Warao teen in safe house

THE 13-year-old Warao teenager who was rescued from a house on Holy Thursday is receiving educational training with the assistance of a bilingual teacher. She is also receiving counselling and is adapting well to the services provided to her at the safe house where she is being kept.

Yesterday marked nine weeks since the teen was moved to the safe house, which is run by the Living Water Community. The Immigration Department was assigned responsibility to work closely with its Venezuelan counterparts to decide what is to become of the teenager.

Yesterday chairman of the Children’s Authority Hanif Benjamin said he could not say why it was taking so long for a decision to be made on her future. "This is a novel case. We have never had a case like this, so I cannot speak to the processes of the other agencies. But I do know they are doing what they need to do. I cannot determine how fast or slow it will happen."

However, he said the teen is doing very well and has adapted to her new living arrangements. “The child is still in our care. She is receiving counselling. We were able to get a bilingual teacher. We are also partnering with Living Water. We are engaged in educational stuff, continue to liaise with all necessary agencies – very much involved.

On April 7, Southern Division police rescued the girl from a house where she was being kept by a 26-year-old man who illegally brought her into this country. When she was initially interviewed she said the man married her in a Warao tribal ceremony with the full blessings of her parents.

She did not say if the marriage was consummated but begged the police to let her be reunited with her husband. Police have been looking for the man ever since.