Dear Editor,

WORDS cannot express the sadness I felt when I looked at the dailies of Friday, 08th instant, and saw that a 12-year-old girl was charged for murder.Over the years, especially during the period when we were being governed by the PPP/C, I penned numerous letters begging/imploring those responsible for our youths — religious leaders and the various organisations — to come out with a clear plan to help our youths; and I even went into details and used Zeelugt, on the East Bank of Essequibo, as an example, citing the huge school drop-outs, increased drugs and alcohol use, and prevalence of crime.

To date, no help or project has been introduced to that village. Instead, there are small gangs emerging, crimes being committed (some murders) and some villagers living in torment from youngster because the police seem reluctant to act on certain reports that they seem to judge as irrelevant, whilst those misbehaving keep increasing their misbehaviours.

Because of neglect, crime seems to be getting worse, and most crimes seem to be committed by youths.
While passing schools in the afternoons, especially the high schools, one could observe lots of young men, dressed in various fashion garments, liming and carrying on conversations with the school children. They are mostly school age, and theirs actions seem to be influencing many to drop out of school and join them in dressing and looking ‘cool’.

Listening to their vulgar conversations with the school children is very appalling; and if one were to try to school them, one would be met with a barrage of insults, threats, and even assault.

Many parents would see the actions of these children and would openly share their opinions on proper training; but their own children might be worse off, because many parents don’t seem to care what their children are doing, and when problems arise, they quickly jump up to defend them.

I am still waiting to see the administration come up with a plan to deal with these ‘loiterers’ at the schools.

Finally, editor, I have posted on my Facebook page my opinion about the sorry welcome Lisa Punch got at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, and to see our two young ladies from the victorious West Indies Women’s Team entering Guyana without a decent welcome is very embarrassing. That is to show the feelings those in authority have for our youths here!

Our Director of Sports hastily called a press conference to say that the GCB did not inform him, so that he could have arranged a hero’s welcome for the two young ladies. Now, my questions are: as Director of Sports, couldn’t he call and inquire, instead of waiting? Couldn’t he get the girls’ contact numbers and make contact with them personally? And apart from the press conference, did he convey any congratulatory message to them?

Our youths are not getting the credit they deserve, and actions like this only seem to deter them from shining. Perhaps our Director of Sports should take time off from updating Facebook of where he is and actually show us what he is doing when not eating or drinking; because I recall seeing the deplorable conditions some of our athletes have had to endure whilst representing Guyana.
SAHADEO BATES