OSTRACISM is one of the most painful punishments that can be meted out to any human being, moreso when one is being ostracised while being terminally ill, and having to take care of several very young children. But this is a common story throughout the world, whatever the society or the status of the afflicted person and it is the most cruel and inhumane treatment one human being can inflict on another.

And that agony is unparalleled when even the parents and other close relatives of the unfortunate victims are the ones who have cast them aside as though they are pariahs, especially when their only crime is reposing trust in an untrustworthy partner.

This is the case of Angela Beepat, who contracted the HIV virus from her spouse, who then left her to all alone care for the four children, all under the age of ten.

Ms. Beepat lives with her children alone in a dilapidated shack that looks ready to collapse at any moment, in abject poverty relieved only by some assistance she receives from New-York-based philanthropist, Ivor Ramphal.  The Public Assistance money that she once received from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security was withdrawn and no-one wants her to work for them because of the fear of her disease.  She is not well and coughed continuously while she was speaking to the Guyana Chronicle.

She cannot always find the money needed to pay her passage to access her medication, so she acceses it infrequently.  Her mother and siblings shun her, and she is denied access to a little niece she adores.

Humanity seems to be failing in Guyana because, not far from where she lives, a group of men were drinking in a rum shop.  If each of these men contributed the price of a couple of beers over a month most likely enough money could be realised to purchase some materials to rebuild Angela’s shack, which is situated on a piece of land for which she pays rent.  The time spent on one rum drinking session could be instead directed to doing self-help construction on Angela’s home, which has a leaky roof with plastic sheeting under it but is inadequate to prevent the little home and family from being drenched.

Many persons would make elaborate arrangements to conduct a prayer service, but God cannot be bribed with ostentation and pomp.  Service to humanity is failing in our society, but true religionists believe that this is truly the way to worship God.  Jesus said that we will always have the poor among us, and Brahmins are the most respected Hindus, and they espouse humility and service as the greatest virtues.  Muhammad preached the way of love is the path to salvation, yet members of an entire community can see someone in an absolutely helpless condition without lifting a finger to help.

Who knows the agony Ms. Beepat must be going through, knowing that she would not even be leaving her children with a home of their own that they can claim later on when institutions can no longer keep them after they have attained the age of maturity.

With whatever little resources she can garner she ensures that they attend school, but what of the future?  How can she ensure their future wellbeing when the present existence is such a difficult one?

And how many Beepats are out there in society, existing in isolation in the midst of uncaring, and even sometimes affluent, communities?

There is much HIV/AIDS-related funding, but how much of this funding actually benefits the persons most in need?  How many officials are leading fat-cat lives on the funds intended for the victims of HIV/AIDS and related illnesses?

Unless and until adequate systems are set in place to police the distribution of these funds the Beepats of this world would always fall through the cracks and disappear into oblivion, while their children become scattered in the winds of misfortune precipitated by uncaring societies and lax administrative constructs.

The Guyana Government, however, through the Ministry of Housing, and one of its social partners in the private sector, such as the ever-generous Sattaur Gafoor, can rescue Angela Beepat and give her a home for the comfort of her children and be left with some happy memories of time spent with their mother in a pleasant environment that they can finally call home – and soon, because in this instance time is of the essence.

Ms. Beepat standing in front of her shack.  Her fireside, made up of four bricks is on her left.

Angela’s home, papered with old newspapers, with plastic (at right) strategically placed to catch water from the leaking roof, is comprised of rotting boards which could collapse at any moment.