Armless 14-year-old girl loses Public Assistance

Sep 10, 2011 News

How more clandestine can officials get than to take away a 14-year-old handicap girl’s Public Assistance. This happened right here in Guyana when 14-year-old Akema Alert who was born without arms below the elbow and short feet had her public assistance stopped in 2005 by officials of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
The girl is no more than three feet tall and weighs about 88 pounds.
The Human Services officials told her mother that the Public Assistance would be taken away because her mother had worn a gold chain to a follow up meeting with Ministry officials.

Armless teen trying to write.

The teen and her grand parents occupy a modest home at 37 Brighton Village on the Corentyne.
The girl’s grandparents, Julie Alert, 68, and Herbert Alert, called David, 70, are both pensioners. They stated that it is difficult to make ends meet since their only means of income is the monthly old age pension.
Akema’s mother, Norma Alert, lives up the Berbice River and would visit from time to time while her father’s whereabout is unknown.
The girl never went to school because according to her grandparents they were denied when enquiries were made of enrolling her in a public school.
Her grandparents stated that they use to receive Public Assistance for her, but one day in 2005 she and her mother went to visit the office at Eversham and they were told that the Public Assistance would be stopped because her mother was wearing a gold chain at the time.
The Public Assistance was stopped immediately and until now despite their best effort and many pleas they have not received any assistance for the child. Repeated efforts to get back the Public Assistance have hit brick walls.
Herbert Alert who stated that he once worked at the Tomato Factory at Black Bush Polder said that for most of his life he has been a farmer and is severely affected by Arthritis.
He said that he still farms from time to time. He receives no other assistance apart from the little Government pension.
Grandmother Julie stated that she has five children; that her eldest son George is dumb, but helps himself. The elderly couple said that Akema is very obedient and willing to learn. “She can write her name and do other chores, like bathe, brush her teeth and answer the phone”.
They are calling on The Minister of Human Services and Social Security, the Prime Minister and President, the Guyana Human Rights Commission, The Rights of the Child Commission or any other caring person or organization to look into the matter and assist the situation.

36 thoughts on “Armless 14-year-old girl loses Public Assistance”

Annie Saywack September 10, 2011 at 8:48 am

What a shame. Give her back the little public assistance and more..
saggacayman September 10, 2011 at 8:55 am

When did wearing a gold chain become a criteria to deny aid to a person? Someone is trying to be spiteful and in the process is denying an innocent kid from the basic necessity she may require what a shame.
claudette09 September 10, 2011 at 9:14 am

I just do not get it … The chain could be a gift…. Why do people in power think like that put on the shoe of another for one day and then see how you would do Do unto others as you would like done unto you DO THE RIGHT BY THE GIRl. PEOPLE IN POWER HAVE A HEART>
Burch01 September 10, 2011 at 9:46 am

We urgently need enabling legislation for the Disabled rather than leaving such decisions to the whims of insensitive public officials.
savannahman September 10, 2011 at 10:04 am

This is utterly disgusting and unacceptable : a huge example of the most uncaring and inhumane trend of the present administration. All of this has to swept away !!
caban September 10, 2011 at 10:12 am

this is just sick I’m ashamed and sadden to read this story people take a good look how the gog is trying to save money and from whom words cann’t describe this if it was within my reach I would personally support this child 69million to build a one flat building but cannot support this disable youth
GTprincess September 10, 2011 at 10:14 am

really such crap……..every1 deserve a chance to b educated no matter their condition shes still human n am sure she must b a smart girl
truthfulbuddy September 10, 2011 at 10:51 am

I do wonder ,in which world are we living, this clearly shows jealousy, wearing of a gold by a parent has no bearing on the support by the govenment for a handicap child,,does these people knows whether it was given as a present,even though it,s noof noconcern to the Human Services Department, are they so educated that they ARE WALKING ON THEIR EDUCATION,,,MEANING IT,S UNDER THEIR FEET, taking into the consideration it,s been years this chil is in deprivation,,Psalm,,,,109.,,,those of the Human Services Department it,s time to do what is righteous in the eysite of God our almighty, the creator of our beautiful universe,,,help that child for we all were lucky to born physically complete,,,think.
capo1234 September 10, 2011 at 11:02 am

WOW THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST TOUCHING AND HEARTLESS STORY I HAVE HEARD FOR THE YEAR, WHAT IN HEAVEN WOULD A GOLD CHAIN HAVE TO DO WITH THE CHILD, THE RELAVANT AUTHORITY NEEDS TO DO SOME THING ABOUT THIS SITUATION, LIKE MOVING AROUND SOME PERSONS IN POSITION, COME ON MR PRESIDENT DO SOME THING FOR THIS KID THAT IS BEING DENIED FROM HAVING A NORMAL LIFE.
FBIProber September 10, 2011 at 11:19 am

There is sad part of the world to live in these days it is call Guyana. How can a human being treat another in such a matter – god! i hope she get assistance. I am wondering if the person that make this dreadful and insane decision have children? I am wondering if the person have a heart. I’m even prompted to ask if that person is a human being?
bishnuR September 10, 2011 at 11:36 am

I HAVE TO WONDER HERE IF SOMEONE IS NOT COLECTING HER ASSISTANCE (MONEY) THESE DAYS THAT IS THE GOING THING.
THIS PERSON WAS BORN WITHOUT HANDS AND HAD HER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE CUTOFF, THIS IS OUTRIGHT CRUEL. THE PERSON WHO MAD THAT DECIDED THAT MUST BE FIRED , AND LET US SEE HOW THEY WILL LIKE IT. SHAME SHAME ON YOU.
Pinkie2011 September 10, 2011 at 12:09 pm

Why should the child pay for what she did not do. As an handicap child she should be getting assistance. This is sad. How can we say at the end of the day job well done. Let us say those in authority who is in charge of this situation did not know. Let us follow up to see what they will put in place for this child.
Michelle April September 10, 2011 at 12:56 pm

Wish the Minister of Human Service and Social Security look into this matter as soon as possible.
PadvanWanicaman September 10, 2011 at 1:48 pm

This is PURE racial-discrimination and the violation of international human’s right laws, as in references to the Geneva-convention, which is captioned “handicapped citizens of any country, has the rights to live equally, with social help and assistances from their government” . The ppp must go and go now!!!!
1. Free Expression September 10, 2011 at 9:10 pm
  
  I dont support you on it being racial. I know of a situation where an indian man from the Island of Wakenaam who is wheelchair bound for the past 15 years had his assistance stopped some years ago. KN highlighted that issue. I dont know if his assistance recommenced or not.
dannyvid September 10, 2011 at 1:54 pm

This absolutely disgusting on the part of the administrators of the public assisstance.
However, this done all over the western world.
Glamourgirl22 September 10, 2011 at 2:21 pm

What does a gold chain has to do with getting Public Assistance, this is inhumane for a child to be punished because of her mother’s jewerly. This is what we as a Nation need to protest for, this is reckless endangerment. I hope the Guyana Human Rights Commission launch an investigation why should a child be made to suffer like this through no fault of hers.
1. FBIProber September 11, 2011 at 10:13 am
  
  you know what this shows the caliber of people we have in position that supposed to help change and make it a better place for our future generation. What they are there for is to take the tax payers money, take the support that was supposed to be given to this child for their own use. This is what we have revealing in Guyana. Honestly when people in position like this acted in this manner what should we do give them a chance to make it right or tell them pack up and go? Can someone really tell me what is good in Guyana.
Gale Sampson September 10, 2011 at 2:24 pm

they should review this matter, she should not be denied because her mom wear a piece of gold, y cant it be a gift, please come on show some respect for disable people.
Criticalthinker69 September 10, 2011 at 2:26 pm

This is such a sad story,how low can these officials get, this is what warrants taking the Government to court for.
JC September 10, 2011 at 6:07 pm

Is there a fund where people can help the grandparents? What a pair of wonderful old folks. God Bless and Keep You Safe and Strong. Akema keep your head up help is coming/
mslouisac September 10, 2011 at 7:22 pm

Ok is this a joke??? what control does a 14 year old have over what her mother wears??? a gold chain means that this child’s arms will grow back! She doesn’t need the money because of a gold chain!!!! I guess every thing in this child’s life has gotten better- and her arms grown back! because the mum has a gold chain!!! do I sound stupid in this post!!! I hope so as this is exactly how this article sounds! what ever next???
Free Expression September 10, 2011 at 8:26 pm

In most of these cases the officer denying the assistance is the renegade. Does that person have the authority to stop assistance of they have to seek higher permission. This should be corrected and back payment to the year 2005 should be in order…even if it has to come from officer’s salary.
cares61 September 10, 2011 at 8:47 pm

I don’t see the sense in this matter the kid should not suffer because her mom wear a gold chain because she visited the Public Assistance office that does not mean she have the money to take care of the child I have never heard of such nonsense give the help the child need
Valariemoriah September 10, 2011 at 9:21 pm

This is disgusting and sad. What is going on at home is shameful. it is time for people to get organize and stop what is going on. it is outrageous that a stupid gold chain denied a disable child her public assistance. Those officials need to be fired forthwith……. STUPID AND HEARTLESS
ananasa September 10, 2011 at 9:44 pm

HOW DID THEY KNOW IT WAS GOLD. hAD THEY TESTED IT? I GUESS SO. COME OF PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE IN THIS AREA, THE GIRL NEEDS HELP. SHE SHOULD NOT SUFFER BECAUSE OF HER MOTHER WEARING A SO CALLED GOLD CHAIN> THAT IS RIDICULOUS.
denamstel September 10, 2011 at 9:56 pm

SHAME ON YOU GUYANA!!!! I read the most disgusting stories from Guyana….I’m sorry to say that is why Guyana is ranked one of the poorest countries in South America and so are their policies…. SHAME ON YOU!
denamstel September 10, 2011 at 9:59 pm

Kaiture News…do you have any similar stories on any Indian child whose assistance had been denied? I’m sure you won’t find any.. I conclude that this is indeed a racial case. Yes the PPP needs to go and NOW!!!!!
Dahia September 10, 2011 at 10:44 pm

its is well know no body cares about the differently able people. and it starts with the government, look at the disable bill they took forever to pass it in parliament and then the took out pieces like the duty free concession and other vital pieces, but the president pass the bill for himself and any other after him to life like kings when his term in office is finish, its just time with them, any body can become disable.
zanav September 10, 2011 at 10:57 pm

This is wickedness, and when they are to act they don’t, just give the child the assistance because they are old papa and ma who can’t do anything for them self because of their age, and they two have to depend on the government for theirs too, you people don’t have a heart, but you all must remember you have family and what goes around must comes around.
Cyril Gomes September 10, 2011 at 10:58 pm

I am wondering if this offical have someone in this condition would they such decision shane on the department head still wondering if the benifit were ilegally withdrawn for other person benifit would the relivent autherity care to comment they jump on less grave matter of concern imagine the finical constrain on two pensioner with limited incom God bless then
Danny DeAbru September 10, 2011 at 11:52 pm

Total ignorance.These assistance should be based on’revenue of the immediate family members living in the same home’. Whatever other family has is not yours. And if i could ‘ban me belly’ an put up something does not mean that i’m not in need.Hope this family ‘get on to the right people’ & have this matter resolved(cause this is a bundle a scrundle).
DianneFreeman September 11, 2011 at 11:22 pm

And the are speaking about childcare home and family life education.How u as a Government talks of caring for children health and welfare and does such a senseless act. You your self needs a education on this matter and many more who knows. What is a chain could’nt she have been granted a present by someone, ohhhhhhhhhhh my God u people have not heart nor shame, shame on u Mr minister.
Audrey September 12, 2011 at 1:37 am

Some people in Guyana are so backwards
Audrey September 12, 2011 at 1:41 am

I don’t understand how some people can make children suffer like , i wonder if it was their child , and some had done that to them how would they feel , Guyana need schools for special needs children
GTMAX1A September 13, 2011 at 12:27 pm

wow and the arrogance continues. i hope this article was made public before and not after 6 years. such an innocent life being deprived of an education followed by her public assistance. wheel chairs are available and just as this child could write her name i am sure she could have been given a chance at learning. this case should be pursued dilengently by human services as the granparents are sure not able with this fight and all payments should be made retroactive once the case is completed. guyana recently celebrated literacy day and concluded that 1 in 4 adults are illiterate, yet this is one case of a pending statistic…..WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! a gold chain the mom was wearing had this child benifits denied RU SERIOUS????