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?

GDF, China sign $ 157M accord

Reposted from: http://65.175.77.34/guyanatimes/epapermain.aspx

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.

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.

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.

Take the extended hand, it may not be there tomorrow.

Guyana gov't not impressed with US Embassy's visiting professor | 2011/07/27/ | Latest

Two conflicting sides of the same situation presented it self in the Guyanese Newspaper yesterday. One newspaper reported that a prominent Guyanese public official was not impressed with the visiting US Political Science professor. While another mentioned the issues he addressed.

The public official did not attack the issues raised but went after the professors credibility. Several comments on both newspapers were for and against the Political Scientist's position. The alarming issue was how many people went after the very accomplished gentleman's credibility. Having read through both newspaper articles both were in agreement reporting the professor's qualifications. So the man was qualified on the subject, but when the argument does not fit he gets put down on credibility?

Does not seem like a fair argument, right? Why not argue the issues? State a reason why the professor's position is irrelevant to Guyana. Not just, he does not know what he is talking about. Why would a Harvard educated political science Ph.D travel to Guyana and talk nonsense? The professor has done this same kind of assessments in many other countries. Don't think they are talking trash to him. The issue here is the clear disregard of another opinion.

Is this the pulse of a nation? There are other reports on newspapers, social media sites, and individuals that indicates the disapproval of "outside" opinions. In a conversation with an "outside" person and a local, the local said, "Man gawn so, you from outside, you naw know nothing about Guyana." People actually feel this way. Is it that there have been too many "outside" people who feels that because they are from a foreign country that they know more than Guyanese? Or are Guyanese feeling that they have heard enough about how bad their country is?

The natural instincts of man is to protect and honor his ways. Continuous reminder of how bad things are and how incorrect everything is done will eventually lead to people feeling dismayed. No one wants to be told how bad things are. Where are the solutions? Show the solutions to the issues, not the issues. It is no secret that there are several systems which can use some adjusting. There are several things that over time have eroded. Whether it is man's faults, nature's fault, or some outer world's misalignment of the stars. Things have gotten off the rails. Everyone knows that. Well, instead of keep pointing out that glaring reality, focus on a solution.

On the other hand, it is okay to listen and take note. Most people who even attempt to engage in any way, have Guyana's best interest at heart. There is absolutely nothing wrong with listening to a different opinion. Agreement or disagreement brings about a healthy civil engagement that may even turn out beneficial. Personal attacks is counter-productive. A new and novel idea when combined with a a tried practice may create a strong deep solution. Why block an idea or theory? At the end of the day "outsiders" will be just that, on the outside. Guyanese living in Guyana will be the ones making the decisions as to which direction they want to take. "Outsiders" can just share their knowledge, passion, and time. So step up and take the hand extended, it may not be there tomorrow.

Negativity-The Curse of Progress.

Guyana President Wants Regional Good News TV - Caribbean Community Online, Inc./Caribcomm

If we continuously focus on the negative we stifle the positive. All too often as a society we are more focused on the negative rather than promote the positive. We shoot ourselves in the foot and stand in the path of progress.

There was a recent article in the Kaieteur News Paper, where the editor defended their decision to publish graphic images of a gruesome accident. Another article from the same newspaper depicted the slaying of a dog. I fully understand the position of accurately reporting events as they occur, but at whose cost? The victims? There is a very graphic nature of events that occur in Guyana where publishing a story for shock value only serves to give more credibility to heinous actions. What happens to the young impressionable minds who come across these bloody front pages? Wow, look at that. That is so “cruel”. They romanticize the word “cruel”. That is disturbing. From the media this negativity rolls into local communities.

Negativity brews at the local level of municipal development. Recently, a local Chamber of Commerce was attacked by a campaigning party official on a social networking site. There is one thing to run a political campaign about what the current administration is doing wrong and then there is cheering for progress. Without all the facts political mudslinging only paints a nasty picture. The facts show a different image altogether. This particular Chamber of Commerce has been the singular driving force of development for a long time. So even in a political season, why try to discredit where credit is due. Celebrate their success and build on it. Not tear it down. Major organizations trickle to individuals.

Over the past several years there is a growing number of individuals and or groups engaging in Charitable work on a grass root level or online. They are all working to assist and ease the burden of poverty to the less fortunate of Guyana. There are individuals or small groups who gather things amongst themselves and help their immediate family or neighborhoods back home. Then there are larger more organized groups who conduct major fund raising events. There are online forums, lead by individuals or groups of people, who raise awareness and invoke conscious discussions as to situations in various parts of Guyana. All of these good hearted people are supposedly working towards the same goal. Would it not be beneficial if they work in harmony and respect each other, rather than mudsling and block each other’s activities?

It would seem that the norm is to take sides of individuals or groups and then attempt to distort the work of others. How can this bring about any progress? Our society is such that a we show the negative of each other in order to achieve our own positive. Does not seem to make sense, does it? Old wounds from a time gone by, past child hood experiences, past school yard disputes, past work disputes, past rum shop arguments, past bottom house disagreements are rearing its ugly head to hinder progress and success in each other’s effort. Why can’t we put the past behind us, stop the negativity and move forward as a strong force to change and success?

This piece of land that our forefathers banded together and fought so hard for is now being torn apart by us. We, with our negativity, are in the path of progress. All of us should put our differences aside and reach across our yards to our neighbors and hold on. Let us band together to raise our children, as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Let us put our collective minds together to find a way to better educate the youths. Let us reach out with open arms and embrace our brothers and sisters who are too distraught to threat their children with dignity. Let us show compassion and love so the next generation of Guyanese will lift themselves out of this negative state of mind. Of course there are going to be some of us who just will not move. Go away with your negativity and let the ones who are ready to embrace and band together effect change, progress, and success.

Man brutally chopped by stepfather : Kaieteur News

Man brutally chopped by stepfather : Kaieteur News
This is a total blatant disregard of human life. What deep rooted distaste for another person would lead to taking a weapon and brandishing it with an intent to create extreme bodily harm? More so, how can this raw image of bloodiness be spattered all over the front page. Is this celebrated?