“WE are friends of the street,” giggled Jamie and Kyron who are street children living in our Capital city who was interviewed by this TnT Mirror reporter in the wee hours of the morning on the Brian Lara Promenade.

Jamie, 14, who is originally from Sea Lots, has been living on the streets for over three years.

His misfortune came about when his mother died three and a half years ago. He explained that his mother died of cancer and his family did not want to care for him.

From left: KYRON, 15 and JAMIE, 14, at the
side of the street where they beg for
money to eat.

The teenager explained that he has a father who lives in Champs Fleurs with another woman and children. He disowned me and tells me that he is not my father.

Jamie who only had a Primary School level education at Escallier Anglican Primary School in Gonzales, Belmont.

Over his period on the street he met Kyron who is his best friend or “who watches his back” on the streets.

Kyron, 15, who is on the streets for five years, is originally from Jones Town, Arima.

He was a bit shy to speak but explained that he came on to the streets when his mother died six years ago.

Kyron said he never knew other members of his family and his father, only his mother.

Kyron continued that he has never been to school because his mother was very poor and could not afford to send him.

These two children are daily “hustling” odd jobs.

They explained that they also go to Beetham landfill and salvage anything that is sellable.

But Jamie explained: “Not every day you can be lucky to get odd jobs, you just resort in sitting at the side of the street having to stretch your hand out for someone to give you some money to get something to eat.

“Like what we are doing now,” Kyron stated.

“At night we sleep on Chacon Street downtown Port of Spain with another contingent of homeless children,” Jamie and Kyron explained.

Kyron explained that at night they have to watch out for predators.

Kyron who confirmed that he has been molested a couple of times by adult men that claimed they were helping him out.

He explained that these predators (men) came in all forms and fashion so that why I don’t trust anybody at all.

Jamie quickly denied being molested by anyone on the street and both boys also confirmed that some of the homeless children actually run a sex ring in Port of Spain.

Kyron explained: “They offer themselves to the predators to get money and from my observation they mostly cater for the homosexual community.”

Jamie and Kyron who wants to have a bright future said that one day they wish that they could wake up from the dream they are in at this moment.

Kyron said that his dream is to become a police officer while Jamie wants to own his own business.

Jamie added: “His dreams most of all is to meet his mother again because with her he always felt safe.”

The two never imagined that they would have to be living like this.

Kyron explained: “I always remember the days I spent with my mother; those days were great and I always miss them.”

Jamie and Kyron detest children’s homes because of the stories they have heard from children who ran away from those institutions and the bad things that have happened to them.

“Why should I go into a home and get the same treatment as if I am on the streets its best I live on the street until something good comes my way,” cried Jamie.

He added that “he knows of another boy who got thrown out of a home because he did not want to have sexual relations with one of the handlers at the home (name given).

The two then came straight out and said that they have money to make at this moment and I am keeping them back.

As we read this Kyron and Jamie are on the streets as they say “hustling” to survive imagine what there future would be in this country we now live in.