As many of us aim to find our purpose, the memory of the late Betty-Ann Blaine, Convenor of Hear the Children's Cry, serves as an inspiration that we can achieve that long-term goal that is both personally meaningful and makes a positive mark on the world.
For many years, Ms. Blaine's stern, passionate voice reverberated as a consistent one among advocates for children's rights. In fact, it is safe to say that we could bet on Betty.
Whenever a child went missing or was harmed, Ms. Blaine was sure to come out firing on all cylinders demanding justice, and that society would simply do better for Jamaican children. That firing contributed to the establishment of the Ananda Alert, a system aimed at achieving the speedy and safe recovery of missing children through missing children alerts and child recovery activities.
Not only does the system serve to formalise and make viral the reports of missing children, but it ensures that we will never forget the child in whose honour it was named. Ananda Dean, an 11-year-old female who went missing in 2008. Raped, murdered, and dumped in bushes in Cypress Hill in Belvedere, St Andrew, Ananda's horrifying story is one we should never forget.
Unfortunately, there have been more 'Anandas', in which only the perpetrators heard their cries. At such a time as this, when children are increasingly turning against each other, we should take inspiration from the organisation of the same name, and 'hear the children's cry'. If we listen keenly, we might just hear.
It appears that some of our children are unhappy, and discovering the root cause - their 'why', will be the key to formulating effective solutions to quell the anger and bloodletting.
That Ms. Blaine has passed on during our observation of Child Month in May, is significant. As we reflect, we can celebrate her well-lived and purpose-filled life by carrying on her legacy of listening to and loving our children, and most of all, to be their voices. It is a purpose in common, that we can all embrace.
For who should they bet on, if not us?
I am Suzette Campbell
Note: Originally published on May 15, 2024
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