Prayers, tears as Japan marks 1 year since massive earthquake - CNN.com:
'via Blog this'
As a wall of water headed to the Japanese coast and death seemed inevitable, what were you doing one year ago? After 21 years of living in America, I decided to visit my country of birth, Guyana. This just happened to coincide with the celebration of the Hindu festival, Phagwah. In Guyana, Phagwah is one of the many religious festivals celebrated by people of all fates. It is more or less neighbors celebrating with each other.
On this day, what I would come to find out was a horrible time for the Japanese people, I joined my cousins and neighbors for a grand Hindu/Guyanese celebration. We celebrated with everyone who lived on our street and then walked a couple of miles to my aunt's house and celebrated with everyone along the way. It was a joyous time. After a couple of hours, we all had a hearty meal. Then celebrated some more in a different form. The next day I called home to the US to find out that Anderson Cooper, CNN Anchor, was in Japan on an assignment. What the heck was he doing in Japan? What could have happened to warrant a CNN anchor to travel across the world? He makes these trips only when something really big has happened.
I was told a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and a devastating Tsunami hit Japan. Details were sketchy as the data poured in. When I asked people around me if anyone heard about an earthquake no one knew anything. So I went to #79 Market and asked around the couple of people I had gotten to know, none of them knew anything either. So here I was with one of the biggest natural disasters in modern history and the people of Skeldon had no idea what was going on. I tried the TV stations, the only half decent reception was a Surinamese channel. They did not carry the news. I tried connecting to the internet with my laptop from a friend's bar. There was an electrical blackout. Then, reality stepped in.
This is everyday life in Skeldon. What happens at the market or on the same street that people live on is just about all that people are aware of. No one is really aware of any happenings outside of their immediate surroundings. Am I looking at this like an alien? Of course there are people who have TV stations with CNN and MSNBC streaming live all day long. They also do not depend on the mighty Guyana Power and Light for their power generation. Their back-up generators kick on in an instant. Business and private dwelling goes on. But is seems to me that there are a handful of people who have these lines of communications.
The few who are fortunate to have live world news coverage and know what is going on outside of their immediate environs are not apt to share that information willingly. Granted these people have worked and amass wealth or are recipients of overseas assistance. Either way they have access to what the majority of people do not. I applaud them being able to be informed and know what is going on. It would be nice if more people can reach up and strive to achieve at least these basic functions. But it just seems that there really isn't that drive or desire. No motivation to want anything other than a mundane existence. Or perhaps, it is sufficient to pass on the reins to the next generation the same way it was passed on to them. I am still perplexed how after 21 years so much has changed and yet so little in Skeldon.
On my return flight to the US towards the end of March, my first image at JFK International Airport was of the Japanese earthquake on an airport TV. My experience a year ago has driven me to seek ways of reaching back into Skeldon. I am of a strong opinion that raising awareness and creating a international dialogue is a good start in bringing progress to Skeldon. Yes, the people who connect over the internet may already be on their way to heightened awareness. But maybe through a simple conversation and personal interaction with someone who is not bounded by the walls of Skeldon and Guyana there can be stirring of curiosity. Just maybe two groups of people can reach across continents and be as one. At least there can be a sharing of ideas. Maybe this conversation can spill into a person who does not have information at their finger tips and a whole chain effect can take place. Wishful thinking? Maybe, but we can hope.
As I sit today and reflect on one of the world's largest natural disaster. It is enlightening to have access to all these images and commentary. I was just moved by a speech from the Emperor of Japan who is 79 years old, 2 days ago he had heart surgery. His speech was at the exact time one year ago 14:46 Hrs. (Japan time), being broadcasted live on CNN. The wonders of 24 hr news media. Had I not have access to information would I even bother to care? My heart and prayers go to out to the Japanese people and all who suffered and will continue to suffer for years to come from this catastrophic incident. May you find the strength to move forward.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Child Abuse & Neglect: Recognizing and Preventing Child Abuse
Child Abuse & Neglect: Recognizing and Preventing Child Abuse:
'via Blog this'
The most important step in addressing this escalating break down of our Guyanese society is recognizing that this cycle can be disastrous for our future generations. While physical abuse is very obvious, there are emotional and sexual abuse which are more latent.
The long term effects of this vicious cycle are being seen today. Take a look around and notice the broken relationships, lack of trust, low self esteem, and roller coaster emotional issues. Could all of these perils of society be prevented, if the signs were identified and addressed at an earlier age?
Often times, we see only the bruises and scars of physical abuse. While a generation ago we were made to believe that caning was appropriate at school and home, that has since changed. There are still some who remain that hitting a child garners the highest results of disciplining. Or is it physical abuse? Can we recognize that this form of discipline is detrimental to child development? What about the abusive language we use? "You good for nothing." We are instilling in our developing minds that they are not worth anything. How can we expect them to grow up and be brave to say no to an abuser? Child neglect plays a big role in children's self worth. A parent may not be physically able to take care of a child, older siblings may be left as parents. Or adults may be in depression, drug addiction, or alcoholism and neglect the care of their children. All of these instances are types of child abuse.
Child sexual abuse is fastly becoming the norm. It seems like everyday there is another report of a grown man with an under age girl. What about sexual abuse with boys? Are they being reported? Is the shame too much? The most frightening thing is, child sexual abuse happens at the hands of a close relative or a trusted person. The person who builds trust and has free access to the child are the ones who commit these predatory acts. Child sexual abuse is not only physical. There are elements of early exposure to sexual materials and situation that can be very harmful to a child's tender mind. The emotional burden of shame and guilt of a child can lead to suppression for a lifetime. Some people carry these acts for a lifetime. The burden and pain can shape their entire existence.
If this cycle is not broken soon, there may well be another generation of tortured souls. It is imperative that adults take stock in themselves and recognize their actions and how it affects their kids. Learn what is age appropriate material to expose your child to. Be responsible and learn proper parenting skills. Times are changing. How your parents raised you may not be the only way to raise your child. Break the cycle. Change is good. Reach out for help groups, talk to someone. You would be surprised how much help is out there if you only reach. Be the adult and embrace your child if this horrible act has happened to them. This is not the time for an interrogation or a who say, them say, and what you as an untrained professional can prove or not. This is the time to support your child, listen, love, and comfort. Reassure and keep your child safe.
'via Blog this'
The most important step in addressing this escalating break down of our Guyanese society is recognizing that this cycle can be disastrous for our future generations. While physical abuse is very obvious, there are emotional and sexual abuse which are more latent.
The long term effects of this vicious cycle are being seen today. Take a look around and notice the broken relationships, lack of trust, low self esteem, and roller coaster emotional issues. Could all of these perils of society be prevented, if the signs were identified and addressed at an earlier age?
Often times, we see only the bruises and scars of physical abuse. While a generation ago we were made to believe that caning was appropriate at school and home, that has since changed. There are still some who remain that hitting a child garners the highest results of disciplining. Or is it physical abuse? Can we recognize that this form of discipline is detrimental to child development? What about the abusive language we use? "You good for nothing." We are instilling in our developing minds that they are not worth anything. How can we expect them to grow up and be brave to say no to an abuser? Child neglect plays a big role in children's self worth. A parent may not be physically able to take care of a child, older siblings may be left as parents. Or adults may be in depression, drug addiction, or alcoholism and neglect the care of their children. All of these instances are types of child abuse.
Child sexual abuse is fastly becoming the norm. It seems like everyday there is another report of a grown man with an under age girl. What about sexual abuse with boys? Are they being reported? Is the shame too much? The most frightening thing is, child sexual abuse happens at the hands of a close relative or a trusted person. The person who builds trust and has free access to the child are the ones who commit these predatory acts. Child sexual abuse is not only physical. There are elements of early exposure to sexual materials and situation that can be very harmful to a child's tender mind. The emotional burden of shame and guilt of a child can lead to suppression for a lifetime. Some people carry these acts for a lifetime. The burden and pain can shape their entire existence.
If this cycle is not broken soon, there may well be another generation of tortured souls. It is imperative that adults take stock in themselves and recognize their actions and how it affects their kids. Learn what is age appropriate material to expose your child to. Be responsible and learn proper parenting skills. Times are changing. How your parents raised you may not be the only way to raise your child. Break the cycle. Change is good. Reach out for help groups, talk to someone. You would be surprised how much help is out there if you only reach. Be the adult and embrace your child if this horrible act has happened to them. This is not the time for an interrogation or a who say, them say, and what you as an untrained professional can prove or not. This is the time to support your child, listen, love, and comfort. Reassure and keep your child safe.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Fund Drive for Bebi Devi
We, New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission, have been monitoring the dire situation of Bebi Devi (name used to secure privacy). This Guyanese young lady is a victim of Domestic Violence in the US. In a nutshell, saving the glory details to ensure privacy and legality, her husband has been violent to her and their 2 kids, 2 and 3 year olds for five years! Bebi Devi has finally gathered the strength to walk out with her kids. She has been living in a shelter for over a month now.
The kids were removed and granted custody to the father. Being that there are no kids, the shelter has notified Bebi Devi that she is no longer eligible for benefits including food and housing. She MUST remove herself from the property in the near future.
Most of this mission’s outreach has been for Guyanese living in Guyana. Our mission has decided to partner with Skeldon Conversation Facebook Group and envelope this situation with open arms of comfort and generosity. We are asking for the true outreach and graciousness of our sponsors and donors to once again bind together for the greater good. Please reach into your soul and help us render assistance to this daughter of Guyana, who has no immediate family in the US, but our extended bond of fellow country people. Our Paypal account is ready to accept your kindness.
Please go to our website , www.njaryasamaj.com, and click on the Donations tab, scroll down and click on PayPal. In the Add Message field please type Bebi Devi.
100% of your contributions will go directly to assisting Bebi Devi in getting on the path of dependence.
Sincerely,
Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President Eric Khadaroo, SC Group Admin.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Mother recounts horrible tale of sexually-molested child
Reposted from http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2011/12/29/mother-recounts-horrible-tale-of-sexually-molested-child/
The mother of the five year- old girl from Berbice who was raped earlier this week said her daughter is in stable condition at the Intensive Care Unit of a Berbice hospital. The mother said that her daughter began responding to relatives, eating regularly and showing encouraging signs of recovery following emergency procedures to save her life last Friday night.
She explained that the profuse bleeding from the child’s genitals has been substantially reduced, and the child seemed to be regaining strength but complains of pain in the abdomen, legs and genitals. Several relatives who showed up to see the young child could not help but register their rage over the atrocity, and called for a speedy and robust investigation into the crime.
The child’s mother recalled the horror of her daughter being taken from her home and sexually molested.
She said on the night in question, she, the child and her two- year- old son were next door at her mother- in- law’s house waiting for her husband, who lives and work as a farmhand in a Caribbean island, to call them for the holidays. The children got impatient, so she took them back to their house, helped them settle on a mattress on the floor, and then returned next door after securing the door from the outside with a ‘ keylie’ [ small piece of wood attached to a post by a nail to secure door or window]. Her eldest daughter, the six- year- old, was spending the night with her maternal grandmother some distance away in the same village.
The mother said she later checked on the children and they were resting where she had left them. Sometime around midnight, she decided to go home having grown tired herself, but to her surprise when she entered the house and looked in on the children, the five- year- old was missing.
Frantic over her daughter’s disappearance, the woman woke up her husband’s relatives and the neighbours, but no one had seen the child. Eventually after much frustration and anxiety, the Reliance Police Station was called to lend support, but to no avail.
“ I called Reliance Police Station … they say, ‘ How long she missing?’; I say ‘ Not too long from now but she is five years old’. They ask me which part I think she gone, I say ‘ Me ain’t know’… they say ‘ Arite report the matter tomorrow morning, if she ain’t come home’… I say ‘ She is a five year- old, I can’t wait fo she come home … I think she sleep walking’.” The search continued with the aid of a light and persons calling out for the child. According to the mother, about several house lots away, in the darkness, in some thick vegetation, she heard the voice of her daughter responding to her call.
The mother said she started to shout out the child’s name and following the response she ran into a very thick clump of vegetation aback the village alone to rescue the child. She stated that the men who were with her were afraid to venture into the bushes, and did not go into them, even though she pleaded with them.
The child was found standing with her clothing intact but drenched in mud and water, not knowing where she was in the darkness.
The child was eventually taken home, cleaned up, and put to bed. All this while she did not complain of pain and the mother felt that she had been walking in her sleep even though that had never happened before.
Sometime after, the child’s father called and the mother related what had happened.
The woman said she then decided to spend the night at her mother- in- law’s house.Subsequently, the child asked to go to the bathroom to urine, and it was then that blood started pouring down her legs. It was at this time they family realised something horrible had happened.
“ I went upstairs, pull down back she pants and put she pun de sponge and me tell she ‘ open you foot easy, let mommy check’ and when I checked she vagina bus up,” the mother related.
While rushing the child to the hospital, the mother questioned her, and she told her about a man throwing her down in the bushes earlier and drenching her in mud and water.
The molested child had to receive an undisclosed amount of blood, and sustained severe physical and emotional scars. The mother related that on Wednesday the child was talking but seemed stressed.
Even though the mother of the child has named someone she suspected may have committed the crime, police said there has been no breakthrough. Police said nine persons were detained, but had to be released due to the lack of credible and substantial evidence to place any charge.
What would you do if this happens to your child?
The mother of the five year- old girl from Berbice who was raped earlier this week said her daughter is in stable condition at the Intensive Care Unit of a Berbice hospital. The mother said that her daughter began responding to relatives, eating regularly and showing encouraging signs of recovery following emergency procedures to save her life last Friday night.
She explained that the profuse bleeding from the child’s genitals has been substantially reduced, and the child seemed to be regaining strength but complains of pain in the abdomen, legs and genitals. Several relatives who showed up to see the young child could not help but register their rage over the atrocity, and called for a speedy and robust investigation into the crime.
The child’s mother recalled the horror of her daughter being taken from her home and sexually molested.
She said on the night in question, she, the child and her two- year- old son were next door at her mother- in- law’s house waiting for her husband, who lives and work as a farmhand in a Caribbean island, to call them for the holidays. The children got impatient, so she took them back to their house, helped them settle on a mattress on the floor, and then returned next door after securing the door from the outside with a ‘ keylie’ [ small piece of wood attached to a post by a nail to secure door or window]. Her eldest daughter, the six- year- old, was spending the night with her maternal grandmother some distance away in the same village.
The mother said she later checked on the children and they were resting where she had left them. Sometime around midnight, she decided to go home having grown tired herself, but to her surprise when she entered the house and looked in on the children, the five- year- old was missing.
Frantic over her daughter’s disappearance, the woman woke up her husband’s relatives and the neighbours, but no one had seen the child. Eventually after much frustration and anxiety, the Reliance Police Station was called to lend support, but to no avail.
“ I called Reliance Police Station … they say, ‘ How long she missing?’; I say ‘ Not too long from now but she is five years old’. They ask me which part I think she gone, I say ‘ Me ain’t know’… they say ‘ Arite report the matter tomorrow morning, if she ain’t come home’… I say ‘ She is a five year- old, I can’t wait fo she come home … I think she sleep walking’.” The search continued with the aid of a light and persons calling out for the child. According to the mother, about several house lots away, in the darkness, in some thick vegetation, she heard the voice of her daughter responding to her call.
The mother said she started to shout out the child’s name and following the response she ran into a very thick clump of vegetation aback the village alone to rescue the child. She stated that the men who were with her were afraid to venture into the bushes, and did not go into them, even though she pleaded with them.
The child was found standing with her clothing intact but drenched in mud and water, not knowing where she was in the darkness.
The child was eventually taken home, cleaned up, and put to bed. All this while she did not complain of pain and the mother felt that she had been walking in her sleep even though that had never happened before.
Sometime after, the child’s father called and the mother related what had happened.
The woman said she then decided to spend the night at her mother- in- law’s house.Subsequently, the child asked to go to the bathroom to urine, and it was then that blood started pouring down her legs. It was at this time they family realised something horrible had happened.
“ I went upstairs, pull down back she pants and put she pun de sponge and me tell she ‘ open you foot easy, let mommy check’ and when I checked she vagina bus up,” the mother related.
While rushing the child to the hospital, the mother questioned her, and she told her about a man throwing her down in the bushes earlier and drenching her in mud and water.
The molested child had to receive an undisclosed amount of blood, and sustained severe physical and emotional scars. The mother related that on Wednesday the child was talking but seemed stressed.
Even though the mother of the child has named someone she suspected may have committed the crime, police said there has been no breakthrough. Police said nine persons were detained, but had to be released due to the lack of credible and substantial evidence to place any charge.
What would you do if this happens to your child?
Thursday, December 15, 2011
GDF, China sign $ 157M accord
Chief- of- Staff Commodore Gary Best and Chinese Ambassador Yu Wenzhe on Wednesday signed a military aid agreement valued five million Yuan ( G$ 157,032,600).
According to a GDF release, the aid reflects similar assistance provided over the years, geared at enhancing the GDF's defence capabilities. At the simple ceremony, Commodore Best highlighted the good relations which the Guyana Defence Force and the People's Liberation Army of China have enjoyed.
He said the force continues to be grateful for the assistance it has received and pledged commitment to the bilateral arrangements the two militaries share.
Ambassador Yu Wenzhe described the bilateral relationship between the two militaries as excellent, particularly in the areas of training and high- level seminars.
He added that this recent aid is another gesture of friendship and solidarity which Guyana and China enjoy.
According to a GDF release, the aid reflects similar assistance provided over the years, geared at enhancing the GDF's defence capabilities. At the simple ceremony, Commodore Best highlighted the good relations which the Guyana Defence Force and the People's Liberation Army of China have enjoyed.
He said the force continues to be grateful for the assistance it has received and pledged commitment to the bilateral arrangements the two militaries share.
Ambassador Yu Wenzhe described the bilateral relationship between the two militaries as excellent, particularly in the areas of training and high- level seminars.
He added that this recent aid is another gesture of friendship and solidarity which Guyana and China enjoy.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Lalwa is finally Silenced
On this auspicious day, a man who is known as a loud mouth, bully, thief, vagabond, general trouble maker is going to meet his maker. On Saturday 12/10/2011, he lost a long battle with cancer. Some may say he is going to get what is coming to him.
Lalwa is guilty as charged. But the man I know is not the same person. He lived opposite my home in Line Path A. As a little boy growing up, he was always there. There were times he disappeared, those were the times spent in jail. His yard was fertile with mango, cherry, genip, guava, and a coconut tree. Being the “Bad man” he was no kid dared go pick his fruits. I was allowed. Actually, he picked and gave me those fruits. If a kid was accompanied by me, we could raid his trees. He was kind and gentle to many people who lived on our street and fiercely protective of all.
I clearly remembered one incident when there was a group of men going around every night creating havoc and mayhem, stealing peoples belongs. One such night, these men made the dreaded mistake of coming into our yard. Our old dog, Rio, barked his little old head off. Lalwa emerged from his house with his weapon of choice, a cane cutter’s cutlass. He was a one man army. Most of that night was a blur, but when he came back he was covered in blood, not his. Needless to say during the crazy 70s and 80s not a single soul bothered us or anyone on our street ever again.
For his constant vigil over my family and our neighbors I thank him. Today Ram, as was his given name, you depart this earth and you knew this day would come. You have lived your life by your own ways. More people should have gotten to know the side of you that I knew. It has been 22 years since I ate a fruit from your yard, but I will always remember the kindness and protection you bestowed upon me. Rest in Peace my old Protector and friend, rest in peace.
Lalwa is guilty as charged. But the man I know is not the same person. He lived opposite my home in Line Path A. As a little boy growing up, he was always there. There were times he disappeared, those were the times spent in jail. His yard was fertile with mango, cherry, genip, guava, and a coconut tree. Being the “Bad man” he was no kid dared go pick his fruits. I was allowed. Actually, he picked and gave me those fruits. If a kid was accompanied by me, we could raid his trees. He was kind and gentle to many people who lived on our street and fiercely protective of all.
I clearly remembered one incident when there was a group of men going around every night creating havoc and mayhem, stealing peoples belongs. One such night, these men made the dreaded mistake of coming into our yard. Our old dog, Rio, barked his little old head off. Lalwa emerged from his house with his weapon of choice, a cane cutter’s cutlass. He was a one man army. Most of that night was a blur, but when he came back he was covered in blood, not his. Needless to say during the crazy 70s and 80s not a single soul bothered us or anyone on our street ever again.
For his constant vigil over my family and our neighbors I thank him. Today Ram, as was his given name, you depart this earth and you knew this day would come. You have lived your life by your own ways. More people should have gotten to know the side of you that I knew. It has been 22 years since I ate a fruit from your yard, but I will always remember the kindness and protection you bestowed upon me. Rest in Peace my old Protector and friend, rest in peace.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Where is the Guyanese contribution to Corentyne River security?
| Suriname deploys anti- piracy squad in Corentyne River Reposted from GuyanaTimes ePaper 9/21/2011 By Michael Itwaru In wake of a string of piracy attacks on Guyanese fishermen in the Corentyne River and the Atlantic Ocean, the Surinamese authorities have announced the deploy ment of a special unit in these areas to restore some order. Last week, pirates at tacked at least seven Guyanese fishing boats off Nieuw Nickerie, and me dia reports said that the men were beaten and re lieved of their catches, out board engines, fuel and personal effects. Piracy off the Suriname and Guyana coasts has always been a source of concern, and on some occasions the pirates go beyond robbery to killing their victims and throwing them overboard. It’s not the first time Suriname authorities have increased efforts to stem this problem. Pirates caught in Suriname face lengthy jail time, evidenced by the 12- and 14- year sentenc es six Guyanese pirates received in 2009 for attacking a yacht off Suriname. In July, Kevin ‘ Long Hair’ Narine, a convicted pirate who fled a Guyanese prison, was arrested in Suriname after committing a series of attacks on fishing vessels. Narine and his fel low pirates are still in jail in Suriname awaiting trial. The fate of five Guyanese fishermen who disappeared near the border in August is still not known. The five left Guyana on August 6 aboard the 52- foot- long Reshma , which was found aban doned, but the men have not been seen since. Law enforcement authorities fear that the men may have been attacked and killed by pirates. Fishers in Berbice have reacted positively to the news of the Surinamese patrol. However, they are calling on the government of Guyana to match the ef forts of the Surinamese by deploying a similar team to maintain a strong pres ence in Guyana’s fishing grounds, while strengthen ing relations with its Dutchspeaking neighbour to wipe out the high- seas robbery of fishing crews. Rosignol Fishermen's Co- op Society Chairman Sasenarine Harrinarine, when contacted on Suriname’s move, said it was a very good initiative, noting that it would cre ate an environment of safe ty for fishers to ply their trade in the lucrative fish ing grounds of Suriname. Harrinarine also called on the Guyana government to respond in kind and set up a similar force to moni tor and patrol Guyanese fishing grounds. He thinks that a stronger security presence is needed day and night out where most of the commercial fishing happens in Guyana. He feels that if Guyana does not replicate the Surinamese action, lo cal fishers would continue to perish at the hands of pi rates who would now lurk in Guyana’s waters await ing fishers returning home. Rosignol Fishermen Coop Society Treasurer Pooran Persaud stated: “ This is the kind of protection fishers have been calling for years, especially in the wake of re cent brutal attacks on fish ers while out at sea.” He noted that, up to Monday night, a member of the co- op was reportedly confronted by pirates. “ This should have been done a long time ago…. we need rigid patrol and policing of the water,” said Persaud. He is echoing the calls by Harrinarine for Guyana to deploy a similar unit to spe cifically handle the increase in piracy. Encouragement Meanwhile, Gansham “ King” Singh, a fisherman from the No 66 Co- op who was injured by pirates in a hijacking incident last Wednesday night, said he welcomed the news. He add ed that it has much encour aged him, because he was very reluctant to return to the trade after his latest ex perience. Singh explained that the Surinamese routinely patrol the waters where they fish; however, their presence is temporary, and when they leave, the pirates emerge in the dead of night to rob fish ers. Singh, who has been a fisher for 22 years and is currently a captain, was se verely beaten when he un successfully tried to outrun five pirates. The bandits eventually seized Singh’s boat and took his crew hostage. He was beaten about the body with pieces of wood and cutlass es, and forced to drive his boat to seek out other fish ing crews which the pirates robbed. Singh sustained a broken left ring finger and internal injuries during the brutal beating, and can not work for the next two or three months as a result. He is restricted to a bed or hammock. One of his crew members, Arnold Budhoo, sustained a fractured right knee from the same ordeal. |
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