debut: 2/16/17
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While devotees pray and police stand guard ...
Children beg outside church in Siparia
Despite stern warnings from the Children Authority against exploiting children for alms, scores of children were seen begging on the streets surrounding La Divina Pastora Church in Siparia during La Divina Pastora festivities on Good Friday. Every year Hindus and Catholics gather at the Church enduring sweltering heat for hours to offer gifts to the statue of Siparee Ki Mai, in hopes of divine favour, while the poor and destitute wait expectantly for alms.
But this year for security reasons, their access to the church compound, where alms were traditionally distributed, was barred. Forced onto the streets—George, Mary, and La Divina Streets—the children wearing tattered clothing and their relatives found themselves lining the pavements in a scene of desperation and exploitation.
Some of the children sought refuge beneath sheets of plastic, shielding themselves from both the scorching sun and prying cameras.
A security officer, speaking on condition of anonymity from the confines of the Siparia Boys RC compound, expressed disgust at the rampant child abuse unfolding before his eyes.
“This morning, I heard a woman cursing a boy who was crying, forcing him to continue begging against his will,” he recounted. Another child, who couldn’t be more than nine years old, endured a brutal beating for the sin of misplacing money, the officer revealed.
Speaking to CNC3 News, Siparia Mayor Doodnath Mayrhoo also expressed anguish at the child exploitation as he traversed the crowded streets on Thursday afternoon.
“I visited the market around 3 pm and walked around the church. My observation was hundreds of children lining the church seeking alms. I think the Children’s Authority should investigate why the children are there seeking handouts. The Ministry of Social Development should also do a proper investigation to see whether there is any real need for help from those elderly people and children who are lining the streets,” Mayrhoo said.
He added that the children were being kept under inhumane conditions since the church and school compound were restricted.
“We made two tents available for them to sit but I have deep concerns about the high number of children I am seeing around that church,” Mayrhoo revealed.
Why has T&T come to this ?
Children beg outside church in Siparia
Despite stern warnings from the Children Authority against exploiting children for alms, scores of children were seen begging on the streets surrounding La Divina Pastora Church in Siparia during La Divina Pastora festivities on Good Friday. Every year Hindus and Catholics gather at the Church enduring sweltering heat for hours to offer gifts to the statue of Siparee Ki Mai, in hopes of divine favour, while the poor and destitute wait expectantly for alms.
But this year for security reasons, their access to the church compound, where alms were traditionally distributed, was barred. Forced onto the streets—George, Mary, and La Divina Streets—the children wearing tattered clothing and their relatives found themselves lining the pavements in a scene of desperation and exploitation.
Some of the children sought refuge beneath sheets of plastic, shielding themselves from both the scorching sun and prying cameras.
A security officer, speaking on condition of anonymity from the confines of the Siparia Boys RC compound, expressed disgust at the rampant child abuse unfolding before his eyes.
“This morning, I heard a woman cursing a boy who was crying, forcing him to continue begging against his will,” he recounted. Another child, who couldn’t be more than nine years old, endured a brutal beating for the sin of misplacing money, the officer revealed.
Speaking to CNC3 News, Siparia Mayor Doodnath Mayrhoo also expressed anguish at the child exploitation as he traversed the crowded streets on Thursday afternoon.
“I visited the market around 3 pm and walked around the church. My observation was hundreds of children lining the church seeking alms. I think the Children’s Authority should investigate why the children are there seeking handouts. The Ministry of Social Development should also do a proper investigation to see whether there is any real need for help from those elderly people and children who are lining the streets,” Mayrhoo said.
He added that the children were being kept under inhumane conditions since the church and school compound were restricted.
“We made two tents available for them to sit but I have deep concerns about the high number of children I am seeing around that church,” Mayrhoo revealed.
Why has T&T come to this ?
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