Heart-breaking case of child abuse in Georgetown

Nov 09, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
This morning, I was utterly appalled when I saw a young boy, who couldn’t have been more than 8 years old, working on the streets of Georgetown.
It was 8 am, a time when any well taken care of child should, indeed, must be in school. He was shirtless, looked emaciated (“magga” as we say in Guyana). He was with a small donkey cart (those horse and donkey carts are cruel as well, but that should be the topic of another letter), transporting of all things, beer cases.
He was a child fetching alcohol. Nothing more should have to be said to highlight how atrocious this picture is, but I have a few questions and solutions. How could that liquor business have sold those cases of beer to that child? How could his parents use him so cruelly, as if we have child slavery in this country?
How could have none of the police officers on the road stopped that boy and asked to be taken to his home to arrest his “guardians” for child abuse and neglect?
Why is there no system of welfare for these children, when seen roaming, or worst yet, working on these hot chaotic streets, to call them aside and examine their family lives?
I’m calling on all relevant authorities and government agencies to look into the heartbreaking plight of children in this country, because how can any place be considered civilized if its most helpless voiceless citizens can’t be taken care of?
I have a few pictures of what I saw, and I feel like these pictures should be published. A picture speaks a thousand words, but none of the words I think of when looking at them are positive, and some are unspeakable.
Let people see how children are abused and maybe by recognizing such cruelty everyday, we can begin the process of change.
Kalina Bulkhan

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