Observing the development of an individual, a family, a
business over 15 years has indeed been an inspiration. Jacqueline was first introduced to us as a
nervous but enthusiastic person with product over her arm to sell. Discovering her situation: five children, husband who worked for THA
(Tobago House of Assembly) living in very humble circumstances (no running
water, no electricity, no transport, land not tenured) was humbling. We talked about possibilities. Bingy, Jacqueline’s husband collected seeds
from the rainforest and shells from the shore.
With these, they made simple jewelry.
They also tie dyed shirts and did some hand painting of t-shirts. One night, we went to a hotel where a pan
band played. We set up a table near the
band but the music was loud and people did not venture near. The next week we returned and set up in the
parking lot near the entrance.
Jacqueline began selling that night and has stopped since!
Watching her emerge has been amazing. No electricity. We helped her write the letters required to
secure the land where they had lived for many years. Once that was done, they were able to apply
for electricity. That required buying a
pole. $800 Canadian if I remember
correctly. The Rotary Club of Truro said
they would pay for this. This allowed
the children to study in the evening, to not have to light the kerosene lamp, dangerous
for the children to do! Jewelry sales
were increasing. Jacqueline was careful
to invest in materials while taking a percentage of her earnings to help with
household expenses. Jacqueline and Bingy
were resourceful! When Turtle Beach said
they could come to the hotel to display their jewelry, they told them they would
have to bring their own table. They went
to the dump, found two old ironing boards and built a folding table. Next, they built a car from used parts! Then
a pump and tanks for water. Her dream to
have a table where everyone could sit down together has been realized. They slowly added a kitchen, a washing
machine that could think but always putting children and their education first.
One year, when visiting, we helped Jacqueline do a write up
to acquaint another hotel with her product line with a request for her to come
to the Grand Courland to set up a table.
Demand has grown. She has a busy
schedule: Turtle Beach Tuesdays and Thursdays, Sandy Point Beach Resort, Grand
Courland, the Hilton, Castara plus she has opened a shop at ‘Sunday School’ in
Bocco (a popular Sunday Evening spot where they have a pan band, barbeque and
goat races at Easter!)
Visiting her family was an experience. Their home is a hive of activity. Their little grandson, age 7, greets us and
says, ‘Here to see Jacqueline? Come this
way!’ What a dynamic family. It was Joshua’s 25th
Birthday. The music is cranked and they
have been to Scarborough to buy a cake.
Bingy has made a big pot of soup (stew) and everyone is taking a big
container for lunch!
Near the road is a shelter where their son, a mechanic, has
a shop. The yard is filled with cars under
active repair. The next son up is
planning on going to Denmark next year to take Architecture. Although his tuition will be covered, money
is being saved for furthering his education.
The youngest son is finishing high school. A room has been added on for Jamie, the
younger daughter who is in her fifth year of teaching Grade 1! Jamelia, the oldest daughter is in England
studying International Finance and Trade.
She has had a number of scholarships but Jacqueline and Bingy have
helped her complete her CA in Barbados. The
youngest has just completed paramedic training for ambulance work in
Trinidad. Last week he took his
chauffeurs’ license needed to make application for working on the
ambulance.
The whole family reflects Jacqueline’s bright spirit,
creativity and motivation. An unusual
situation has been most helpful for the family. Jacqueline was born in England and came to
Trinidad when she was three months old.
She had no problem receiving her British passport. With encouragement from her many friends whom
she has met over the years through her business, she decided to take a trip to
England. The trip was wonderful. She says she was treated like a queen! Bingy, meantime, did his best to cover all
the resorts! Now, the problem arose when
Jacqueline came back to Trinidad/Tobago.
Where is your passport for Trinidad/Tobago immigration wanted to
know. None? So you are a British citizen. ‘But I have been married 27 years and have
had 5 children here and have lived all my life here.’ They finally stamped her passport
‘VISITOR’! Since, she has been working
on getting a passport for Trinidad/Tobago.
Her father, whom she has never known, was Trinidadian. That would be helpful but all lineage is
traced through the mother so she now has to find her father’s mother’s records
but the building that housed them burned, destroying the records. Knowing Jacqueline, she will find a way to
solve this problem but meantime the problem is serving to help her
children. Tuition for education in
Britain and Denmark is free for British citizens and because Jacqueline was
born in Britain, two of her children to this point have and will be benefitting
from her British citizenship.
As Jacqueline sits briefly recounting this, she shakes her
head and says, ‘We came from very humble beginnings.’ What a success story! Should any of you come to Tobago, be sure to
look for Jacqueline. She is a person
whom you will never forget.
http://www.slideshare.net/LydiaSorflaten/update-jacqueline
http://www.slideshare.net/LydiaSorflaten/update-jacqueline
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