugees - the third in less than a week - had just landed in Manchioneal, Portland, didn't seem like "here we go again".
As he is apt to do whenever a new batch arrives, Gordon again went to his now dwindling wardrobe and food cupboard putting together anything - whatever he could - to take to the Manchioneal Police Station for the refugees.
"It had become somewhat of a routine for me," he said. "It's not that I can afford it or anything I just feel a kind of bond with these Haitian people and will do whatever I can to assist them in their hour of need."
That was when he began explaining what can only be described as a strange twist of fate.
"I was walking into the station when a young Haitian boy started pointing at me and shouting 'Soldier, Soldier'," he said. "Another man also joined in the excitement and that was when I realised what was happening."
Gordon went on to explain that five years ago, his badly damaged fishing boat had drifted into Haitian waters where he was rescued by a group of local fishermen.
PILOTED TO SHORE
"We were piloted to shore and they stayed with us until we got processed by the Haitian authorities and given permission to look about fixing our boat. This one family did everything they could for us was very nice and decent very nice. I gave them my address and told them that if ever they should get to Jamaica they should look me up."
He then went on to reveal the shocker.
"I couldn't believe my eyes," he said. "The said family that took care of me in Haiti is now here in Jamaica as refugees, the young boy had recognised me immediately which was why he was shouting. I am just happy I am able to give them back some of the kindness they showed me while I was in Haiti."
The Sunday Gleaner tried to get a detailed interview with the family but was barred by local police personnel. The young boy who gave his name as Ebert, from the window of the police station and to the amusement of the many onlookers, could, however, be heard saying "Soldier is a good man, we love Soldier."
Gordon noted that he would be following closely the developments as it relate to the refugees, adding that it was his view that they should be given political asylum.
"I might be a little biased because of my personal experience with this family but I don't see how in good faith we could send them back," he said. "They are fleeing from political persecution and if ever there was a reason for the granting of political asylum then this is certainly it."
A LOT TO LEARN
His friend and fishing partner, Tony Reid, agreed, while adding his own bit of philosophy on Gordon's experience. "Life is an amazing thing, nobody knows what tomorrow will bring," he reasoned. "It is important that we do as much good as we can in life as we don't know when we are going to need the assistance of our neighbour. There is a lot to learn from what Soldier has experienced, there is a lesson here for all of us."
Since an armed revolt against President Jean-Bertrand Aristide flared in Haiti on February 5, Jamaica has been receiving a steady influx of refugees from the neighbouring Caribbean island. So far, 103 Haitian refugees have landed off the coast of Portland, putting pressure on a parish that is already hard-pressed for resources. And with the United States already making it known that it would be sending refugees back to Haiti if caught in U.S. waters, Jamaican authorities have been bracing for many more arrivals.
"Jamaica should be seeing a lot more Haitians," said a man who gave his name as Marc Baptiste and who claims to be making his fourth trip to Jamaica as a refugee. "People are now taking to the sea, anything is better than what is back home, I don't think they can send me back this time."
