A mother who lost her son as a result of gang violence in neighboring Guadeloupe wants to use her experience to help deter the country’s young men from taking the same path.
Pamela Henry of Glassgow, Fond Cole – who lost her son on February 18, 2011 as a result of illegal migration and gang related violence, says her life has changed as a result.
On February 18, 2011, Kenroy “Fifty” Langford was killed execution style – he was 24.
While the circumstances surrounding his death were never really made official, his mother claims that he was shot in several parts of his body, including his groin, by
“French men” who were in a squabble with another Dominican man.
“I don’t like to talk about this”, she sobbed, “but I want to encourage the young men out there that this life has no benefits.”
According to Henry, her son was not only loving, kind and grateful, but she always cautioned him about his illegal trips to the neighboring islands.
“I would say to him, Kenroy be careful. Them kind of life doesn’t pay. Stay Dominica, find something positive to do and live your life”.
But the still grieving mother says “you cannot make children’s choice for them so I guess he made his choice”.
Henry said no mother should have to go through what she did.
“When I got the information hospital picked me up. I remember walking on the Roseau Bridge to go home when I heard the news and I couldn’t believe it. When I finally got home his other brothers and sisters were crying,” she recalled.
“The hardest part was having to travel to Guadeloupe and seeing the body of my son in the morgue. That almost killed me,” Henry said.
The Dominican woman is using the story of her son’s death to encourage young people here to choose another lifestyle.
She says no mother should have to suffer like she did, and “no young man should have to die the way my son did”.
i feel ur pain madam,however most of the young men and women who commit such act can’t read or don,t listen to news ,as a result the message falls on death ears.
My dear lady, I sympathize with you, the ones who are bent on getting involved in those criminal activities are not there to read your article.They will always continue doing these acts
So once again , hold on strong for the lost of your son. God will not cause you to carry more than what you can carry
thats rough. we only know wat it feels like when it hits home,when it happens to us. take courage mamy god will see u thru
MISS I FEEL YOUR PAIN. GOD GAVE YOU THE STRENGTH
TO TELL YOUR STORY ITS VERY SAD. I WISH SOMEONE
WOULD TAKE YOUR MESSAGE TO THE YOUTHS OF DA I AM SURE IT WILL SAVE SOME LIVES.
i do not have a son but i do have brothers and nephews .. and trust me this is not the kind of death i want for them .. the young men should learn from the life’s of others not only the way the get “rich” but also of the way others die .. my lady u strong enough to warn other women sons so I BIG you UP for that and may the allmighty bless your soul and your home
Boy tears in my eyes.I agree there are those who encourage their children in this acts,but there are many who sincerely condones it and will do all in there power to stop them.No mater how u raise ur kids,not all but some reall make bad choices,and even all the warn and protection their parents will do, they will still continue in their bad way,and say ,boy i love my mother.Young men out there,stop being hypocrites.If u really love especially ur mothers,stop breaking they hearts,stop making them cry.No matter who a or how a child may be,a mothers heart belongs to her child.Please stop children and turn around.Make the right choice for mommy’s sake,not yours.BLESSINGS TO U
Young ppl now don’t want to listen to their parents when they try to olead them in a positive direction. Who feels it knows it and young ppl should realize that all parents want what’s best for their children. Young ppl please put yourselves in check. The bible says obey your mother and father and your days shall be longer
may GOD bless ur heart my sister
We die how we live. Action-reaction. Thanks 4 d advice but 4 us caught up in this game its already too late jus gotta hold heat when its beef cuz em always ready 4 u hope u ready 4 dem. 4 da paper yout sure to meet their makes. N u right son its easy to put a bullet in a head when u aint thd one feeling pain on the other end
That is a very BAD taste of comment to give a greving parent.
When is NOT our families we put hurting comments.
Please Don’t do that, because we never know when ours is coming.
So DON’T rejoice on the lady hurt. He will ALWAYS remain her loving son.
@ Chien Lawe
You are no Chien Lawe. You are a child of God whom He created. If you feel that way, I feel sorry for you and have compassion for you in Jesus Name. Where there is life, there is always hope.
In God and with Him, there is always hope for you. Never give up and never despair. Worship Him, pray to Him and perform some acts of love and you will see how God will transform you and your comrades, be it slowly. Everything takes time. Be patient with God as He is with you and all of us.
I read the following in a Catholic magazine: “When you say a situation or person is hopeless you are slamming the door in the face of God.” Stated by someone called Charles L. Allen. He must be or was an important person (whether still alive or not) which is why his words were quoted. I love to read those words of wisdom. I take good note of them and pass them on especially when the opportunity arises.
God wants you and all others who do not pay Him homage and who are involved in crimes to turn to Him with faith, hope and trust. He wants us to live in happiness and peace, free of anxiety, at least, to a certain extent that it does not way us down.
You know, Our Lord Jesus Christ loves you no less for He is God. If you have not gone to Church, prayed or read/studied the Holy Bible lately, please do so. May God bless, grace and assist you. Life is worth living, fruitfully, happily and peacefully so.
The message of telling youth to stay out of trouble is a good one, but I have little patience for relatives who lose their sons to gang violence and then coming TV and radio saying how good and loving their sons were. The sons may have been good and loving to their mothers but would have no trouble putting a bullet into the forehead of another mother’s son.
Anti gang – every mother love her children no matter what. the lady has a right to show her son as a loving child. who are u to deny that fact. The lady is grieving, remove the extra pressure.
this lady unlike them oda ppl was strong enough to say that though her son was kind n loving to her n family i guess he did take part in illegal activities n she warned him buh he did not listen…. if u have a son and the son getting in a jai trouble outside of home buh at home he good n scene when sum10 happen to him n dey tlk to you wa u gan say….ma son was a good boy wiii
@ Anti-Gang
No matter how we may criticize them, we must remember everyone has two sides, good and bad in them. God knows it. His problem is that he got involved in bad company which corrupted him. He could not stay away from that driving force of human weakness. She warned him and he did not pay heed. Sadly, he met his fate. He may have been a kind son to his mother. Generally, parents do not lie in this manner. Keep in mind, he is her son and she has every reason to shed tears, mourn and wished that this did not happen to him and that he was alive. As a mother, she did what she had to do to inform those who are involved in criminal activities to stay away from crime. Some committed crimes and learned their lesson and are now living a law-abiding life. Hats off to them. They are to be commended. I am certain that it was a long road for them to return to a law-abiding life. I hope there is help for those who still continue down that path. You can help as well.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT WITH THAT ONE
I’m proud of you!
You do not issue blame – you accept that your son paid the price for his lifestyle.
Although hurtful, you can live the rest of your life knowing that you tried to be a great parent, but your son chose his own path.
Message to every parent – do your best to raise your kids, encourage positive behavior, do not condone negative, butmost of all – do not live with blinders esp when your child is goign wrong.
Do what she did – talk to you kids, make them realise the error of thier ways. But, always know that in the end – whatever bad decisions they make, it’s theirs alone to make.
I MUST SAY THAT MY HEART WAS TOUCHED BY THIS MESSAGE AND TEARS ALMOST CAME TO MY EYES.IT IS ONE THING TO TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND IT IS ANOTHER THING FOR THEM TO LISTEN AND TAKE HEED.I JUST PRAY THAT GOD WILL SEE YOU THROUGH MAM,AND JEHOVAH GOD WILL NOT HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE YOUR BEST.BUT THE THING IS WITH SOME OF US PARENTS WE DON’T LET OUR CHILDREN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS WRONG ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY BRINGING IN THE CASH OR THE GOODS.SO I HOPE PARENTS TAKE HEED CAUSE AT THE ENDING OF THE DAY EMPTY HANDED WE COME IN THIS WORLD AND EMPTY HANDED WE ALL SHALL LEAVE IS WHAT WE DO FOR CHRIST THAT WILL LAST.MS PAMELA BE STRONG, THE LORD PROMISE TO CARRY YOU THROUGH NEVER GIVE UP PRAYING EVEN WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR WEAKEST POINT.
@ WAT A TING
If she feels that she did her best in nurturing and counseling him properly, God who knows and sees everything will weigh them out and may not hold her accountable for the path that he took. Only God knows. Parents bring children into the world and are responsible for them until they reach adulthood. After that, they are on their own to make their decisions. Good parenting may help them to stay away from bad company and to lead a law-abiding life.
I do believe that parents should speak to their children from youth about the dangers of bad company and try to shield them while they are still underage. This may be helpful to them.
I think You should go to schools and by the wayside and preach that to our young ones.I am touched,you brought tears to my eyes.May God see you through….mother for child.Keep telling your story….it will touch more lives.
May the good lord give u strength to cope
Somebody help this lady here take this to the young people in person. Youth Division – help her talk to the young people in schools etc.
PUT IT ALL IN GOD HANDS HE WILL HELP YOU I KNOW ALL ABOUT IT MY DEAR SISTER .IS GOING TO SEE YOU AND HELP YOU JUST HOLD ON TO HIS HANDS.
wish the men who in them nonsense there could read that… they doe realizing some of the choices they make affects the people around them real bad…
and thats the thing those doing that dont have the time to sit n read they are always busy planning the next crime. i feel sorry i know kenroy very well, just sorry when these things happen.
Lady, I do not know you but I wish i could shake your big toe. While we want to blame our children’s behaviours on the parents, 24 is not a child. Most parents try to bring their children up the right way. Yes, children do choose their own paths in life. For those of you young people who have not been down this road and are making silly comments, time will tell. As a parent you invest so much and sacrifice so much to give your child a better opportunity than you had and they still take the wrong road.
When did she start to warn him about his lifestyle? Maybe by the time she started seeing what he was doing it was already too late.
Where is the father in the sad saga?
The chance of she talking a young man who is already on that road, into a positive direction is very small. It has to begin un the HOME at a very young age and our men have to stop having children here, there and everywhere.
Our men have to stop thinking having many children with different women out of wedlock is a measure of their manhood.
I feel her pain, but this is like putting a bandage on a gaping wound.
When we star being more family oriented with a mother and father raising their children, we will see positive results.
Give me all the thumbs down as you wish, but you know I am talking the truth.
You is a retard? Which parent wont speak to their child of not going the wrong way. And maybe seeing him actually doing it she emphasize on it. Such a silly comment
you doing as if children born with both parents in the home are perfect, i will hear about you, your children have no flaws, good luck to you
7.5 and annonymous already told you,but get the hell off your high horses
you train up your children but they have a mind of their own sometimes you talking in vain i know for sure the lady her two sons in jail she was talking to them even trying to let them acept jesus the one who shot and kill the guy was studing the bible when he was in grenada
My brother u dnt knw fif, so dnt be judgmental, tht is all ya’ll people do.. Growing in Fondcole is not no eazy road as a young man, trust me. the man saw it as a way out. smh….R.I.P TO MY FRIEND MY HOMIE A MAN THAT WILL ALWAYS KEEP HIS WORD …… U IN A BETTER PLACE, U N MALCOM AND JUSTIN GO LINK…R.I.P
anti gang you to sort wat makes you think two parent is so better than one?like the lady said you make kids but u cant make their minds……..and for your information the boy father died when he was very young and ever since his mom has been the mom and the dad….am from the same community as pamela and i think she did a good job with her keeds,pamo ur message is indeed a good one and yes i feel your pain cause ive been der
@ Anti-Gang
I did not give you thumbs down. I gave you thumbs up. There are times people comment sensibly on this Website and some give them thumbs down. It makes no sense to me. I get my share too.
What you stated is correct. If these mothers were interviewed by a professional child counselor and frankly discussed this issue and ask a few relevant questions, they would find out that some of the children did not receive adequate nurturing and others, probably not at all when they did require it from their childhood days, to adolescent and to adulthood.
Some children are also allowed to run around on the street which is where they make friends and meet with bad company.
Parents must take an interest in their children, their schooling and the types of friends they associate with. However, I do comprehend that not of all them are likeminded. Shouting at children and quarreling will not help them. Therefore, they do need help in proper parenting.
Dominica should have a government department to assist those parents and children during that delicate stage of their children’s life, where it is needed.
God bless you!
Madam may god help you
God bless you Pamo
some people think their children are better than otehrs, Let me tell u this, all of us have to pray for our kids rich or poort cause none of us dont know what life is going to bring, girls will not find husbands if is so things have to go papa
Thanks for the advice i will surely ensure that my son sees this article, nonetheless there are parents who know of what their kids r doing and encourage that kind of lifestyle
That is such a strong message! God bless this woman, and her son, who died in such a ruthless way! We’re seeing so many atrocious acts as a result of the drug trade; mutilated bodies, execution style deaths, etc! These guys are getting more, and more creative with their subjects; letting others know that they have no problem in dissecting the body! I hope some will listen to this message,,,,sometimes it’s better to listen, than act!!
Often times we look at people surroundings and just blame their parents for their poor choices, but there are many like this woman who truly warn their kids. Lifestyle, friends, quick living and free spirit brings turmoil, but worse it totures the family members left behind. I pray this lady continues to find the strength to share her story so that she can at least hopefully save one hard headed young man or woman.
SMH…And they all die so young all because of a lifestyle they think will get them somewhere. Well actually it does, it takes them to the grave. For a moment or two they have money and bling, but the lifestyle which goes with it is one where they cannot sleep in pease, one where they always have to be on the look-out, one where they always believe something or someone is after them (paranoid).
It is sad that parents have to bury so many young children, especially young men who died because of some illegal lifestyle. Dying by the guns these days seem to be the “in-thing”.
Let me admonish us parents to be the positive hand that rocks the cradle, because the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that run the world. If we take the time to raise our children well, the chances of them going astray is slimmer than if we let the “boyz” on the block be the role models for our children.
Once upon a time it was said that the “it takes a whole village to raise a child”, but things have taken a twist and and today we cannot and should not leave our children to be raised by the whole village, since the better part of “the village” seem to be corrupt.
As parents, we have to be vocal when we see our children going the wrong way. Dont tell them “be careful” in their illegal activities. We should ask them to STOP!
Iagree with you whole heartedly,we as the parents of todays children have adopted the ” spoil the rod and spare the child phenomena”.We have gone with “time out style”.That form of correction does not work.lets be firm,instill treasured values, be positive role models,ignore the hurting feelings they may express but feel comforted that in the not to distant future it will reap good harvest.
SORRY FOR YOUR SON,S LOSS.REMEMBER HE THAT WONT LISTEN WILL SURELY FEEL.
@ Watching
I reside in Toronto and the situation is grim. It could be depressing too when we hear of shootings and murders since we reside here and wonder if it is a safe place. One thing, Toronto is not as safe as it was in previous years. We had few shootings and murders. This commenced approximately 10 years or a few more years than that. Today we have good reasons not to trust and befriend strangers of all and not to open our doors to anyone whom we do not expect.
A few Saturdays ago there was a shooting at Eaton Centre at the Food Court which is a popular shopping place, a tourist one at that and has many eateries. One intended target, a victim died. I heard last night on the evening news another target, victim who was fighting for his life in the hospital died. Some innocent people who were eating were injured. It was real chaos there as I saw on the News. The murderer was brazen, considering the area where he chose to shoot them. The first victim was from Somalia, known to the Police. He was supposed to be under house arrest for other crimes. The other one who died was also known to Police; both involved in gangs. The murderer turned himself in to the Police. His name was only released tonight on the evening news. Could be another one who migrated to this country/city. It is easy for people to get involved in gangs. However, if they did their utmost to stay away from bad company this would not happen to them.
God Bless you Maam and thank you for your kinds words. There’s an old saying “how you make your bed, so u will sleep” he made his choice!
i agree with her alot of dominica man liveing dominica and come gwada to lose there life this need to stop
The sad part is the young men do not read dno they do not see or read these kind of advice.
Then let us tell them. Let us not sit by and watch them destroy themselves. Let us be our brothers keepers. If we do, then we can say that we did our little bit in trying to get them on the straight and narrow.
Courage and strength, ma’am. Mothers do go through a lot with their children. Even when the children are adults, mothers still have to carry a cross.
To little to late
U can’t make people choices for them
They shall reap wat they sow
Shut the hell up….IDIOT! There is a time and place for everything and now sure is not the time or the place for your insensitive comment. Go find work to do….SORT!
U that is de idiot. I know exactly wat I’m talking about. Many a times we see the youths going the wrong way. All is silent. As soon as something happens everyone got their 2cents to say. So again I say to little to late. Bye
VERY BAD COMMENT.
Why are you so cold and heartless? do you know how long she was talking to him?people like you need to keep your idiotic comments to yourselves smh
Your a strong woman and god will guide you through this.Lets hope other young men feel your pain and take life serious.May your son rest in peace.
Boy,Mothers does go through eh..No wonder their sons are over protected by them. Young Guys PLEASE OBEY IF YOU LOVE YOUR MOTHER !!!
Maam, God’s continued blessings and peace be upon you and your family. Thanks for your message to our young people; hopefully many will take heed. Young people always think that they are invincible until it is too late.
be courageous woman.you had the spirit to warn him of his illegale doings but as you said you can’t make a person’s decision.so sad you and the family are the ones paying this through the sufferings you are going thru.talk to the mothers fathers sons and daughters.it’s still worthwhile.may Jah bless and keep you up
I sympathise with you ma’am. May God comfort you and I hope for your sake and theirs that those guys come to their senses. God bless
Thank you for sharing your experience and advice, this is a teachable moment and I have taken the lesson. May God bring healing and closure for you and your family.