Young musician, Kerron White. - Photo by Ross Sheil

Despite the promise shown among the young in the Kingston inner city of Bay Farm Villas, violence can always snuff it out, says social worker Marlene Rowe.

And Rowe knows this only too well, bearing two bullet scars - one in her shoulder and the other in her ankle - both inflicted in crossfire incidents outside her home.

But showingThe Gleaner around the community last week she introduced three of the many children who, she said, make her work worthwhile.

She believes they and their parents deserve credit and encouragement for their accomplishments.

"The children here live under challenging circumstances, particularly the murder and gunshots," she said. "They know the sound and the type of the guns and sometimes the adults speak so openly in front of them," Rowe added.

"I don't want any handouts for the children, but just an opportunity. Give them that and they will shine."

On that peaceful afternoon children call out to her as they run past in the street. Representing the Dispute Resolution Foundation, the Citizen Security and Justice Project/Peace Management Initiative and the Bay Farm Villas Citizens' Association, she clearly cares.

Little drummer boy

The drum kit dwarfs six-year-old Kerron White, but he is happiest behind it, keeping a steady rhythm twice on Sundays during services at Bethel Biblical Prophecy Apostolic Church. Kerron also practises three times a week after school at St. Patrick's Primary.

Quicker tunes remain a challenge for Kerron, since it's hard to reach the different pieces of the drum set, but this will come with time, says his father Gary. After all, he has only been playing for two years and doesn't even have his own drum set.

Any mention of drums is greeted by a smile. And why does he like them so much?

"Because mi can play," he replied.

He nods when asked if he wants to make a career of his hobby.

Gary is certainly confident that his son has the chops to make it in the competitive local music industry but, at around $30,000, a drum set is too expensive. But then, it could save the family money. Already Kerron is wearing out some of the furniture, or any surface that he can drum on, using anything that can substitute for the real thing.

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ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com