Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Oct 10, 2012 Letters
Dear Editor,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this in response to Elizabeth Henry’s Dear Editor from September 2. I realize it was over a month ago, but it is little surprise that no other advocate for the villagers of Aishalton has stepped forward.
The village is uneducated and culturally lost at the crossroads of traditional Amerindian lifestyle and the influence of western culture. Few people have access to newspapers, let alone internet access to send “Letter to the Editor” in their own defense.
Due to poor education they are easily swayed by the words of local and regional politicians. I was a WorldTeach volunteer in Aishalton until July of this year, and experienced first hand the hardships that inundate the community. If I must speak for the village from abroad than so be it.
Let me first be absolutely clear: Clayborn, Mark and Adrian, the boys that tragically died in December 2011, did not die in a dormitory fire. They were buried in a collapsing river bank. I know this because I put them into their coffins. Please do not use them as tools in political warfare.
I expect Elizabeth Henry has never been to the Hinterland. She seems to think that all parts of Guyana are equal in the eye of the government and that protesting in Aishalton would have any impact whatsoever.
The truth is the government of Guyana does not care about Aishalton or other similar villages. It can afford not to. They are not a large voter base or a source of economic power.
The power generator in Aishalton broke down in November 2011 and to my knowledge is still nonfunctional. Aishalton is an eight-hour truck ride from Lethem, the nearest gas station, bank, or post office.
While I was teaching at the secondary school we nearly ran out of chalk. There is not enough furniture for students to sit down in school. A majority of the staff at the secondary school have no qualifications. Want to know why a protest in Aishalton would never work? My volunteer site mate and I tried to start one! Few people wanted to participate. Why? The Amerindian people are culturally non-confrontational, and unfortunately accustomed to abuse.
The government knows this which is why it is in no rush to improve village life. Henry’s assertion that “You villagers should be ashamed of yourselves to be living under those conditions in these modern times,” makes it clear, that like the Guyanese government, she too cares little for these people.
If is truly democracy you seek, Elizabeth, maybe you should advocate for the neediest citizens of your country, instead of ridiculing them.
Samuel Lindauer
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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