Light at the End of the Road...

Jamaica is the land of beauty, inspiration, and desire for most tourists to escape to....

People live here, work here, and many times suffer here, but at the end of the road, most have HOPE for a better life.....

Attachment 14436

Family work together and take care of each other day in and day out...

Attachment 14437

Taking care of the little ones is the job of the older sons and daughters. It's an early life of parenting which sometimes takes away from a youthful carefree childhood...

Attachment 14438

A day on the beach selling fruit can yield the evenings supper for the family, but it can also take it's toll on ones physical well being. But in Jamaican, there will be no more food to eat unless she goes back tomorrow and every day after that....

Attachment 14439

A housekeeper will make your bed and clean your room, but each and every moment she might be worried about a sick child at home. You won't see that on her face unless you really look at her eyes and expression or spend the time to ask. Only then, you might understand and see her despair...


Attachment 14440

Sometimes by the side of the road young women wait for the school bus or for a ride to work at one of the large AI's. Long hours...sometimes from dawn till dusk with very little pay. It's what's necessary to help out the exended family.

Attachment 14441

Many Jamaican men work day and night even with children in tow...
Attachment 14442

All in a day's work ....it's about the children....
Attachment 14443

Young men will do what it takes for a few tourist dollars, but with a smile and a kind word...they have already learned how life works....

Attachment 14444

But every Sunday...young street workers, upstanding family, and young men and women who hustle for every tourist dollar will take the time for their elders and church, Every small blessing will sooth ones soul...

The dreams are real and most Jamaicans will speak the truth...

Attachment 14448

Every night like clockwork....the sun will go down and life will go on....


Attachment 14449

Tourists will always be a part of Jamaica....but for those who struggle daily, there is a light at the end of the road.

Thanks Sprat. food for thought...

you set a mood, respect

Loved it, thanks Sprat. Feeling the love.
Jah Bless

As they used to say in my youth..."That was righteous", "Right on"!

Sprat after spending 7 mos on the South coast, I came home a different person than the one who left. I was humbled, after living with, and among the people you have depicted here, I came home with many pictures and many stories of those people, it is almost like you read my journals and put them here on this page. I love that you show the human side of Jamaica.

Many pictures but mostly of smiling faces, most times posing for the camera. I came back to Negril and so far have maintained a greater level of understanding and love of my neighbors and friends and family here. Some might fall under the poverty guide lines, they work hard to make ends meet, to raise thier family, don't always have a dollar in their pocket, but they look out for each other and share what they have. These people I bonded with, these people who friended me are some of the best people I have been Blessed in knowing, for that I am Grateful.

People are People, give them Respect and it comes back two fold. But this is something I know you already know and it shows.We are diverse in culture, but on the things that matter we are the same. The People in your pictures could be my neighbors in Negril as well as the ones in my community on the South Coast. People of Jamaica, just trying to get a break, through hard work and honest living.

Your love for this country always shows through in the loving way you depict the people you share with us. I thank you and admire the way that you and your family do Jamaica it is always a delight and my pleasure to tag along.

Plenty Love and Respect
O

Tears in my eyes... just beautiful.

Thank you for posting this.

Respect

Sometimes it's the not so colourful and pretty photos which tell the story of Jamaica. Many of us see this everyday while vacationing, whether it be through the window of a car...or walking along the roads. We take notice, think about it for a moment then continue on our way...

These images make me realize what I love about Jamaica and why spending time on the island can be so humbling at times. They evoke strong emotions which I carry with me everyday, but it's what I choose to do with these feelings that might just make one small difference in the life of a Jamaican.:cool:

DoctorO...your insightful comments are always spot on...thanks for sharing with us. We do see Jamaica through the same eyes...

Thanks all for taking the time to comment...much appreciated...

PERFECTLY SAID~~ TY GREAT pictures!

Such raw beauty. These photos belong in a book. Thanks for sharing your talent and vision.

those pics are just awe inspiring, you are so talented!

Looking at these pictures literally brought tears to my eyes. Traveling to jamaica has humbled me drastically. I have learned so much and was taught that people should really embrace all that god has given them. While staying in the hotels and talking to the housekeepers i found out their salaries , yet they maintain a smile on their faces in spite of all their struggles. Some people work so hard and earn so little. My outlook on life has changed. I no longer stress the little things. I find my self trying to make it to jamaica yearly so that i can have a reality check. When i hear people complaining about the little things i just shake my head in amazement. They just don't know. Sprat your pictures are amazing you are a true artist, your pictures tell a story and it reminds me of the video by morgan heritage, titled nothing to smile about. [video]. I don't know how to post video but please check it out. It is inspirational just how sprat depicts her photography. Thanks for your talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwExJpNffhk

Morgan Heritage Nothing to smile about

a telling video, fi true, butterfly

Sprat, it is truly humbling to really SEE Jamaica and come home with a different understanding of life and how hard it is for Jamaicans. The first time we went to Jamaica we traveled pretty much the entire island except Kingston. It was an eye opener to experience and very humbling. When we came home and had to go out the next day to restock the refrigerator, I just cried all the way to the store looking at the highways, large buildings with corporate people, and cars full of people who have no clue about the other side of life. I continued to tear up in the store looking at the huge variety that we as Americans have and probably don't appreciate. It took me a very long time to adjust back at home.

Your pictures are very thought provoking and inspiring and you have blessed us and caused us to reflect. Truly a talent, Sprat, bless up!

Oh, and I love that video/song by Morgan Heritage....I have that cd ;)

Thought provoking, inspirational and eye-opening are just a few of the words that describe what we see on the island. These are but just a few of the images that represent some of the everyday living in Jamaica. The good, the bad and the ugly....

It can be humbling to say the least Schuttzie and Butterfly...and recognizing that is really what matters. It would be a shame not to feel some sort of emotion with such images.

I also love that Morgan Heritage...Nothing to Smile About...because it makes one think!

Jah bless....

nice use of black n white............very graphic

Beautiful pictures that do such a great job painting the pictures that the Jamaican people face daily. I wish more people saw Jamaica this way and appreciate the people, their struggles, their triumphs, and got to know the real people of Jamaica! Life outside the AI's are a lot different and unfortunately not enough people take the time to get outside and really see and ex[experience Jamaica!!!

RESPECT