Latest update May 8th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 12, 2013 News
…Kissoon welcomes inquiry
By Leon Suseran
Public hearings into the operations of the Camal International Home for Abused Women and Children begin today at the Albion Sports Complex on the Corentyne. The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has announced that public hearings will be held where members of the public are invited to express their views and give information regarding allegations of maltreatment of children at the popular orphanage.
The inquiry is being conducted in the wake of the recent arrest of three young girls who resided at the Camal International Home, and subsequent allegations of maltreatment of children housed at the Institution. The girls were arrested and sentenced to the New Opportunity Corps. They have since been released and are being housed at the Canaan Home at Port Mourant.
The Inquiry, headed by Mrs. Ayo Dalgetty-Dean, will review the operations of the home in accordance with the Minimum Operating Standards for Children’s Homes and Institutions. Other members of the investigating team are Ms. Saudia Feroze and Mrs. Erma Bovell, both of whom are members of the Visiting Committee for Children’s Homes and Institutions; Ms. Joan Ann Edghill, Legal Counsel at the Child Care and Protection Agency; and Mrs. Claudia Munroe, Senior Probation and Social Services Officer.
A very emotional Carmen Kissoon, head caretaker of Camal International Home, said that she welcomes the Inquiry. Kissoon, who will be present during today’s public hearings, said that she will set the record straight to “Ms. Webster and Ann Greene.”
“I am going to tell Webster and Ann Greene my side of the story,” she stated. Speaking about the three girls that ran away from the home, Kissoon said that it was the second time they did. “They wanted to go and they ran away before. The Probation Department brought them back and we took them back, and then they ran away again. We called the police and told them that we cannot deal with these girls anymore and before anybody rape them or kill them, it is better the police handle the matter,” she said.
Speaking about allegations of making the girls do her housework, Kissoon said, “We didn’t do these girls all these things. That’s not true; all that the lady takes them to do housework are only accusations.”
The home now has 34 children, she added. It was started by herself and her husband in 1995 after they re-migrated to Guyana from Canada.
“People who always come here and know, we are not punishing them, starving them, beating them, still give us their support. We don’t have any men here—just three ladies,” she said.
Kissoon, a Canadian citizen, and Social Worker, who worked in Canadian Correctional Facilities and numerous schools, stated that her children in Canada are quite upset and ashamed. “People in Canada put so much garbage on Facebook and when my children in Canada see that, it hurts so much. Why did I leave Canada to come here and help the homeless and I am going to punish them?” she queried in tears.
“I have nothing to hide that’s why people are still supporting us, but some people who don’t know, they believe anything,” she added.
“I am very strict. I don’t allow them [the three girls] to dress anyhow, or go and walk on the road, but they are big now- 14, 15, 16- years old and they want to be free. I have nothing to hide! I am not ashamed of anything, but ashamed of how people are accusing me and harassing me.
“I know for sure I am not a bad person. I don’t know why the public is on my back. A reporter from Guyana Times made so many accusations.”
In addition to Kissoon, there are other volunteers who assist with the day-to- day operations of the home. There is a house mother, Sunita Tantoon who normally chaperone the children for the night. There is also one other individual, Sandra, from Guava Bush who comes and assist during the day.
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