Dear Editor,
I have been quiet for some time. I wanted to take a break from writing to the newspaper. But I felt compelled to write this letter. It was like fire shut-up in my bones. It forced me to write again. After this, I’ll take a break from writing again.
Here it is. Here is what is troubling me and keeping me up at night: What will happen to the children who age out of the orphanages and don’t have any family members willing to take them?
I am facing this dilemma right now. Thirteen years ago I found Moses (Not his real name) on the seawall; he was four years old.
He had no one to care for him. For two years, I paid a caregiver to keep him and sent him to private school. After a while, his caregiver wanted nothing to do with him.
At six years old, he wasn’t potty trained and it caused a strain on the marriage. He became a burden to the family.
So he was placed in an orphanage. He remains there today.
But recently I was informed that he was getting into a lot trouble and was suspended from school. And he is on the verge of being kicked out of school.
The orphanage is also tired of him getting into trouble and wants him out. Even though, we are not related, the orphanage is begging me to find a home. No family members want him.
Editor, what do I do? I don’t know anyone who would want a 17 year old who gets into trouble, unable to read and write, even though he went to high school. Who would want to take a chance on Moses?
What will happen to him if the orphanage is unable to place him with a family? What will happen to the children currently in the orphanage when they age out?
Editor, I am deeply concerned about Moses’ future. Barring a miracle from God, I am afraid he will follow a bad path.
He has been in the orphanage ten years. And it’s going to be a difficult for him to transition from the orphanage to the streets. The transition is like a man leaving prison after spending many years.
After reading this letter, I am praying that someone will come forward to take him home.
Editor, you see, Moses never had a home or family. His father died when he was just a child, and his mother had a nervous breakdown and was unable to care for him. No family member was ever involved in his life. He was on his own and all alone and lonely. A child without a family, home, chance, an opportunity or an option.
Editor, for over a decade, I have been the only constant and consistent person in his life. Every visit to this country, my children and I willingly and gladly visited him over the years.
Editor, I wish I could tell you that Moses is a good child, but I can’t. I wish I could tell you that he is a hard worker but I can’t. I wish I could tell you that taking care of him would be easy, but I can’t.
However, I can tell you that he’s a quiet person, but he has a bad temper. I can tell you that he needs a lot of love, and he is loving. I can tell you that he is unable to communicate and follow simple instructions.
This may be due to his inability to read and write. I can tell you that he has a mind of a six year old.
Editor, I wish there is someone willing to take a chance and take Moses home.
I can’t tell you how grateful I would be. I don’t want to him to end up on the streets and into trouble.
Editor, many people will ask why don’t I take him in my home. Unfortunately, I do not live in Guyana so I can’t take him home. I love him like I love my own children.
Editor, I know that he comes with lots of baggage, but what if he turns out to be a famous person? All I am asking for is for someone to give him a chance.
Please contact me for more information on Moses
Phone 592-675-3062 local or WhatsApp
Email quallis1_s@yahoo.com
Yours faithfully,
Anthony Pantlitz
