Latest update February 25th, 2025 10:18 AM
Latest News
- Five dead in road accidents
- 25 helicopter trips required weekly for preparatory work on 7th oil project—Exxon says in EIA
- Israel deploys tanks as assault on occupied West Bank intensifies
- Govt. seeking contractors for $1.9B Parika to Goshen Road project
- GHRA urges Gov’t to follow laws in dealing with US deportation issue
A patient of GPHC for two years…Joshua Moonsammy only wants a home for Christmas
By Rehana Ahamad
Imagine living at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for more than two years; not such a pleasant thought is it?
Well, this has been the life of four-year-old Joshua Moonsammy, who has been living in the GPHC’s Pediatric Ward for the past two years. He has been abandoned by relatives, and has nowhere else to go.
Little Joshua Moonsammy
Little Joshua was taken into state care in 2011, after the child’s mother reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA)that she was unable to effectively care for him, due to domestic issues.
“The mother had reported to us that the man used to forbid her from taking his money to look after Joshua, plus we were told that the child’s stepsiblings were not allowed to interact with him, so the mother said that she could no longer keep him with her, since Joshua’s stepfather was her only source of income,” Director of the CCPA, Ann Greene explained.
According to the Welfare Official, although willing, even Joshua’s older biological siblings are financially strapped and cannot support him.
The child is currently being looked after by GPHC’s management and staff, under the guidance of child care services.
Joshua, who would be one year older this Sunday, seems to be a much loved child at the public health institution.
In speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Michael Khan said that he would be celebrating the child’s birthday at the Pediatric Ward on Sunday, all at his personal expense.
Ms. Greene said that her Christmas wish is that Joshua gets a safe home, referring to him as a jolly child who deserves the love and care of a family.
“We are looking for a foster family for Joshua Moonsammy. We are willing to pay people to just keep him in their homes and show him some love,” Greene stressed.
She explained that in addition to most of the children’s homes being filled to capacity, Joshua also has a medical condition.
This poses as an obstacle to him finding a proper home with a loving and understanding family. Joshua has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP). This is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills (the ability to move in a coordinated and purposeful way). CP is usually caused by a slight brain damage that occurs before or during a child’s birth, or during the first 3 to 5 years of a child’s life.
There is no cure for CP, but treatment, therapy, special equipment, and, in some cases, surgery can help a child who is living with the condition.
Ms. Greene told Kaieteur News yesterday that the CCPA will provide support every step of the way.
“We will help the family with whatever it needs to look after Joshua. We will work with them and give guidance and provide solutions.”
“We are pleading with people to open their homes and hearts for a good cause. It’s Christmas, and Joshua deserves a family,” Ms. Greene implored.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The PPP/C’s rotten return
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) ought to have treated its loss in the... more
Why the U.S. Should Strengthen Trade Ties with the Caribbean
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- A rules-based international trading system has long been a foundation of global commerce,... more
Weekend Cartoon
