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For years, 79-year-old twin brothers John and James Richards have worked as tradesmen and have tilled the soil as yam farmers in Wire Fence, Trelawny.

Despite how hard they have worked, the men, who are two of eight kids for their parents, said that they still struggled to care for their kids.

“I raised three children of my own, one boy and two girls, plus a grandchild, and it was no easy task, as it forced me to juggle my trade as a carpenter, building many of the houses in and around the community of Wire Fence,” John told the WESTERN STAR. “I schooled my children from the money I made as a carpenter and from growing yam and banana, but I can tell you, it was tough.”

And the experiences were similar for James.

“Although I only get one child, it was not easy, because my son gave me four grandchildren, and they are equally challenging to care for, more so now as the business of farming seems harder these days,” said James, who is also the president of the Wire Fence Community Development Committee.

However, John explained that he and James had to give up carpentry because of ‘bad customers’.

“In those early years, some of the people James and I worked for were not honest. They would rob us by paying us less money for building their houses, and there were those who promised to pay after the work is finished but didn’t fully honour their commitments,” said John.