More opportunities needed in Mocho

Mocho in Clarendon is oftentimes portrayed as a backward place. But, according to the residents, if given the right resources, their rural community will shine just as any developed space in Jamaica. Pointing towards a section of lush vegetation, Damion Robinson, a resident, said that Mocho proved its usefulness years ago when it pumped millions of dollars into the economy through bauxite mining. He told THE CENTRAL STAR that he, along with other persons, benefited greatly from the mining as it provided jobs for many persons in and around the area.

"When bauxite mining was going on, there were no beggars or even thieves in this community. Everyone use to benefit from it. Shop use to open late because people did have money cudda buy things. I used to work as a watchman and mi nah lie, mi did eat a food offa it," he said.

Mocho is comprised of little more than 50 districts and, according to Robinson, a lot of the residents are yet to witness water running through their pipelines. He also cited high youth unemployment and poor infrastructure as two of his dislikes in the community.

"When the youth dem leave schools, there isn't much for them to do except go turn security guards or farmers. Their other choice is to move outside the community. That's why the community is underdeveloped," he said.

He stated that with the erection of a training school and a few community centres, Mocho could easily be a model community in the parish.

"It would make my day to see a training school similar to HEART here because there is a lot of talented persons living here, but they are not certified. Fashion is something that can never go out of style, so, if is even a little ting like a sewing school dem bring here, the girls and boys can benefit from it. Believe it or not, the next big fashion designer could come right out of the Mocho Mountains," he said.