Many of Haiti's children have had no childhood. They are given away to other families by parents too poor to clothe and feed them, they are supposed to receive food, shelter and a schooling in return. For many the reality is different.
Since the devastating earthquake early last month many agencies have concerned themselves with the care of children and spoken publicly about the help required. It will be a mammoth task to attempt to reunite many of Haiti's children with their families because the collapse of the government will restrict the speed at which international agencies can work.
Last Friday a coach containing 33 Haitian children and 10 American missionaries, who claimed the children were orphans, were arrested trying to cross the border from Haiti to the Dominican Republic. Evidence has emerged that many of the 33 children with the missionaries were not orphans and some had been given by families who could no longer afford to keep them.
The group who call themselves the New Life Children's Refuge, had no paperwork and have been accused of child trafficking.
The Baptists insisted the children were orphans but last night on Channel 4 News, a Haitian pastor who was acting as an intermediary, said the children had been handed over voluntarily by their parents and he had a contact name, address and telephone number for each of them.
Since I heard this story I was uncomfortable with the spokeswoman's words: "God is the one who called us to come here and we just believed that this was his purpose." Sadly not all Christians are good people.
After reflecting on the pastor's words about a name, address and phone number, I realise these children may have had a lucky escape, a very lucky escape. If a family can't afford to clothe and feed their children would they have a telephone?
The official religion of Haiti is Roman Catholicism. Isn't it time the Vatican gained some common sense and permitted the use of condoms rather than have so many children subjugated to a life of hell?
These children will possibly be returned to their families who may well attempt to give them away again. What hope is there for them? The chance that some who offer them a better life just may be telling the truth?
Global Research provides a set of videos which give an eye-witness account of the overall current situation. You may find them worthwhile along with this article.
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17 comments:
SR,
Don't ge me started on these types of Christians, brain washed do-gooders. As bad as other religious fundamentalists in my opinion, religionis used as a control mechanisms, humans inherently know right from wrong.
Massive storm here but bonnie non the less!
CD
I've been reading about Haiti's children in the past few years Ronnie and now this earthquake leaves them more exposed to the sinister and sordid side of life.
Don't get me started either CD, I was most restrained in the post.
Snow started here around an hour ago. Lying but bonnie none the less!!
S
Contact the Romanian Government they can give them Moldavian passports and then come and live in the UK.
ask them to say they would vote snp and relocate them to scotland ..heigh! ho! problem solved
It would be a shame if this gave the wrong impression. As a confirmed atheist I am nonetheless full of respect for what a lot of Christians are inspired to do by their faith.
But then they don't steal children.
The issue of the RC Church's stance on condoms is I think scripturally ridiculous. But whenever you argue against the RC Church you are called a sectarian bigot. I always say as an atheist I can't be sectarian, as I don't support any religion, but it'll get hurled at you as an accusation anyway.
It's too tragic a subject for jokes Niko.
It would be a shame but it's reality sadly Observer. There will always be people who use religion for sinister reasons.
Auch I suppose I can cope with being called a sectarian bigot Observer, but I did feel the family planning issue needed a mention.
Mr. Mxyzptlk said...
Now who has been doing that for 13 years?
Subrosa this is an awful story. Sadly our grandchildren may well end up like this.
It's nigh on unbelievable OR. I saw your post today and you're right, they may well do, unless we can manage somehow to get honest, caring politicians in government who put the country first.
Rosie, this condom issue and the Catholic church is one that really annoys me. My wife is a Catholic and the only time we get anywhere near arguing about religion is over this. I tghink the Catholic Church and the Popes should be charged with geocide for what they have done particulary in Africa with thius issue. This is NOT a anti-Catholic thing but they even have missionares telling lies about condom use , ie that AIDS can still penetrate and they're are tiny holes in them etc. A bloody disgrace and you know I'm not one for the swearing!
Not coming anytime soon
THE TRUTH ABOUT LOCKERBIE.
http://lockerbiecase.blogspot.com/
It is a bluddy disgrace DL and you know I don't swear. All my adult life I've never understood women who allow another human to dictate the most important decisions in their lives. Then again, I'm not a catholic.
I've known plenty catholic women who have ignored that particular piece of religious law though and without any guilt.
Do we think the Haitian phone system is up and running just at the moment?
Do we think people who are so impoverished that they hand their children over to strangers (or to their local priest to hand over to strangers) actually have telephones?
Of course, I could be wrong and every shack and tent in the country could be flood-wired. I don't think so, though.
I don't think so either SE. It was the pastor who confirmed my doubts.
What are the causes of the extreme poverty of the Haitians that contributed so devestatingly to this tragedy and had made Haiti a 'Hell on earth' even before this disaster? Good article here about the media coverage of the disaster and some info about the history of haiti: http://www.medialens.org/
Another good article concerning Haiti:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24582.htm
Many thanks for the links Selma, the more people understand why Haiti has been kept in poverty the better. As yet I don't see the French taking much responsibility for their part do you?
And we're supposed to be joining with them on a military basis. I despair.
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