Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
Barrington James and wife, Houslin at home in Kingston. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
RESILIENCE. THAT word best describes Barrington James, 36. He overcame a childhood of living on the streets to become a motivator, businessman and a devoted Christian.
Born in Kingston, Mr. James' mother sent him to live with his father, John James, a building contractor based in Montego Bay, St. James, when he was five years old. His father died when he was 14, and thereafter his life began to go downhill. Over a four-year period, he lived with his two stepmothers and experienced physical abuse. This led him to live on the streets of Montego Bay periodically for four years. "One of my stepmothers told me that there was nowhere for me to sleep," he recalls.
To pay for school and food expenses, Mr. James often sold mangoes by the roadside on weekdays. "At 14 years old, I started working to go to school. At a bakery in St. James, I was baking bread and doubling as a sales assistant at the front." On return from work one day he saw his clothes on the verandah. "I didn't have anywhere to stay so I hung around in empty buildings, did odd jobs, then I got a job at another bakery and used to sleep there until I was told to leave."
NO FOOD
At his other stepmother's home, his clothes were put in the rabbit house, he was given no food and again had to sleep on the verandah. "My brother even sent a watch for me which I only wore during his stay; when he left my stepmother took it away."
Mr. James slept in old cars, on the street, on the beaches of Montego Bay, on friends' verandah's, behind service stations, in bushes, under a fisherman's boat and other places. He also worked as a 'parchman' for a peanut vendor, pushed handcarts for food vendors in return for food pay.
After sleeping on friends' verandah, Mr. James began sleeping at beaches in Montego Bay, behind service stations, in bushes, under a fisherman's boat and other places. "When I slept on the beach, I couldn't walk around with my clothes ... Even when I slept under the boats I had to get up before they came out in the mornings or they would flog me."
But he did not resort to stealing instead, he learnt to work for what he wanted. "I have never stolen a day in my life not even for food."
Looking back, he realises all the negatives were preparation for his blessings. "Twenty years ago, I was living by the mercies of God."
IN KINGSTON...
At 18, Mr. James moved to Kingston and met his mother again. With odd jobs he was able to gradually succeed. He now boasts an impressive résumé which includes several management positions and has completed courses in supervisory management at the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies on Camp Road; counselling and marketing.
"I think was destined for a greater good. I don't believe in giving up. I don't believe anything is unachievable," Mr. James said.
Now 35, he looks back at a difficult life and uses it as a stepping-stone. Mr. James notes that during the short time he knew his father, he left a lasting impression of being a disciplinarian. "Anything that I can associate with him is good. Failure was not an option with Daddy."
Mr. James now concentrates on developing a career in home remodelling and interior decorating. His company Beautiful Home and Painting Contractors - has been contracted to paint a few homes and apartments in the Corporate Area. He looks back at all of his jobs assured that they were all in preparation for what he now does. "All of them provided money. Being a baker; a handiboy; a pushcart boy - these were all temporary steps toward the big goal."
His wife, Houslin of six years notes that the confidence, resilience, eloquence that her husband possesses would lead people to believe that he had a solid background. "He is very sincere, charismatic and quite gentle and we hardly find men like this nowadays. He strives for the best doesn't always go the way he wants but tries." says Houslin James.
Mrs. James notes that her husband's his upbringing has impacted his adult life. Being a street child has made him independent.
However, it was Mr. James genuine love for God that drew her to him. "He is always witnessing to people and is never afraid to profess the love of God."
Mr. James dropped out of high school (Montego Bay Secondary now St. James' High) about two months before he became a Christian. Also two months before he became 16 years old (August 16, 1985 - eight days before 16th birthday). Today, the couple worships at the Pentecostal Tabernacle Church, Wildman Street, downtown, Kingston. Mr. James is Sunday school teacher, choir member, a part of the Men's Department and church co-ordinator for the Kingston 7 area.
"People see achievement in different lights. The greatest, most successful is living is for Christ. With his positive story, he motivates young people by offering advice and encouragement. Mr. James also hopes to be a counsellor. He gained some experience as a motivator when he took part in the VMBS Men Can Make A Difference weekly series that was held last June at Emancipation Park in New Kingston.
