The culture in Guyana is undoubtedly changing largely due to the new oil industry. In any changing culture, man’s mercies also persist, especially when the distribution of wealth and opportunity is unfair. Time will reveal whether this good life benefits all Guyanese. Many, however, refuse to stay or work honestly and instead resort to crime to meet their wants and needs.
With the recent cases of missing people in Guyana, I thought about the changing culture. There were also suggestions that kidnapping was taking place in Guyana. Guyana Police has since dismantled such allegations. However, he revealed that he had set up a Missing Person Unit at Criminal Investigation Department Headquarters. It is the unit’s responsibility to take the lead role in investigating such cases.
Despite Guyana Police issuing a statement, many people are skeptical. They believe something sinister is happening. Some are also skeptical because they have little confidence in Guyana Police.
It is only recently that I have heard abduction allegations in Guyana. A friend shared that more than a year ago there was an attempt to abduct two of her Venezuelan relatives. They were on the street and men tried to force them into a vehicle. They fought and the men eventually fled. About two weeks ago, another friend shared that an affair was attempted less than a month ago. The taxi driver diverted from her route and was heading to the hinterland. Her wisdom at the moment was to call relatives and describe what was happening that saved her.
Other than those two incidents, I have not heard of any other attempted abduction recently. Others may tell a different story. It is natural for people to make assumptions and adjust their behavior in a climate of fear and uncertainty.
There are many reasons for losing people. Some run away from home, some flee with their partners in cases where the family may disapprove of their relationship, some people do not want to be found, some are murdered, some are taken and trafficked . We know that human trafficking is common here. Work to address the issue is ongoing. We have often heard of victims of human trafficking being rescued. In November last year, for example, sixteen women and their children were rescued in Region 3. The Ministry of Human Services and Guyana Police play a vital role in rescuing victims of human trafficking. Many foreigners from countries like Brazil and Venezuela are traded here.
According to information from the International Organization for Migration, there are many types of human trafficking in Guyana. This includes domestic slavery, sexual slavery, forced labor, child soldiers and child marriages, prostitution another and removal of an illegal organ.
All forms of human trafficking are of concern. Not only foreigners are traded here but many Guyanese as well. I know a young woman who was trafficked a few years ago and who was never the same. She was taken inside and forced into prostitution. Not only did he become addicted to drugs but he also suffered from mental illness. Being in a state of turmoil where you no longer have freedom will ensure human experience. Through what lens will a trafficked child see the world? Our world is in constant chaos because a lot of the damage starts with the little ones.
The conversations about illegal organ removal have always worried me. Imagining that this could be happening in Guyana is frightening. I became aware of this practice years ago when I followed a case in the United States where a young man was missing and when he was found dead all his major organs had been removed. Anyone who has seen the movie “Get Out ‘can interpret the film as a metaphor for the practice of illegal organ extraction. There are powerful people in this world who prey on the common man. Parasites and predators of this world seek not only to control the masses but to feed on our weaknesses, our energies, our labor and our bodies.
Whether it is one or a hundred people missing at any one time in Guyana, it is worrying. Fortunately, people are often missing.
Unfortunately, Joel Skeete, 19, never returned home. He was last seen alive on March 31st and his rotten body was found on April 5th stuck between rocks on the river bank. The autopsy revealed he drowned. To lose a child in such mysterious circumstances, I can only imagine the pain of his loved ones.
And then there was Avinash Fernandes, 20, who was last seen alive on April 5th at his campsite at 13 Miles Trail Line Backdam, Arakaka. On April 8th, he was found floating in the Arakaka River. The autopsy revealed he died of asphyxiation due to hand choking. The results of the autopsy suggest that he was murdered and dumped into the river. Hopefully the case will be resolved.
Finally, 21-year-old Shonette Dover of Linden has been missing for a couple of weeks. We can only hope that this young woman will eventually be found alive.
Young or old, we must always be aware of our environment and the potential dangers. We want the world to be utopia. Imagining a world where there is no evil and we all live in peace, love and harmony is uplifting. But our delusions will not save us. Some believe that hell is somewhere in the afterlife where the wicked will burn forever but look around our world. Can’t you see that there are many signs that hell is here?
Unfortunately, many of us seem to be alive, but the essence of what makes us human is missing. Many have died on the inside before they had a chance to actually live. Therefore, the missing are not just the missing, but the missing ones are those who walk around but are not present and waiting to die.
Heaven is the bliss when we know ourselves. When can we look within ourselves and be one with the universe. Peace and inner love can save us during the many storms. We must embrace it.