Sometimes There's A Winner: A Story of Poverty, Injustice and Revenge in Jamaica

dollars.

CHAPTER 1

In the mid-nineteenth century much of the Ottoman Empire was ruled by Muslim Turks whose persecution of non-Muslims led many families wishing to escape religious persecution to leave Lebanon. An area known as Mount Lebanon, which was a part of Syria at that time, was the home of many who wished to restart their lives in a new country. No convincing explanation can be found to explain why some Lebanese families chose to go to Jamaica, but as a British colony, Jamaica offered the prospect of religious freedom, and appeared more attractive than America which was struggling to recover from its own destructive civil war. The earliest Lebanese apparently sought the protection of the British flag, and Jamaica was an inviting location for families wanting to establish roots in a new country. Many Lebanese came to Jamaica to join relatives and friends who had written about the beauty of the island, the wonderful year-round weather, and the attractive climate for business. Many families came to Jamaica from the village of Schweifat where English was taught in schools. Having some facility with the language spoken in Jamaica made adjustment to this new country easier for those who had even a moderate understanding of English.

It is believed that the Great Exhibition in Jamaica in 1891 which was promoted around the world as the most extraordinary commercial event in the history of the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies, and which attracted over 300,000 foreign visitors to the island, including many from the Middle East, did much to promote Jamaica to those Lebanese who were contemplating leaving their homeland.

At the turn of the century, there were many Lebanese families that had already established successful businesses and were contributing to the development of a vibrant entrepreneurial climate on the island when Joseph Faroud arrived in Kingston many years later. Joseph Faroud, his wife, a daughter, and a son arrived in Jamaica by ship on July 14, 1940. Unlike many other Lebanese families that had come to Jamaica earlier, Joseph Faroud felt fortunate to have been welcomed to the island by many of his countrymen who provided the needed support and foundation for him to quickly assimilate into the Jamaican society, and to establish business roots in Kingston.

Joseph Faroud began his business by importing and selling shoes, carpets, fabrics and a variety of dry goods to small shops across the island. He founded Faroud Distributors, and he developed a reputation as a decent and honest businessman. He took pride in and boasted about his ability to assess a man’s character after a brief meeting, and was always predisposed to see goodness in people. This allowed him to easily extend credit to his customers without hesitation. He believed that assisting his customers to become successful would assure his own success, and he went out of his way to help his customers become and remain profitable. Joseph Faroud’s word was his bond, and his handshake was his guarantee in any business agreement. His customers became his extended family, and he was always quick to inquire about the health of his customers’ relatives. His sincerity was obvious and real, and he was always ready and willing to offer help to his customers if he felt that a need existed.

Joseph Faroud was a spiritual man whose family had worshipped in the Greek Orthodox Church in Lebanon. Not finding the Greek Orthodox Church in Jamaica, he was influenced by his friends to explore the Roman Catholic faith. He and his family became members of the Holy Cross Catholic church in Half-Way-Tree, and as time passed, he grew to be a proud, devoted and generous leader in his church. Although he disliked wearing a suit, he happily wore one every Sunday morning when he served as an usher at the seven-thirty Mass, and following the service he would remain behind to meet with the celebrant priest for breakfast. He took it upon himself to manage the church funds, and was known to supplement the church’s bank account from his own pocket whenever the balance seemed low.

Joseph Faroud had no formal education beyond high school in Lebanon, but he inherited a fundamental understanding of business principles from his father which he applied easily and successfully in his new homeland. In the 1960s he began having health problems, first with diabetes and later with cancer. He slowly withdrew from his daily involvement with Faroud Distributors, and turned over the management responsibilities of his company to his only son, Abraham, who was about thirty at the time.

CHAPTER 2

Abraham, or Mister Abe as he became known, followed in his father’s footsteps by continuing the tradition of treating customers like family.

Faroud Distributors became increasingly profitable, and as the company’s reputation grew, it was sought after by foreign companies, primarily from North America, to get contracts to market and distribute a wide variety of children’s and ladies garments in Jamaica.

Mr. Faroud’s affable personality, coupled with his spare no expense hospitality, made dealing with Faroud Distributors pleasurable for visiting foreign businessmen, many of whom were fortunate to have been able to visit Jamaica for the first time with Abraham Faroud as their host.

Within a couple of years of Joseph Faroud stepping aside from business operations, Abraham purchased sixty acres of land in the Blue Mountains, his intent being to cultivate ginger for export. He quickly realized that his land was perfectly suited for growing coffee. Blue Mountain coffee had the reputation as one of the best in the world, and commanded high prices worldwide. He hired Maggie Chang, a lady of about forty who had degrees from the University of Florida in Horticulture and Marketing, to run his coffee business, and arranged for her to visit coffee plantations in Colombia, Brazil, and Guatemala to learn and understand coffee cultivation and commercial production. Within ten years, Faroud Blue Mountain Coffee won gold medals in competitions in the USA, Germany and Japan, and commanded the highest prices on the international coffee market. Abraham Faroud signed exclusive long-term contracts to sell large quantities of coffee in Japan, and Maggie Chang, the Managing Director of Faroud Blue Mountain Coffee, earned a reputation as one of the most successful business women in Jamaica. Although she was without any doubt very qualified for her job, Abraham Faroud’s friends and associates suggested behind his back that he had amorous interests in Miss Chang. There was no evidence to support any speculation about Abraham Faroud having an extra-marital relationship. Rumors were always particularly rampant when Mr. Abe and Maggie Chang traveled together internationally on business related to Faroud Blue Mountain Coffee, but there was nothing about their business relationship which would have been unusual or would have raised eyebrows if Miss Chang had been Mr. Chang. There was nothing that even hinted at anything improper in their relationship.

An attractive lady, Maggie Chang came from a prominent Chinese-Jamaican family. The Chang family had lived in Jamaica for decades, having arrived with other Chinese families as indentured laborers in the 1800s to supplement the labor market following the abolition of slavery. In addition to labor skills, the Chinese brought entrepreneurial talents which allowed them to establish successful businesses throughout the island. In addition to business success, Chinese-Jamaicans, like the Lebanese, made significant contributions to Jamaica, and remain a prominent and respected minority on the island.

Chinese industry and their disciplined approach to work, their care and nurturing of children and the emphasis they placed on education and on family values, set examples for the Jamaican society.

The few male friends who were close to him knew that Abe had an eye for the ladies, because a telling comment could always be expected whenever an attractive young girl was in his vicinity. He openly admitted that he enjoyed looking at pretty women with big breasts, but never hesitated to make the point that his wife was the prettiest woman he had ever seen. Although there was speculation among some who knew him, there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest that he was an unfaithful husband. Why would I go outside for yam when I have a steak at home? was the predictable response from Abe to anyone who might suggest that he had a girlfriend. Abe’s religious devotion, his general unkempt appearance, and his obvious love for his wife and children suggested that Abe was not unfaithful in his marriage.

Maggie Chang had been married and divorced, and had a twelve year old son, Neville, who was quiet and somewhat introverted. She had graduated at the top of her class at the Immaculate Conception High School in Kingston, and left Jamaica after her graduation to go to college in Florida. A brother who lived in Miami suggested that she think about eventually producing flowers for export on land owned by her family in Port Antonio, and suggested that it would be solid preparation for her future career if she studied horticulture in college. With a view towards a career in business, she studied horticulture with marketing as a minor subject and graduated with honors.

During the last two years of her undergraduate studies, she dated a young man from Trinidad, and against the wishes of her parents who disliked the young man’s domineering personality, they married after her graduation and moved to Port-of-Spain. Although her husband was of Asian origin and had a background quite similar to hers in Jamaica, she felt out of place socially in Trinidad, and she was frustrated by her husband’s objection to her working. About one year after moving to Trinidad, she had a son who consumed her time and attention. Although a doting and caring mother, her preoccupation with motherhood did not displace Maggie’s need for professional satisfaction. She was capable and ambitious, and felt that with the proper exposure and training she could successfully manage a business. Following an amicable divorce, Maggie returned to Florida with her son where she received her MBA with emphasis in marketing. She returned to Jamaica afterwards, and assumed the position of Marketing Manager at a bauxite company which had begun a reforestation program in the parish of St. Ann, and had begun cultivating Anthurium flowers for export to north America. Maggie’s original plan to start a similar business faded, since she was not prepared to start from scratch. The opportunity with the bauxite company provided the challenge she needed, and she set about to develop Jamaica Anthurium Hybrids into a highly profitable business. She was eventually promoted to Managing Director and controlled a workforce of over four hundred employees at three locations. She was well paid, and enjoyed her life with her son who never wanted for his mother’s attention and love in spite of her busy work schedule . Although she had male friends and dated occasionally, she showed no interest in serious relationships that could lead to a second marriage. Her Catholic religion was important to her, and church activities, her son and her work seemed to consume all her time.

Abraham Faroud went out of his way to get Maggie’s son involved in company social events, and even spoke to his wife about asking Maggie to let the boy stay with them if Maggie ever had to leave town suddenly on business. Maggie Chang had strong support from her own family, and although there was no need to accept Abraham Faroud’s offer, she was comforted to know that Neville could stay with the Farouds temporarily if ever the need arose.

Maggie Chang’s preoccupation was Faroud Blue Mountain Coffee which she managed carefully and well, and which she grew to become an extremely successful business. Considered very attractive as a younger woman, she allowed a few extra pounds to affect her appearance as the years passed. They were well placed, and she compensated by always being expensively and fashionably dressed. She presented herself well in the business environment, was well spoken, and made a good impression. Abraham respected Maggie Chang as a capable business manager, and made sure that she remained an employee by paying her well, giving her generous annual bonuses, and stock options in the company. He was satisfied with her management success, gave her decision autonomy, and never interfered. They saw each other regularly and had a good working relationship. They thought of each other as friends.

CHAPTER 3

Afavorite place for Mister Abe to wine and dine his business visitors was Shaw Park Gardens Resort in Ocho Rios. He spent the occasional weekend there with his wife, and over time he became well known to the resort’s staff. He had the reputation of being a generous tipper, which assured that he and his guests never wanted for attention.

The Shaw Park Gardens Resort is located on a hill overlooking the Caribbean and the town of Ocho Rios on Jamaica’s north coast, and sits amid some of the most beautiful tropical flora imaginable. Exotic orchids, tree ferns, anthuriums of different colors and a wide variety of hybrid hibiscus frame waterfalls that cascade down the mountainside towards manicured lawns on which peacocks move about gracefully. This little ecosystem supported the growth of almost three thousand different species of native flowering tropical and sub-tropical plants. Shaw Park gardens was a special place where a large proportion of Jamaica’s flora, some of which could be found nowhere else in the world, could be seen. It was estimated that over two hundred species of orchids could be found there. For this reason, Shaw Park Gardens was considered a horticultural paradise. For those who have only read or heard the phrase tropical paradise, this little piece of Jamaica was a perfect example. Coupled with Mr. Abe’s hospitality, the Shaw Park Gardens Resort never failed to leave an indelible impression, and Mr. Abe always seemed to succeed in getting his invited guests at the resort to share his business objectives.

Abraham Faroud worked hard, and continually searched for opportunities to expand his business operations. His business consumed his thinking, and he dreamt of eventually having business operations throughout Jamaica and in other Caribbean islands. He developed and maintained strong relationships with his North American suppliers and with his customers in Jamaica.

It was on a Sunday morning while strolling around the Shaw Park Resort grounds before returning to Kingston that Mr. Abe met Byron Reid. In his twenties, Byron was a young, muscular, black