Jericca Warren

24/09/2025

You know what really surprises me sometimes? It’s not the stories themselves, but the reactions people have to them. Whenever I share something even a little controversial, the comments are full of shock, debate, and disbelief. And every time, I catch myself thinking: if only you knew the stories I’m not sharing.

Because the truth is, the past holds more than just curious anecdotes or uncomfortable truths. Some of it is good, some of it is bad, but there’s also a side that is much darker, darker than most people realize. There are stories so heavy, so disturbing, that I’ve chosen not to put them into writing at all. Not because they aren’t important, but because they’re the kind of memories that don’t need to be revived. Some stories I’ve been asked not to share. Some elders just want to relieve themselves of the burden of those things they know and somewhat have been too heavy to carry despite how many decades go by.

I’ve heard things from elders that have left me shaken; there are accounts that sit with me long after the conversation ends. Sometimes I can’t eat after hearing them. Sometimes I lose sleep replaying the horror. And sometimes I sit there in silence, because there are no words that can carry the weight of what was just told.

So when you see me post a story and feel stunned by it, just know: that’s only the surface. Beneath it lies an ocean of history, memory, and truth.

24/09/2025

When you think of Roatan today, you usually imagine beaches, coral reefs, and the growth of tourism. But life on the island hasn’t always revolved around visitors. In fact, for much of its history, survival depended on traditions that may sound unusual to us now. One of those was the practice of child lending.

You read that right, child lending.

According to David K. Evans, a researcher from Wake Forest University who published the paper Recent Sociocultural Change in Roatan, Honduras in 1979 through the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History, families in the community of French Harbour relied heavily on this institution. He explains that children from poorer households were often sent to live with wealthier families, usually white couples who no longer had children at home because their own had moved abroad.

These arrangements weren’t official or written down, but they were fully understood in the community. The host family would provide the child with shelter, clothing, and a basic education, often more than the child might have received at home. In exchange, the child was expected to help with chores, provide companionship, or assist in small tasks. As Evans describes it, the child became a living symbol of an unwritten contract between families.

Poorer families were relieved of the cost of raising another child and gained some security, since the host family was expected to help them occasionally with food, clothing, or small favors. Better care for the child. While life wasn’t easy for these children, they often had access to slightly better living conditions than they would at home.

Evans notes that the agreements weren’t just about one child, they tied families together. Obligations flowed both ways, creating a safety net in a place where poverty and uncertainty were part of daily life.

Perhaps most striking, Evans argues that child lending helped soften racial tensions. French Harbour was a mixed community — white, Black, and Ladino (mainland Honduran), with a clear social hierarchy. By connecting families across those lines, these arrangements worked as a form of social cohesion in a divided society.

Still, this practice was never free of prejudice. Evans writes that children who entered host families were usually Black, while the host families were typically white. Even though the child benefited from more stable conditions, the arrangement reflected the unequal social order of the time. Evans also points out that these children were often swapped out as they grew older. Once a child reached 14 and was finally old enough to contribute real labor, they might be sent back home and replaced by a younger sibling. In his words, this showed that families weren’t just motivated by generosity but also by practicality.

By the mid-1970s, Evans observed that child lending was already starting to decline. The rise of the sh*****ng industry and the introduction of more cash into the local economy made it easier for families to hire workers instead of raising someone else’s child. At the same time, tourism was beginning to take root, and island families had new ways to earn money.

For Evans, the key question was what would replace this social institution once it disappeared. In his study, he warns that the end of child lending might bring more social fragmentation, as the relationships and obligations that once tied families together faded away. I can’t tell you with certainty how widespread or uniform this practice was, I'd heard of it a few years ago however, Evans’ account is based on his fieldwork and reflects what he observed in French Harbour during the 1960s and 1970s. This paper offers a rare window into how islanders adapted to poverty and inequality with creative, if imperfect, traditions that balanced survival with community bonds.

Today, the practice of child lending has all but vanished, remembered only in studies like Evans’. Yet it reminds us of how communities in Roatan once lived, negotiated their differences, and found ways to hold themselves together during times of scarcity.

22/09/2025

Back in early July, I got a message from Trey. I had only met him a couple of weeks before, when he and his lovely wife, Marichi, gave me a tour of their project True Utila. They were in awe of our history, our stories, and our culture. So they came up with an idea: an event that could shine a light on the island’s heritage, its biodiversity, its traditions, and its people. They called it True Utila. This year, it launched as a pilot, a first attempt at what we hope will become an annual celebration.

They have been building nature trails and planting native trees and fruits. Their dream is to share this biodiversity with others, to create a space where people can walk, learn, and connect with the island in a deeper way. But beyond the land itself, they wanted to create a moment, a gathering that brought people together to honor what makes Utila unique.

In the weeks that followed, Trey wasted no time. He came up with a beautiful structure for an event, drafted an itinerary, organized activities, and reached out to speakers. He connected with our Preservation Society. We arrived Friday, September 19th and were taken to Utila’s Methodist School where we donated our books to teach children of our history. We then, made our way to Utila’s municipality where we met up with the vice-mayor, Mrs. Fern, to whom we donated books as well.

The event took place on September 20th, beginning at KANAHAU’s Utila Museum. This setting was perfect, a place filled with history, where we could ground the day in what truly matters. The first speaker was Tom Brown, who shared about the museum he created and the importance of biodiversity on the island. He spoke about protecting certain species, the dangers of invasive ones, and how crucial it is to understand the balance of our ecosystem.

After Tom, we heard from Byron Brooks. Byron spoke about his book, his essays, and the culture of the Bay Islands. His words reminded us of the value of not just speaking about our culture but truly living it.

Next came Keila Thompson, who walked us through her incredible journey of writing and publishing her book. She spoke about digging into archives, reaching out to extended family, cross-checking facts, and making sure that every detail was accurate. Her hope is that the book becomes a reference, a foundation for how we teach history in schools and how we pass it on to future generations.

Then it was my turn. I spoke about my own book and the broader vision for the islands. I shared about the importance of developing tourism that isn’t only about beaches and diving, though we all love those too, but about culture. About archaeological sites, traditions, historical sites, and the work we do as a preservation society. My hope is that one day visitors will come to the Bay Islands for our history and heritage just as much as for our coral reefs.

From the museum, we moved on to True Utila. Here, the day took on a different rhythm. We had a nature walk, where people could experience firsthand the beauty of the island. Then came one of my favorite parts: the food. Traditional island food and desserts were served, connecting everyone to flavors that carry generations of memory.

To make it even more special, there was a domino tournament. Dominos have long been a beloved game in the Bay Islands, but in recent years, it hasn’t been played as much. Reviving it at True Utila felt right, like we were giving people a chance to reconnect with something simple but deeply cultural. And yes, there was even a monetary prize for the winners.

Local vendors were there too, adding to the festive atmosphere. One vendor in particular was offering ice cream cones, free to everyone, thanks to Trey and Marichi, who had purchased them in advance. They knew it would be hot. It was such a thoughtful touch, and the kind of detail that makes people feel welcomed and cared for.

The day ended at The Safe Spot, Trey and Marichi’s business and the official sponsor of the event. They also support the Utila marching band, who gave a beautiful presentation that brought energy and pride to the gathering.

At The Safe Spot, we held a meet-and-greet. People who follow our work on social media came by to say hello, to connect in person, and to purchase books. I even gave away a few books as prizes for those who could answer questions about the history, culture, and geography of the Bay Islands.

The evening closed with a gesture that deeply touched me. We were given an award in recognition of our contributions. It felt less like a personal award and more like a collective one, an acknowledgment of everyone working to preserve, protect, and promote the heritage of the Bay Islands.

This was only the beginning. True Utila in its first year already showed us what’s possible: bringing together history, nature, food, games, music, and community in a way that feels authentic to the island. It was more than an event; it was a reminder of why we do this work and how much it matters to share it. We hope this becomes a tradition, something that people will look forward to year after year, something that grows and evolves, just like the island itself.

Trey and Marichi don’t like to take credit but I needed to mention them, I needed to share how wonderful their efforts are. For a first time event, it’s was very organized and successful.

And none of it would have been possible without the sponsors who believed in the vision and helped make it real. A heartfelt thank you to: The Safespot Utila, True Utila, Dream Ferries, Eastern Harbor Resort, Carol’s Luxury, Kanahau - Utila Research and Conservation Facility, Bay Islands Conservation Association, Josie’s Cafe, Bay Islands Historical and Cultural Preservation Society .

21/09/2025

This really was an amazing event and I can’t stress the importance of it enough. This is year one, many more are to come🪸🌴

20/09/2025

Four of your Historical and Cultural Preservation Society members 🪸

Thank you True Utila! We are committed to the effort of preserving our culture and history.

20/09/2025

Happening live. Tune in to join the event!

20/09/2025

Have you ever seen a flitter sandwich? Josie’s Cafe has the best one I’ve had 🤌🏻 You can find them right next to the ferry dock before you get to the ferry’s office.

On another note, the event is about to start at the Kanahau Museum and Josie has a pop-up here! Come get yours!

20/09/2025

Today’s agenda is an exciting one! Come over and be part of this opening event that hopefully will be an annual one from now on✅

20/09/2025

✅👋🏼

20/09/2025

Excited to be here. Day 1 has been off to a great start 🌴✨

19/09/2025

IT’S OUT!! The first promo video to visit a historical site 🌴 Thank you for sharing our heritage, Dream Ferries ⛴️

If you’d like to visit the historical caves and sites in St. Helene you can contact Amazing Roatan Tours 📍

18/09/2025

This event is two days away and it will have speakers from the Bay Islands Historical and Cultural Preservation Society. See you in two days Utila 👋🏼🌴