Bongo marries service with respect
Like many persons growing up in rural Jamaica, making something of their life meant going to Kingston to get a job. Howard Rowe was among those who made the decision to leave his hometown of Linders Hill, Westmoreland, for the capital city.
Rowe, 62, said that leaving his hometown appeared to have been the correct decision, but he soon realised that he had erred and returned to Linders Hill.
“It was 1969 that I went to town and started working in Newport West. But after I lost my job, I came right back here to my community and make my life,” said Rowe, who is popularly known as Bongo.
Rowe now works as a vendor, a vocation that he said enabled him to send his children to school.
“I built my house, and presently, I am sending my last boy to college, so I have no complaint,” he said.
Rowe cultivates some of the produce that he sells, but purchases most at the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay.
“I go to Montego Bay by 3 o’clock every morning to purchase goods, except on Sundays, stay right here in my community and make life,” he said. “Serving the people is just sweet. I feel good doing it, and I am seeing my way, so that make it even better.”
“This is my bread and butter, whether is the doctor, nurse, police, politician, or garbage cleaner, the one word is respect,” Rowe said.
Carl Rodney, one of his regular customers, travels almost 10 miles, twice weekly, to purchase fruits from Bonjo. He said that he has been doing so for more than 20 years.
“It is just how he deals with you. He is a part of many lives,” said Rodney, 70. “I pass other vendors selling fruits, but he just comes with a difference.”