Description:My name is Inez Scarlett and I am Jamaican born and of Afro-Caribbean descent. Although I am Jamaican I have spent the majority of my lifetime in England. In the early part of my life in Jamaica I went to Bohemia School in the St. Ann Wild Cane District, where I was born. I departed Jamaica and arrived in England on March 15th 1964.
Upon arriving in this country I was not impressed as the change in weather condition was so harsh. This had a big impact on me as it was so different to my native Jamaica. Reminiscing, I can remember observing the different buildings, believing that the houses were factories, as the smoke leaving the chimneys was unlike anything I had seen in my country.
Although I was unhappy about leaving Jamaica but I was glad to see my parents here, as I had been separated from them for a few years. After settling I found a job working in H. Samuel. As time passed I began to adapt to this country because my mother and father already settled here in England, as did my brothers and sisters.
I enjoy attending my ICT class and doing all the different projects with the Workers’ Educational Association.
Photograph courtesy of Veena Gogna