Police reach out to 20-year-old ‘mothering’ eight siblings

Twenty Year Old Keshia of Calcutta Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara who has been caring for herself and eight siblings since her mother died in child birth

By Shawn Semple 

What started out as just a noble gesture on Sunday for some female police ranks of ‘C’ Division in observance of Mothers’ Day, turned out to be an eye opener for them and ten young pageant contestants who accompanied them for a hamper distribution on Mothers’ Day along the East Coast Demerara.

Deputy Commander Denise Griffith, Assistant Superintendent Shavon Jupiter, Inspectors Roberta Smith and Hatty Anthony had an original plan of popping into random churches to present hampers to the oldest and youngest mothers, a task they were able to accomplish.

A delegate presents a hamper to a young mother in church

“Through this I think we can strengthen our public relation within this Division” Griffith told BIG Smith Crime Watch on Sunday.

After that aspect of the exercise was exhausted, the all women team assisted by two male drivers began using their policing skills to profile families who they thought might best be in need of goodies.

It was those profiling skills that led them to 20 year old Keshia of Calcutta Mahaicony who has been caring for herself and eight siblings with the youngest being 2-years old.

According to what was communicated to the police by the young woman, her mother died at child birth some time back as she was about to deliver her tenth child; both mother and baby were unable to make it out alive from the delivery room.

During the visit, the young lady met the team even as her dress was soaked, it turned out that when she was interrupted to receive the hamper; she was in the process of washing the school and other clothing of her siblings as she prepared them for school on Monday.

Keshia explained that since her mother’s death, she has been leading the family’s affairs and ensuring that her younger siblings are properly taken care of.

Although the hamper would serve to alleviate some amount of strain that Keshia has been dealing with in ensuring the survival of her siblings and herself, it remains clear that the household needs all the assistance they can have.

Yesterday’s exercise saw the distribution of 22 hampers. The police also went in search of two of their own who have been away from the job for some time due to illnesses, unfortunately the two were not reached as they had gone to church in the city.

Deputy Commander Griffith presents a hamper to an elderly mother

‘C’ Division is headed by Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus. However the commander was not present at Sunday’s event as he wanted the women of his division to leave the charge, based on what was communicated to BIG Smith Crime Watch. The Police ‘C’ Division is the only police division at the moment where the serving Deputy Commander is a woman.

Communities which were visited by the team included Sophia, Mon Repos, Buxton, Mahaica and Supply among others.