Saeed Campbell pursues social work degree after 18 years in state care

Saeed Campbell entered Jamaica’s state care system at two months old after his mother left him on a roadside, a situation he only learned about last year when he sought her out on his own. The Child Development Agency, now the Child Protection and Family Services agency, raised him from infancy until he turned 18.

Campbell said meeting his mother clarified why she had no place in his life, and that revelation strengthened his sense of purpose rather than breaking him. He credits his mother with giving him life but said he must protect his peace and keep emotional distance. His father is known to him but has played no meaningful role.

Life in care brought sharp stigma from primary school onward, when classmates and others treated children like him as troublemakers based on negative stereotypes. Some teachers offered guidance, and he singled out Nain High School in St. Elizabeth, principal Mr. Sheriff, and HSB teacher Miss Wait as influences who helped shape his path.

Now in his first year studying social work at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Campbell wants to use lived experience to push for better support inside state care. He is not on scholarship and said each semester’s tuition runs between $300,000 and $400,000, totalling more than $1 million across three semesters.

Since leaving the shelter at 18, he has faced fresh hardship after Hurricane Melissa left him homeless, though he said he remains focused on his degree. He also runs a tutoring service covering primary, high school, and home economics subjects. Campbell asked anyone willing to assist with tuition, guidance, or motivation to reach him at 876-801-6168 or through social media under the name Said Campbell. He has been speaking with his university adviser about scholarship options.

Asked what he would tell his parents today, Campbell said he loves them from a distance and would simply say, “Look at me now.”