THE movie, ‘Unbelieving Mom’, recently released at the Avinash Cinema Complex by Director Bonny Alves and produced by Charmaine Blackman, starring a host of experienced local actors, including this writer and Mariatha Thomas, is most appropriate for general viewership; adults and children throughout Guyana, to highlight how children are being abused by step-fathers, especially girls with sexual exploitation and violence and boys with mental and physical violence.

This is a serious movie which I recommend to the Ministry of Human Services, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth and Sports  and also Office of the President to not only award this movie, but to also purchase the rights for Guyana, and send to all schools, in the coastal belt, the cities and interior.  The violence against girls is most widespread, and most times not reported because mothers do not believe their ‘MEN’ will not touch their daughters,  and because they wish the comfort of  having the economic assistance of the ‘Men.’  Some wish to protect their ‘MEN’.

Maybe companies such as GT&T and Digicel, and such large corporate entities as DDL or Banks DIH may consider purchasing the local rights of this movie and giving it to their supporters, the schools, the ministries for distribution or shared purchase of the rights between the above or others.

I am writing from Malaysia where myself and family are supporting Guyana and our daughter Katherina Roshana for the Miss India Worldwide Competition.  It broke my heart and those of all my family  members and the number of other friends and families who are here to support Katherina Roshana, when we heard of the terrible and unfortunate murder of a 14-year-old by her step- father as he was about to be exposed for sexually molesting the child.  Usually step-fathers think they have a right to their female step-daughters, as they have no blood connection, and want payback for feeding and clothing them, and the youth of the child usually excite the sick men.  Beating of step-sons also excite their passions, and we have seen in Guyana where a two-year-old boy was sexually assaulted by his step-father (who has links to the army).

I know the mother’s heart would be in great distress, and maybe if she had noticed certain movements of eyes and attitude by ‘her man’ or listening to silent messages by the daughter, she would have known what was happening.  As I said above, and as the movie is titled, moms most unbelieving, and also aunts do not believe that their husbands would hurt their nieces or daughters.  They doubt because they wish to have the support of a breadwinner and lock their mentalities and rationalities out.

I know of a situation where a young man was constantly beaten in the most atrocious  manner by the step-father, but the mother would not want the boy to tell anyone as it was private and will make her man look bad, while she would quarrel with him.  She also needed the financial support of the ‘man’, as she was uneducated.  In this regard, I must give credit to our Government of Guyana,  for establishing the ‘Women of Worth’ funding, and also for helping single- parent women with skills, opportunities, education and business opportunities.

I beg the mothers not to ever stay quiet, and the Ministries of Education, Youth and Sports, Human Services, etc., to send educational messages to schools, copies of this movie to encourage abused children, and boys and girls to speak out.  Send copies of circulars and this movie to youth organisations, village leaders, mandirs, mosques, etc., so that children can be enlightened, and know they have power and authority to watch over them.  Encourage them to relate their stories to a priest or relative they trust, or even go to the media;they must not fear.  The movie can be followed by a discussion, even the Help and Shelter organisation, and the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) should be interested.

My heart bleeds for the murder of this child, it bleeds for the pains of the mother, and it bleeds even more if the authorities and government of my country do not take the advice I give above.  Where are the Rights of the Child Organisations.  Get this movie and send it out, go to school  and teach, send out circulars, go on a media blitz campaign.  Speak to the children, not merely the mothers.

Guyana, this is a sad day for us, and we must commence a passionate campaign to end this violence.  I also call on the business community to purchase copies of this movie and distribute or finance open-air campaigns and showings in their cities and villages.  I am sure the Producer and Director will help in this, and I personally will go on various campaigns to educate, and give talks in addition to public, street viewings, schools, etc..  Look!!! Where are the politicians?  I am always amazed how they get monies for all kind of nasty and vulgar campaigns even vulgar gyrations, and noisy music, dirty and ugly, during campaigns, but none can purchase rights to a movie like this to help to educate the nation.  This will make more impact on citizens than the nasty music they tend to use.  I ask the management of Metro Office supplies, Dennis Beepat’s Limited, Court(s) Guyana/Unicomer Ltd., and recognised large and small businesses in New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Canje, Essequibo, and rice farmers and rice factories, and even attorneys-at-law to help their communities by sponsoring open-air showings of this movie and educational discussions on this scourge facing Guyana.

I cry for the child and this mother as I write.