-woman shares her painful story

By Leon Suseran

Hundreds filled Spready’s Square at Port Mourant on the Corentyne on Wednesday

Amelia Veeren, victim of domestic violence sharing her painful storyevening in one of the first ever Inter-faith candlelight services to show solidarity with victims of sexual abuse.

Hindus, Christians and Muslims from all walks of life, Non- Governmental Organisations, Government leaders and the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (NJASHM) all joined in making a loud call for more attention to be placed on dealing with the “cancer” and what many refer to as “the disease” of sexual abuse, especially of young children in Berbice and Guyana as a whole.
The evening began with several keynote speakers who spoke to the issue of violence in every form and shared what needs to be done to aggressively tackle the societal breakdown that exists.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Honorable Jennifer Webster, emphasised the brutal violence being committed on persons of both genders. “No one can be immune to the daily horrific stories in the media; they invade our homes and lives with an increasing regularity. Victims are crying for help. The family; the very fabric of society is silently begging for our help as they are ripped asunder by one violent act after another”.
Fathers, she said, perform violent acts on mothers and children, mothers abuse children and friends react in violence at the ‘slightest provocation and the list continues”. Minister noted that parents are the greatest teachers and that “men learn to abuse their wives if they have grown up watching their fathers do so”. “Victims of violence feel hopeless because of the perceived notion that there is no way out, no help and lack of care from those around them”, she noted.
Professor Daizal R. Samad of the University of Guyana urged the gathering to join hands and form a protective barrier if the evil is to be combated. He pinpointed the Guyana Police Force, religious organisations, social groups, the legal community and private sector for having very important roles to play to fight sexual abuse and violence. “I cannot tell you the number of times that wives have come to see me with complaints that they were beaten by their husbands; in two cases, parents have come and shown me bloody clothes from children as young as five years old”, he stated. He added that his social work students at the Berbice Campus are working in hands-on ways to examine these social diseases. He urged the gathering to carefully ponder upon where these acts are being committed the most, what the levels of prosecution are and why are these acts happening, so that information collected can assist with the fight of abuses that are happening.
He chronicled the breakdown of society. “…we have lost control of ourselves. We drink, behave in shameful ways, swear in the loudest voices, and become violent for little or no reason”, he stated. He added his disgust with a popular newspaper columnist who penned an

A section of the gathering during the candle light service article titled ‘Corruption is worse than rape!’ and called the statement a “dreadful, callous and irresponsible” one. “Tell that to our children– males and females– that have been raped!” He referred to the perpetrators of rape and sexual abuse as people “without conscience, without decency, without goodness”. “There are men that I have met who would insist that it is the right of a man to beat his partner. I have warned them not to speak such things in my company…I try to keep as far away from these kinds of diseased people as I can”.

Then the audience with their candles lit, listened to the painful story of an abused victim, Corentyne teacher, Amelia Veeren, who shared her difficult story with the public and broke down in tears several times during the address. She allegedly endured a painful struggle with her husband but was able to get out of the relationship before things turned for the worst. She received a standing ovation for her bravery that evening.
Also speaking to the audience was the mother of the five- year- old rape victim from East Canje. The mother made her appearance in public for the first time since her daughter was brutally raped under the Canje River Bridge on December 22, 2011. She urged the police to find the rapist and bring him to justice.
Regional Chairman of Region 6, David Armogan stated during his address that somewhere in Guyana “right now, another woman is being abused”. “This new feature of our society …is getting completely out of hand”. Statistics, he said, show that domestic violence “affects women and children of all strata of society and therefore, there must be a total approach to this form of violence”. He noted new and modern legislations have been passed including the Domestic Violence Act and Child Protection Act, all of which have assisted in the fight of sexual abuse. Organisations like Red Thread, The Guyana Association of Women Lawyers, among others, “have been formed to tackle this problem”. “Despite the interventions of new organisations and legislations, the problem goes unabated”.
He called for new approaches to deal with the problem, such as strengthening the family unit and helping them to be grounded in religious beliefs. “We have to be able to look out for our brothers and sisters”, he stated. He urged the gathering, “How many of you sitting here have not seen your neighbour suffering from domestic violence and a child being ill- treated in the home and have said something to the authorities?” He said people need to speak out and report it or else “the problem will continue unabated”.
“We need to get back to some level of morality in our society….because it is through this that decency is built”.  He quoted Mahatma Gandhi by saying  “The brutality of this world is not caused so much by the acts of bad men, but by the silence of good men”, he told the audience. The business community, represented by the Upper Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (UCCCI), lauded the event and said that it was long overdue. “We have, however concluded through our intensive interactions with the Upper Corentyne primary and secondary schools, that the foremost cause of sexual abuse proliferation is due to the breakdown of moral fabric in the home and community levels. A lack of positive role models at home and in the community leaves many youngsters at the mercy of unscrupulous individuals and the pressures created by mass media, a media where sex sells”. Other causes of these crimes, they added, were the incomplete penalty enforcement system, “poverty and a disconcerted effort by stakeholders”.
Other speakers included the CEO of the Berbice Regional Health Authority, St Francis Community Developers and Guyanese Women in Development (GuyWid). The ‘B’ Division Police, including the Commander, was a no- show even though they were invited as important stakeholders in the issue.
After the inter- faith service, participants viewed a movie, “Enough”,  starring Jennifer Lopez, that chronicled the struggle and tale of a young mother who was being brutally abused by her husband.

Written by Shirley Thomas

Sunday, 19 February 2012 21:25

DOMESTIC violence, child abuse and their perpetrators came under fire last Wednesday at an inter-faith prayer and candlelight vigil at Port Mourant, East Berbice, where more than 400 persons from all walks of life converged to register their dissatisfaction with the growing scourge and to collectively wage war against it.

Pandit Suresh Sugrim (left) in brief discussion with Minister of Human Service and Social Security, Dr. Jennifer Webster (right) at Port Mourant last Wednesday.

The forum was organized by the New Jersey Arya Samaj, in collaboration with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission. It was designed to address the daunting problem of Domestic Violence and Child abuse locally.

Quote--“It seems to me that as individuals we have lost control of ourselves. We drink [imbibe alcohol] and behave in shameful ways, swear in the loudest voices, and become violent for little or no reason.”

Held under the theme, “Enough is Enough!” the awareness forum brought together persons from diverse groupings, joining hands and taking a principled position aimed at frontally addressing and breaking the neck of the scourge, currently being witnessed in its worst form, and which strikes at the very fabric of society.

The forum, was held outside Spready’s bakery, next to the Port Mourant Market, brought together hundreds of keenly enthusiastic persons who, with one accord, registered their complete dissatisfaction over the fact that, even though there are laws pertaining to Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, these are honoured more in the breach. Concerns raised spoke of persons who, in clear contempt of the law, continue to:

* wantonly batter and humiliate women, denying them their basic rights and freedoms in the home, and invariaby some of these cases result in murder of the vulnerable women
* rape and otherwise molest innocent children, damaging them physically, psychologically (particularly girls) while threatening to kill their parents if the children report the abuse and the parents take action against the predators.
* feel themselves ‘untouchable’ and ‘above the law’ which they openly flout, and who
* attempt to ‘pay off’ the parents/guardians of a child/children, and in other ways attempt to ‘obstruct due process’ as it relates to the prosecution predators.

Among those present at the forum were:  Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Jennifer Webster; Regional Chairman, Mr. David Armogan; Deputy Regional Chairman, Mr. Gagroo; Executives of the Arya Samaj; Director of the University of Guyana Berbice Campus, Professor Daizal R. Samad; and representatives of the three major religions in Guyana – Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Speakers included Minister Webster, Pandit Sugrim, Professor Samad, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, Mr. Alex Foster and Pastor Nandrine Kishoon.

The joint body said it sees the need for a unified approach to fighting the scourge, involving stakeholders from across the spectrum.

In a scathing attack on the scourge, Professor Samad declared, “To combat this evil, we must all join hands and form a protective barrier that keeps safe, our young and vulnerable. Each religious organisation has a part to play; each social group must be part of this.
“The Guyana Police Force is central; the legal community must come on board; the private sector must lend its voice. The education system must give this attention; each governmental and regional agency must make this part of its mandate; and the University of Guyana must be at the forefront.”

And calling a spade a spade, he cited imbibing alcohol as one of the root causes of the abuse suffered by women and children at the hands of the abusers.
“It seems to me that as individuals we have lost control of ourselves. We drink [imbibe alcohol] and behave in shameful ways; swear in the loudest voices and become violent for little or no reason,” he chided.

Professor Samad conceded that the perpetrators of domestic violence and child abusers are people without moral substance – “They are without conscience, without decency, without goodness,” he said, adding that our society should have zero tolerance for that kind of moral corruption.

Meanwhile, Pandit Suresh Sugrim whose brainchild the forum was also addressed the gathering and condemned domestic violence and child abuse (molestation) in the strongest possible terms.  Highlighting the atrocities, and calling for a new way forward, he said, “Women need to be loved; children need to be cared for…”
He is however of the view that, “… the only way we can break this vicious cycle is through the power of education and committed endeavour.”

Sunday, 19 February 2012 21:23

…from the New Jersey Arya Samaj

Residents with Acting Administrator, Ms Pauline Davis (second from left in back row) and Pandit Suresh Sugrim, at right.

RESIDENTS of the Palms Geriatric Home, Brickdam, last Friday received a donation of clothing, compliments of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission. The clothing was handed over to Ms. Pauline Davis, Acting Administrator of the Palms, by Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of the New Jersey Chapter of the Arya Samaj, and witnessed by members of the nursing staff and the inmates themselves.

Pandit Sugrim, who has been making frequent donations to charitable organizations, the poor and less fortunate among other deserving cases, said that the items distributed on this occasion were from sole donor, Guyanese-born Mrs. Juliet Ganpath of Queens New York.

Ms. Davis, on behalf of the residents, expressed gratitude to the donor, noting how good it feels to know that their needs are being considered, and not only at Christmas, but at other times during the year.

She said she was impressed that the gifts were donated out of true love and by people who genuinely want to help the residents who had, in their time, served the country.

There is a call for even stiffer penalties for sex offenders, especially crimes committed against young children while bail should be removed as an option.

This rally cry is being made by the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission through its representative Pandit Suresh Sugrim, who has returned to Guyana on a mission to whip up strong support for advocacy to have laws tightened, make penalties more severe and raise awareness of this emerging problem.

Speaking to  Guyana Times, Sugrim said his organisation has declared war against this sinful act and is spreading the message for all Guyanese  local and in the diaspora to debunk and condemn such conduct and behavior at all levels of society. Sugrim disclosed that the social network, Facebook has really given much publicity to the issues in Guyana, allowing the diaspora to interact on issues affecting people back home. He noted the recent emergence of sexual abuses of heinous proportions is a major topic for discussion on the network among Guyanese, and he has come home with his heart purposed on putting up more barriers against the scourge.

‘Guyanese around the globe are very disturbed over what is happening at home… within the past couple months, I can refer to a five-year-old that was raped and a seven-year-old that was raped…”

A worked up Sugrim stated that he is not pointing fingers but is here to call on religious leaders across the religious spectrum to rally behind his organisation to aid national efforts to address the scourge.

‘It’s not fair for the victims and their families… a child deserves to be loved and a child deserves to be cared for… a child doesn’t deserve to be sexually molested, and as parents, you think about your nine-year, seven-year and five-year being molested… how would you feel if your child has or family becomes a victim.”

On Wednesday, the mission is hosting a candle light inter-faith prayer service to ask for healing of scars suffered by victims of sexually motivated crime. The event is set to involve participants from all spheres of society, including the police, policy makers, religious bodies, NGOs, business community and the Berbice community by extension.

“We‘re coming together to support the government… that this would no longer be tolerated in our society… we need to start nurture our communities because they belong to us… there is an old African saying that ‘its takes an entire village to raise a child’, and when the child is scarred with impressions  for the rest of her life… how do we fix that scar?… it something that we need to put a stop to immediately… we need to be our brothers  keeper… society has changed for the worse”.

The next step is to have proposals prepared and presented to the Home Affairs Ministry after consultations with other religious bodies, NGOs and relevant agencies on the way forward to curb this problem.

Sugrim said this issue is not unique to Guyana, but Guyanese abroad are very concerned about what is transpiring at home.
The inter-faith prayer is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15 on the tarmac of Spready’s Bakery, Port Mourant. The service commences at 18:00hrs.

By Leon Suseran

For the first time in Berbice, there will be a collaborative effort to show disgust with the problem of sexual abuse and rapes in the Region and country. There is also a move to show solidarity with the victims and their families of such horrible crimes.
The New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (NJASHM) in conjunction with several Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs), The Region Six Administration, Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, Law Enforcement Agencies and religious bodies in the region will, on Wednesday, host a grand candlelight Inter-faith Prayer Service at the Spready’s Bakery Tarmac in Port Mourant from 6:00 pm.
According to President of NJASHM, Pandit Suresh Sugrim, the event “is addressing the issues of physical and sexual abuse and domestic violence”.
He stated, “We as NGO…have decided to address the epidemic that has been destroying Guyana and Region Six”.
He chronicled the instances of rape and abuse that have been carried in the media over the past couple of weeks and that the problem needs urgent redress.  “We had a five-year-old, a seven- year- old, a nine-year-old and the worst out of all, a 23-year-old mentally challenged woman was brutally raped,” he stated.
Sugrim is calling on the respective authorities. “Enough is enough and we need to bring an end to this injustice to these defenseless acts and to the cruelty on women of Region Six.”
He is calling on all NGOs to come out on Wednesday and let their voices be heard. He said that government needs “to toughen the penalties”.
“We need to start to care for the children instead of destroying them,” he posited. “We need to hold several agencies accountable of not taking the necessary stops.”
“Most of these rapes are happening to innocent, defenseless children and it is sad to see the pain and scars these children have to bear in the hands of a cold- blooded rapist.”
He expressed his disgust with many offenders who “are still walking the streets freely as it is right now.” No woman deserves to be treated as a sex machine, a baby machine or a slave for her husband.” “Women need to get themselves educated and not subject to the domain of a man and his foolishness of being his maid, baby- machine and sex machines,” he posited.
If a wife says ‘no’ to her husband, that she does not want to have sex, the man should not— avoiding a situation called statutory rape in the United States.
Pandit Sugrim said that the event on Wednesday will see a massive gathering of several stakeholders to send a message “that enough is enough, since we have laid back for too long and let these crimes creep up in our society”.
Sugrim noted that most of the victims of rape and sexual abuse are East Indians but that other ethnicities may have been affected but not captured in the media.
“A lot of these incidents happen in poor communities and these are the areas where persons prey on innocent children.”
Sugrim noted that the wider Guyanese community is watching, keenly, the events that have been unfolding during the past weeks here. One of these events sees the head of a law enforcement organization being indicted. “What role model is he setting for others to follow?”
Sugrim thanked Region Six chairman Mr David Armogan for “doing such a good job.” He said that he has faith in him that he will turn this region into one that will stand out.”
The movie ‘Enough’ starring Jennifer Lopez will be shown on the evening and many keynote speakers will be addressing the audience about the issues. There will be a candlelight vigil for the victims and families “suffering at this moment based on the scars”.
President of the Upper Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (UCCCI), Vishnu Doerga plans to involve his agency in the night’s activities and give his support to the project. “It’s a very serious issue and one that has driven our chamber to take specific actions to create awareness,” he noted.
Doerga is delighted that Sugrim and his team have decided to host this event. He stated that it will be a good opportunity to have everyone “on the same wavelength.”
He said much needs to be done to reinforce the Sexual Offences Act. When an offender gets caught and is on $20,000 bail, “it doesn’t mould well for justice for the victims”. “That is not right and that is why enforcement is one of the biggest issues.”
President of the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (CCCC), Imran Hamid, too supports the event and blames the lack of recreational facilities in the Region and people having too much idle time on their hands to commit these heinous acts.
He believes the location is appropriate since it will be held on the Central Corentyne area.

Although it may not always be easy and straight forward, sustained efforts must be made to reduce the prevalence of domestic violence, abuse, rape and suicide. This is the view of Pandit Suresh Sugrim of the New Jersey/Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission. His concerns were expressed even as local efforts are being made to raise awareness about the social problem. And this, he said, will only become a reality if individuals would seek to look out for each other on a continual basis. “If you know your co-worker, friend, neighbour, or relative is being abused at home what can you do to help before it is too late?” Pandit Sugrim questioned.

According to him there are many things that people can do to help those that are in extremely difficult, emotional and dangerous situations, even as he noted that the issue of domestic violence must be recognised as “everybody’s business and not only the victim”. Domestic violence, he opined, has been one of the root causes of several deaths in the society which are inclusive of suicide and homicide. Rape is often another form of domestic violence that many women have been forced to endure, Pandit Sugrim lamented. It has also been recognised that oftentimes abusers are driven by the abuse of alcohol. For this reason, he noted, that there is a desperate need for leaders, be they religious or political, as well as those within Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to address without delay domestic violence at the very origin.

In its bid to support local efforts, the New Jersey Arya Samaj, in conjunction with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, has joined forces with Government, through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and other NGOs to help put an end to domestic violence. This move, Pandit Sugrim said, will not only offer a safe haven for victims but also provide support and other needed services to them. “Lending a sympathetic ear may be the best help you can offer sometimes.  Don’t force the issue…You can simply let a victim learn to confide in you at their own pace.  Always validate their thoughts and feelings, offer choices and remain respectful to them,” Pandit Sugrim urged, as he spoke extensively on the issue recently.

“Never blame them for what is happening or underestimate their potential danger. Always refer victims to the relevant authorities,” he warned.  Abused victims, according to him, require considerable amounts of support as they often live with emotional as well as physical abuse. This, according to him, may very well include financial empowerment, and assistance to leave the home of the abuser should the need arise.

And should the victim decide to leave, efforts should be made to contact the local domestic violence hotline or battered women’s shelter, Pandit Sugrim suggested. Battered women, he said, frequently face the most physical danger when attempting to flee. As such there may also be a need to help victims develop a safety plan should the abuser become more aggressive. “The abuser usually tells the abused that they are bad and are no good…Without positive reinforcement from outside the home, victims may begin to believe that they can’t do anything right – that there really is something wrong with them. Help them examine their strengths and skills. Emphasize that they deserve a life that is free from violence. Don’t tell them what to do, how they should feel, or make excuses for the abuser,” he cautioned.

It was in this regard the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission sought to pioneer a project to construct a benevolent home for seniors, abused women, men and orphans. The facility will be erected in Babu John, Port Mourant, Berbice, according to Pandit Sugrim. He said that fundraising activities have already commenced in this regard in the United States, Canada and Guyana. It was after carefully analyzing the situation of abuse in Guyana that the decision was taken to fast-track the venture to help individuals from all ethnic groups, religions and backgrounds. He explained that the Berbice location was strategically chosen as it was found that while there are some facilities for battered women in Georgetown limited attention is given to the rural areas. Port Mourant was also chosen partly because that region has a high incidence of domestic violence cases, Pandit Sugrim said.

Written by Shirley Thomas

Saturday, 14 January 2012 20:33

—Sophia/Lamaha Park children

THE Sunday Chronicle’s recent initiative in highlighting the plight of less fortunate children in a column of our Christmas Day publication, titled: “Spare them a thought this Christmas”, yielded some positive response for several children in parts of Sophia and South Georgetown. Coming out of that initiative, a few civic-minded persons pooled resources to help brighten the children’s Christmas. The result was that the children not only had a “Christmas” party, but received gifts of brand new clothing, lighting the spark of ecstasy in their little innocent hearts, and ultimately putting the spring of hope back into their steps.

The party was held on December 30 at the home of Sister Joy Grant-Stewart, a virtual mother to many children of the Sophia/Lamaha Park embankment, where she is also familiarly known as ‘Grannie’.
The major donor was Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh, Managing Director of Hermon and Sons Tailoring Establishment of Lombard Street, who, in a personal capacity, donated 25 suites of church clothing (long-sleeved shirts with matching trousers) for boys aged five to eleven years. He also donated money for food for the party.

Pandit Suresh Sugrim of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir of USA donated a quantity of sleep wear and play wear for girls aged 2 to 10 years.
The gifts were received and handed over to the deserving cases by Chronicle’s Shirley Thomas, author of the Christmas Day feature, “Spare them a Thought this Christmas.”

Additionally, staff of the Chronicle’s Editorial Department teamed up with other civic-minded persons to provide meals and other delicacies for the party, and for the preparation of their gift bags.
Among the donors were:    Narine Dass Grocery; A&D Nanan Grocery;  R. Bansraj Grocery; Mangru’s and Shirley Rowley’s – all of Stabroek Market; Laverne Bishop and Sister Joy Grant-Stewart; Jennifer Nestor, who voluntarily catered and provided a venue for the kids party, which was held at Lamaha Park on the ‘Fifth Day of Christmas’.
Heart-warming though the initiative was, it was even more touching to see the reaction of the children themselves.
Although it was raining fairly heavily, the children were determined that nothing should spoil their fun. And so the minute they learnt that a party was being hosted for them, little boys aged between 7 and 10 years took charge. Bubbling with energy and enthusiasm, they immediately mobilized themselves, borrowed a tarpaulin and setting about cutting bamboo with which they constructed a tent.

Samples of the clothing which were donated for the children

It turned out that the children were very capable, able and willing to help themselves; and they worked cooperatively as a team.
By mid-afternoon the tent was up, and by 16:30hrs the party was ready to begin. There was a large turnout, and equally lots to eat and drink. Some mothers came along and assisted in distributing gifts.  At the end of the party, everyone left happily clutching a gift bag.

Appreciation
The children and their parents would like to extend appreciation to Mr. Hermon Bholaisingh and Pandit Suresh Sugrim for their gifts of clothing, and to all others without whose contribution the party could not have been a reality.

Some of the children at their Christmas Party at Lamaha Park

Members of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (NJASHM) hand over a stuffed toy and clothing to Senior Nurse O. Kendall, while Nurse A. Trellis looks on. The donation, made at the ICU of the New Amsterdam Hospital, was intended for the five-year-old rape victim. Incidentally, she hid behind the Barney Bear.

Written by Jeune Bailey Vankeric  

Thursday, 05 January 2012 01:35

THE local and overseas chapters of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (NJASHM) recently visited the traumatized minor who was raped aback of her home in Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice on December 23 last, and presented her a life-size bear along with some clothing.
The gifts were, however, handed over to the nurses of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the New Amsterdam Hospital, Nurse O. Kendall, and Nurse Alicia Trellis.
On December 23, 2011, the child was rushed to the health institution after it was discovered she had been sexually assaulted by an unknown perpetrator in a clump of bushes about 150 feet from her home. She underwent emergency surgery, and was thereafter warded in the Intensive Care Unit, where she is being monitored.

During that Saturday visit, the very vocal minor snatched her stuffed Barney Bear and hid behind the bed on seeing the male members of the religious group. The visitors had to be ushered outside before the child would come out of her hiding place and examine her gifts.
Commenting on the act perpetrated on the minor, Pandit Sugrim told the media that, as a religious leader, he is dissatisfied with the level of investment by his fellow men of the clergy. ‘As a leader, we should not just invest in one’s spiritual being, but also in their physical, mental, social and psychological existence. We need to pool our various resources together and, along with the government, table for stiffer penalties for perpetrators of sexual offences (particularly those committed on minors). If we put our energies together, we will make an impact.”

Recounting the incident, Sugrim said, “It is a sad state of affairs, someone having sexual intercourse with a minor. Imagine the pain she went through. (That) human beast needs to be put away for a long time. I do hope that the new Minister (Human Services) will pilot (in Parliament) tougher penalties. People are going to the church, the mandir, the mosque, but they are all lost; they have no values, no respect for women and children. As a religious leader, we need to do more.”

When the heinous incident happened, the mother of the child was reportedly at her mother-in-law’s home awaiting a telephone call from her reputed husband who resides in Trinidad. Her brother-in-law and his nephew were with her watching television when her two-year-old child began to cry.  The woman had previously taken the children home, at 23:30hrs, in the same yard in which her mother-in-law lives. She had put the children to sleep on a mattress before returning to her mother-in-law’s residence, where she continued to watch the movie. At about 00:15hr, when the movie was completed, she went over to her home and discovered her daughter missing. An alarm was raised, and after repeatedly searching, the child was heard crying, and was subsequently found 150 feet away from home.

The child had reportedly said, ”Jumbie man lie on top of me.”
Blood was seen on her pants, and a closer check revealed that blood was flowing from her vagina. She was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where she was operated on before being admitted into the Intensive Care Unit. Police had arrested several members of her East Canje community, but no one has been charged. Investigations are, however, continuing.