A news report has been making the rounds this week of the alleged rape of a nine-year-old girl who had been placed in a children’s home. It is said the incident occurred on Labour Day, and in the middle of Child Month. As happens with such events, the child’s mother has been sharing details on the life of her child and family. It has brought out for discussion the up-and-down difficulties that our children are too often faced with.

It is not the first time that we are being told of the hardships of childcare and welfare. In times past, we’ve heard discussions trying to reason away such occurrences. Some will say “the girl force-ripe” — meaning she has developed into being “older” than her years, in effect, shifting the blame from the perpetrator to the victim.

Unfortunately, young females seem to be the most vulnerable to this form of evil. For this child, and others like her, there will be many years of emotional pain ahead. Let us hope she is helped to recover. Why is it that so many of our young women have had such a hard life from the day they were born? As to what should happen to the perpetrator? Don’t get me started!

The news reports have stated that the relevant child protection agencies are investigating the recent matter to ensure that appropriate action is taken. Well, let’s see. Are the authorities fully satisfied that the care of young girls, in particular, is maintained at a level at which they will be able to mature into productive adults? The broken life of a child takes time to mend. The other troubling matter is the charges brought against perpetrators of crime. Will it be only the mothers and the children who pay the price? Surely it is full time to make it clear that the evil ones bear a heavier cost.

Royal watch

On a different note, a bit of story about the marriage of a prince and princess, or is it the duke and duchess of Sussex, as they have now been officially titled? When will they pay us a visit here? They’re no strangers to our land, having visited our holiday sites before. We wouldn’t mind them being seen in the limelight, especially when it comes to tourism. Who wouldn’t mind hitting the headlines?

Not everybody is royalty mad. Though a certain person declared that he had no time for princes and weddings — being an avid fan of all things African — he was more than interested in Prince Harry being in global headlines for his charity work. Among other things, he has assumed responsibility for young boys in the country of Lesotho where the Sentebale Charity, founded in 2006 by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, has built a centre for vulnerable children. It is stories like that which recall memories of our dearly departed friends Peter and Daphne Abrahams. They will always be remembered and their memory kept alive.

Mama Mia

Meanwhile, there is the remarkable story within the Caribbean, Barbados to be exact, as history was made with Mia Mottley being sworn in as prime minister of that nation after her party swept the polls in her country last week. She joins the list of female leaders in the Caribbean which include the late Dame Eugenia Charles of Dominica and Janet Jagan of Guyana. There is, as well, Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago and Portia Simpson Miller of Jamaica, both of whom are still with us. Mottley will lead her people in the absence of members of an Opposition. It will be interesting to see how she balances that feat of representing those who voted for her party as well as those who have no elected representative to speak for them.

Mottley will be attending the Caricom heads meeting here in July when Prime Minister Andrew Holness will take up the leadership reins of the organisation. Let’s see if there will be a renewed interest in Caricom and further progress for the region.

Don’t fool with the environment!

Global interest on matters such as climate change continues as we start the Atlantic hurricane season. Let us take heed. Planet Earth is an unpredictable place. We are fortunate enough that forecasters can give fair warning before storms head our way. The volcanic eruptions happening in Hawaii, for instance, remain frightening. We’ve seen the images of roaring streams of lava and fireballs flung from the depths of the Earth into the air, threatening the lives of residents, their crops, livestock, and homes, while placing the main island of Hawaii in jeopardy.

Thanks be that we don’t have to face that worry, although neighbouring Caribbean islands, such as Montserrat, have had their experiences with devastating volcanic activity. Government officials in Hawaii have been calling upon its citizens to be on guard as the jaws of the Earth open and fire claims the land. The people of Hawaii can only hope that an end will come and the battle to rebuild will begin.

Meanwhile sadness fills the island of Puerto Rico. Imagine how, after the difficulties brought on by Hurricane Maria last year, they are now facing news of a death toll numbering in the thousands. There is anger, we are told, as the reasons for the new figures are being laid at the feet of the authorities. A study has revealed that many deaths which occurred were due to the power outages which severely affected hospitals and other areas offering medical care. The Puerto Rican authorities may be feeling embarrassment, but problems will always be at hand. May Puerto Rico recover from the battle and continue efforts to revive.

On the US mainland, the eastern coast has been dealing with the first hurricane of the season. Alberto made landfall in Florida and marched his way north. Rain was unleashed on the Carolinas leading to the death of two journalists who were covering the storm. The torrential outbursts caused landslides and floods, washing away vehicles and more. Human beings have to be sensible and sensitive or they too will be destroyed if we do not respect the powers of Mother Nature. With the fire, the rain, the battles we face on this planet, let us hope that it will not be too long before the Earth goes calm once more. If not soon, we may need to check Noah and ask for a cotch in the ark.

Barbara Gloudon is a journalist, playwright and commentator. Send comments to the Observer or gloudonb@yahoo.com.