Marc Aarons:  

Life I grew up watching both of my parents experience financial hardships as the Jamaican economy took a turn for the worst. They say when America catches a cold, Jamaica gets pneumonia. One couldn't begin then to imagine what would happen following the tragedies of September 11, 2001. Shortly following the 9/11 crisis, I recall my mother telling me "you need to take the opportunity to leave while you still can. The world is changing. We do not know what world we will be living in one, two or three years from now." With those words ringing in my ears, I boarded a flight to the United States in pursuit of a university education. My hopes? A better life for me and my family. However, it didn't take me very long to realize that a college degree would not equate to the financial freedom I longed for. I held a variety of jobs during my college career and each left me with the same tinge in my mouth. I never felt like I was moving toward goals or making any real difference in the lives of those I cared for. Then, that f...Expand for more