5 million people have migrated out of the Caribbean in the last 40 years. For some, leaving is the only option for financial stability and a chance at a better life and they are willing to leave everything, behind including children. And the impact can be devastating.

These children left behind become vulnerable to a number of issues from a lack of education and health care to behavioural and psychological problems. Some even fall victim to abuse and exploitation, including sexual abuse, child labour and trafficking. Though the goal is usually to reunite abroad some day, many of these kids are indefinitely separated from their parents.

So many children experience parental migration there is a name for it. Jamaican professor, Dr. Claudette Crawford-Brown coined the term, "Barrel children" in the 1990’s to mean, a child who’s parent or parents live abroad and send back goods in blue plastic or brown barrels. 

This problem has been overlooked and almost accepted as a functional way to live in the Caribbean. Not enough has been done. We need to bring awareness to this issue, work to combat it and protect these children affected by it.