Windrush Elders
Esau Odain
Esau Odain, born on 30th September 1939 in the village of Esteban on the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent, reflects on a life shaped by both adversity and hope. At 85, he carries with him a wealth of experience, some of which have been tinged with pain, but also moments of personal triumph.
In his youth, Esau attended school in Saint Vincent, where education was all-encompassing. “You had to study everything,” he recalls, though his path would not lead him to higher education. His childhood, he describes, was a pleasant one, filled with the warmth of family and community.
At 22, in 1961, Esau left his home behind, seeking a new life in the United Kingdom. His journey to Britain was motivated by the hope of finding better work and a brighter future, common among many Caribbean immigrants of the time. His arrival, though full of promise, was also marked by challenges.
In those early days, Esau found work with British Railways, starting on the Monday following his arrival on a Thursday. It was hard, physical work, but it provided the stability he sought. However, it was not without difficulties. As a young black man, Esau experienced racism, both subtle and overt. A particularly painful memory is of a young child asking his mother, “What’s that?” a remark that struck him deeply, highlighting the ignorance and prejudice he encountered. “It was awkward,” he says quietly, reflecting on the innocence and cruelty of such moments.
Despite these struggles, Esau was not alone. He found comfort in a community of fellow Caribbeans who had already settled in the area, including a family from Saint Vincent who took him in when he first arrived. “You gravitate to people you know,” he explains, and this sense of kinship helped ease the transition to his new life.
Esau’s ambitions were simple yet profound: to live a good life. Over the years, he achieved this through hard work and determination. He raised four children, three sons and a daughter and managed to carve out a sense of belonging in a foreign land. Though his life in Britain was marked by struggles, it was also filled with moments of pride, particularly when he looked back on the family he built.
Yet, like many, Esau has also faced personal challenges. At times, the weight of life’s difficulties, particularly “evil” or personal problems, would keep him awake at night. Still, he finds solace in life itself. “I love life,” he says with a smile, an attitude that has helped him endure.
Esau’s ties to his homeland remain strong, though visits to Saint Vincent have become less frequent in recent years. However, his roots are never far from his heart. He has travelled to other islands in the Caribbean, always remembering the place where he grew up.
Throughout his life, Esau has drawn inspiration from figures like Martin Luther King Jr., whose dedication to justice and equality left a lasting impact on him. His mother, who raised him as a single parent, also shaped his character, though he doesn’t dwell much on his past.
Esau’s journey is one of resilience. He is a man who left home seeking opportunity, encountered hardship, but ultimately found strength in the love of life, family, and community. His story is a testament to the spirit of perseverance that defines many who have made the brave journey from the Caribbean to the United Kingdom.