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Plight of people in Guyana stressed at World Day of Prayer |
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Wednesday, 12 March 2008 |
When those who attended Taber's World Day of Prayer entered the ceremony, they knew what they had to be appreciative of, and left the event with a new understanding.
By Jennifer Elves
Taber Times
When guest speakers Jane Johnson of Barnwell and Sandra Pierson, who resides in Taber, told about experiences their sister and brother-in-law have been having in Guyana, those who attended learned of the many problems women there face.
Some difficulties Johnson and Pierson talked about included lack of quality education, a heavy crime rate, a need for better hygiene and inefficiency at businesses, such as banks.
The education system is not adequate for ensuring the students can someday modernize the work force in Guyana. The quality of education, along with the relevance of the curriculum, brings challenges for the people there.
The women explained there is a big difference between the quality of education provided in rural areas and in the coast-land schools.
The problem, however, is being worked on, with the goal being to reach 100-per-cent access to good education by 2015.
"My sister said they were teaching a Sunday-school class and when they passed out some booklets, four out of the eight ladies didn't want a book, as they couldn't read it," said Pierson.
The guest speakers also mentioned many people are not married and fathers often leave their homes in search of paid work. Since poverty is prevalent, in some cases, children take on adult roles to supplement family income.
Those present also learned poverty and lack of opportunities means the young people often lack confidence in their future.
Pierson explained to the group it is common for fathers in Guyana to be drinkers. The sisters also advised those present that domestic and community violence is a major concern.
"In their area they know a woman, whose husband had taken a cutlass (a long knife) to her when he was drunk. He cut off her arm and damaged her legs so badly she is bedridden. She has four sons who have been taught Christianity. They have quit drinking and will hopefully have better homes themselves," said Pierson.
She also said a survey by UNICEF indicates parents in Guyana are responsible for rampant physical and sexual abuse.
"Alcoholism, financial pressure and infidelity on the part of the parents are responsible for the growing menace. This attitude of the parents has forced their children to take refuge on the streets, where most of them would soon qualify to become a professional rogue. Adults who were supposed to be their guardians or protectors are taking the role of evil doers," said Pierson.
Guyana is also experiencing an increase in the amount of women infected by HIV/AIDS, with there being a strong connection between violence against women and the illness. Pierson noted one in every 100 people have the illness in one part of the country.
In recent years, UNICEF and other world organizations and church groups established sites to educate the people on how to prevent the spread of the disease, and to assist them in other areas of their life as well.
Johnson added some other concerns include the poor drinking water, which causes some health problems, as well as there not being enough doctors.
She added the health-care system there can not deal with major health problems and therefore, people are shipped out to other countries when they need major care. She also said family members of sick people often have to attend health centres to feed their family member who is sick.
She added they typically are not informed when their loved one passes away, so they go to the health site at the next meal time to offer their assistance, learn the person has died and are then responsible for looking after the body. |
