COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: JAMAICA
AGE: 26
CHILDREN: 1
ORIGINAL OCCUPATION: FARMER/WORKER
TIME ON THE ISLAND: 8 YEARS

My mom lived here, and I came on vacation in 2012. I work in construction and now and then if I get any garden work, I’ll take that too, but back in Jamaica I helped my family members at the farms. I really like farming. I also like construction, especially working with the blocks. I built this house too. When we came to live here it was all wooden board. It took me two and a half years, but I kept replacing board with blocks, patch by patch. Sometimes I would ask a friend to help when it was too much for me, but I did the biggest part by myself.

At the moment I don’t have any work and it’s been like that since 2 or 3 weeks before corona even. What makes it difficult for me is that they’ll hire someone who speaks Papiamentu before they hire me, even if I’m better at the job. For example, two guys and I were painting houses, and in one day I had finished 3 houses by myself and the other two guys finished one house together. But they will call me last to come work and they will ask me to stay home first if there is not enough work.

There have been plenty times as well, where I worked and didn’t get paid or didn’t get fair pay. I remember a time someone asked me to help with work on a boat. I worked 3 days for more than 10 hours a day and in the end only got paid Nafl. 125,- for the three days. I know it’s not fair but there’s nothing I can do. It’s hard, because now I have a baby to take care of. She is only three months old. I’m thankful I can stay home to take care of her and my stepdaughters, because they don’t have school every day now. But it’s difficult. These groceries from the food packages help us a lot. You have no idea.

My message is that being able to speak Papiamentu doesn’t define if you’re a good person or if you’re skilled enough. We should all live in unity.

*unfortunately He passed away sept 2024 because of health issues

This Picture is painted on a wall in Otrobanda, Curacao by Jhomar Loiaza in co working with ADRA, UNHCR & Nl Postcode loterij to raise more awareness