For years, EM has worked in the rural, mountain village of Catadupa. Just an hour drive from Montego Bay—the tourist capitol of Jamaica—it is a world away from the luxuriousness of the country’s famous resort destinations. And while it may lack creature comforts, Catadupa more than makes up for it in the raw, natural beauty of lush tropical forest, natural springs, and scenic mountain vistas.
There is no mayor in Catadupa, no police department, no good roads, no running water, and no major businesses, yet it is home to around six thousand people. Passing through the town square are some train tracks that have fallen into disrepair, a detail intricately tied to the history of Catadupa.
It is believed that Catadupa was settled by runaway slaves in the 1800s. The land is fertile, so farming has been key to survival in this mountain region. In the late 1800s, a train line was built from Montego Bay to Kingston, connecting the east and west ends of the island. The train passed through the center of Catadupa, bringing a daily flow of tourists. This soon became central to the local economy as the Jamaican Railway Association employed many people, and many more earned an income by selling clothing and crafts to tourists.
This was the lifeblood of Catadupa for nearly a century until about twenty years ago when the train was suddenly and unexpectedly shut down. Overnight Catadupa was cut off from the outside world and its economy was destroyed. Ever since, unemployment and poverty have become widespread and crippled the people.
In spite of this unfortunate turn, the community is full of potential. It is not dying out. Catadupa is full of youth; in fact, it has been estimated that 30-40% of the population are school-aged children. While most of them are bright, healthy young people, local opportunities are limited. Families struggle to afford the costs of education, and if kids are fortunate enough to finish school, their only hope for a legitimate career is to move to the city. Its a saddening thought because the community is full of natural resources but has very little sustainable development to provide a future for educated youth.
This winter & spring, the EM Caribbean Immersion team will live in the heart of Catadupa and learn about the way of life in rural Jamaica. They will catch a glimpse of the community’s struggles and joys. Working closely with a local church that partners with EM to serve and share God’s love, the team will join in the life of the church and get to know leaders in the community. It is an opportunity to wrestle with what it means to live out the gospel in a dramatically different context than our own. As a team, they will learn from the people of Catadupa and help brainstorm about the possibilities for sustainable economic development in this village while learning to see and love the Jamaican people the way God does.
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