The Editor, Sir:

With more than 400 children reported missing since the start of the year, many of them possibly raped and murdered, I have been reduced to a state of paranoia. At my 17 years of what should be youthful exuberance, I am stricken with deep worry for my safety and that of my 12-year-old sister and eight-year-old brother, who are the formidable forces in my life.

At nights, I shiver with fear despite the warmth of a comforter. Nightmares of dying attack me. Like the plagued Israelites, I am now a fragile and frightened child, waiting on our Father in Heaven to send us that Moses, who will lead us across this bloody Red Sea which is soon to drown us.

Withholding information

There are those among us who withhold information that could lead to the apprehension of criminals, many of whom dine with us daily. We are allowing ourselves to sink deeper into an abyss of depravity. We have become infected with the disease of our own selfishness and wickedness.

With globalisation encroaching, we are doomed to wither to dead strands. It is not the economic strangulation that will stifle us, but our division as a nation. We are no longer 'Out of many, one people', but out of many, one evil; we emerge as our own monsters.

Stop being hypocrites

I beg every Jamaican to listen to the cry of an innocent 17-year-old child, who is depressed with the decadent state of our country. Jamaicans, stop being hypocrites, I beg you. Stop harbouring criminals. Speak up, speak out and don't be afraid.

"Together, we all can be strong, through love we can make right all the things that divide us." Today, let love, peace and unity reign forever and let us vow to preserve our dear Jamaica, land of beauty and let us turn to our Heavenly Father above and serve Him faithfully. God bless you!

I am, etc.,

SHAWNA KAY WILLIAMS

shawna201@gmail.com

Clarendon College