NO LONGER OUTCASTS

WITHIN a few hours of Jabary Williams’s story appearing in the Jamaica Observer on Friday, the disappointment he felt at being ridiculed by people in his community for returning $100,000 he had found to its owner turned to respect and joy.

In addition to Jamaicans here and abroad who called the Observer offering to help the 19-year-old, executives of financial giant Sagicor Group sent a strong message to Williams and his community that honesty is indeed the best policy.

Sagicor Investments President and CEO Rohan Miller told the Sunday Observer that after officials of the financial institution read the story, they decided to reach out to Williams.

Reaching out entailed opening an account for Williams at Sagicor Bank. In addition, the youngster and his family have been presented with a weekend at the group’s Jewel Resorts.

It doesn’t stop there, as the company has also committed to sending Williams, who works at a bakery, on a training course to enhance his baking skills.

“There are a number of unsung heroes in our society, and a lot of times what we encounter is information and stories about all the bad elements, all the things that go wrong,” said Rejeanne Campbell, marketing manager, Sagicor Bank and Sagicor Investments.

“In a time like this when the economy is tough and moral fortitude is not where it needs to be at all times, it is important for us as corporate Jamaica to support those persons, especially young persons, who come forward and show true character in the things that they do. Even if they don’t always meet a reward like this, we want them to know that doing right and doing good is always the best practice,” Campbell added.

She said that what Williams did also sent a message to the country that there was still hope.

“In terms of our national development, in terms of where our nation is going, this is the kind of fibre that we would like to have appreciated across the nation,” she said.

As the Sagicor officials gave Williams the good news at the group’s headquarters in New Kingston on Friday, the youngster from Kid Lane, one of Kingston’s inner-city communities, couldn’t hide his pride.

“I feel very proud to know that despite all the pressure I stood my ground and stood up for what was right,” Williams said, adding that he also felt vindicated.

“The verbal attacks were so severe that I reached a point in my life where I was wondering if I made the right decision,” he said.

“Since the story came out, many of the people who used to criticise me are now praising me.”

This was evident when the Observer visited his community Friday to transport him and his stepmother, 58-year-old Maurine Wright, to Sagicor.

A large group of residents gathered close to his house cheering and shouting.

“We feel proud that despite the struggle we have a youth from out of the ghetto who come out an’ a show that all is not lost, and that is not everything that come out of the community is bad,” said one resident.

Wright said she felt proud to know that despite the fact that her stepson did not have a lot, he was able to uphold the values she taught him — discipline, kindness and honesty.

“Last week when I heard that he found the money, I know that he needs a lot of things and would love to help, but the fact of the matter is that the money is not his,” said Wright, who told the Sunday Observer that she has cancer.

“I am of the view that God will never give us more than what we can bear,” she added.

Williams, a City College past student, had told the Observer that when he found the money in a bag in his community he was struck with so many emotions, he was confused.

“Several ideas ran through my mind. I didn’t know how to feel. I was shocked at one point, happy at another, and then sad,” he said in an interview at the Observer’s Beechwood Avenue headquarters in Kingston.

Williams said he reflected on his own life and the struggles he was facing as a poverty-stricken young man growing up in the inner city.

He said he took the money home and could not get rid of the thought of spending it. While he sat staring at the cash, trying hard to ignore the voice in his head, he overheard a man telling his father that he had lost a large sum of money.

He said he listened further and heard the man describe the bag.

Williams said he went as far as inspecting the bag and found an identification card with the picture of the man who was asking around.

“When I saw all of that, I decided to return the money,” Williams said.

“After I gave back the funds, the man who lost the money gave me $100,” said a dejected Williams.

But things got worse when news about his returning the money began to circulate in the community. He was subjected to several verbal attacks from residents.

“I have even gone to play football and have been told to leave the field,” the youngster said, adding that he was made to feel like an outcast.

“To the way people in the area treat me, it has made me feel bad, but if I had to do it again I would,” Williams said, adding that he always tried to be honest.

His employer, Peter Bent, who had brought him to the Observer to highlight his case, said: “It is really sad to see the state that the country has gone, where an act of honesty is frowned upon.”

Bent said he was encouraged that Williams was able to remain focused.

“When I see things such as these, it makes me believe that all is not lost. Despite all the pressure, there are still people among us who have morals and values,” said Bent.

The Sagicor account is scheduled to be activated tomorrow and will be published in a follow-up story in the Observer for people wishing to give Williams further help.