Hopeton: My son Denroy was three years old when I started coming from Jamaica to work on this farm. That was 33 years ago. It was a big decision for my wife, Angela, and I to take this job. But it’s not really easy sometimes to get a job back home. She and I met when we were 16 years old so we’ve been together almost 50 years. She raised our children while I came here to work. Both of us had to work hard in different places.
Denroy: I’ve been coming here with my dad for 14 years. I had a pretty good idea of what it would be like from hearing his stories and now, my life is much like his was I was young. I have two children. We’ve had a baby girl born since I came here this year. I can’t wait to meet her when I get home.
Hopeton: I’ve enjoyed working in Canada. I never had any farm experience before but learning how to farm here has kept me really active. That’s why I’ve been coming here so long even though it can be hard work – especially picking apples when the weather gets cold. At home, it’s always warm.
Denroy: I talk to my family back home as much as I can. Things are different now. When I was little, it was expensive for my dad to call home. There was no internet either. Now, I can talk to my family most days.