Sunbeam Boys' Home continues its mission despite challenges

The CPFSA cited systemic abuse in a report on the home, allegations that Sunbeam’s management vehemently denies and claims were made without proper due process. 

Sunbeam has since filed an appeal, with the case set to be heard in March.

Established over 50 years ago, the home has long been regarded as one of Jamaica’s model care facilities for disadvantaged boys. Its partnership with state entities, including the CPFSA, had been a primary source of funding. However, with that funding now withdrawn, the southwest St. Catherine-based institution has been forced to restructure its operations. 

“A lot of people don’t realize that the home has not really been closed,” Rev Desmond Whitely, who is the superintendent in charge of managing the facility.”

“What has happened is that the government’s children were removed. So we were exclusively taking children from the government,” he adds. “But Sunbeam is a registered charity and so what we have been doing is that we have been still assisting parents or assisting families who have boys who are in some need.

“What we are hoping to do is to transform the family through the boy. So if we can transform the boy and send him as far as his skills can take him then he becomes the catalyst for change in his family. It’s kind of breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty that exists in so many families. So at this point in time we are assisting up to 10 families.”

Whitely shared these updates with Old Harbour News after last week receiving a donation of food items from the Elevation Cycling Club, following a special appeal for support. He noted that some boys now split their time between the care facility and their family homes, with many choosing to spend more time at Sunbeam due to its more conducive environment. 

As the head of the home for over a decade, Whitely emphasized the financial challenges they face, with a monthly budget of $60,000 per child.

Whitely called on Sunbeam’s long-time supporters to continue their backing, while informing that efforts are now underway to resuscitate the farm to become more self-sustaining.

“But we also want to use this opportunity to reach out to the friends of Sunbeam – those persons who have supported us over the years – to let them know that you don’t need a licence to care for children. What you need to do is organize yourself and seek support outside and it can be done,” he said.

“The challenge is affordability and so we are not able at this time to assit more than what  have told you and even that number is given us a challenge because it has to be staffed, it has to be resourced properly. When you take a child you have to commit to certain developmental objectives that the child ought to pursuit and so we want to be in a position to do that.”
Regarding the ongoing court case, Whitely remains optimistic but focused on the home’s mission.

He said: “Whatever the outcome of that matter, Sunbeam remains active and open to parents who have boys that they need help. We are experts in behaviour modification. We have transformed a lot of boys across Jamaica. Some of them have returned in terms of those in transition and we continue to support and help them offsite and onsite.

“Justice is not a cloistered virtue and so sometimes I question whether or not we live in a just society because had we this matter would not have gone to court… because it is an injustice.

However, because of the brief we have received it appears as if our case it remains very strong; and so we remain optimistic but whilst that optimism remains with us we are being proactive in ensuring that whatever the outcome we still remain a place where boys, can turn up and receive some support.”