Five of the nine children born to Rohan Hanoman and Gita Ramdeen were left to fend for themselves for three weeks while their father, then mother, went job-hunting in Linden.

During the period they survived on boiled fish which they caught in the river themselves and rice. They had no milk, no oil, only a little sugar and no flour. The children were forced to wear soiled clothing every day as there was no one to look after them except their 13-year-old sibling, Suresh Ramdeen, who served as a surrogate parent.

Following reports in this newspaper highlighting the matter both parents hastily returned to be reunited with the lads who yesterday donned donated vests and slippers and at last smiled broadly with sincerity when Stabroek News visited them.

Speaking to this newspaper yesterday Rohan, who has been criticised for neglecting his family responsibilities and taking to the bottle, pledged that he was going to make a complete turnaround in his life.
Home sweet home: Flanked by their parents Gita Ramdeen and Rohan Hanoman, the Ramdeen boys and girl yesterday enjoyed the warmth of having their parents around once again. (Ken Moore photo)

"Ah gon stop drinking because like dat is a problem and I will stay home with me children," the middle-aged canecutter of Vive La Force, West Bank Demerara declared while casting his net into the Demerara River.

He said some of the criticisms levelled at him were unfair, arguing that he had always tried to maintain his family.

"I know that I used to drink plenty, but ah does try me best to take care ah them," Rohan, who will now earn $946 per day as an out-of-crop canecutter painting at Guysuco's Wales Estate, said.

Rohan explained that he went to Linden in search of a job because the type of work offered to canecutters during the out-of-crop season was very demeaning. The man said some persons were only offered 4-5 days of work per week and after taxation their take home wage would be between $1,800-$2,000.

He said the money was too little and as such most canecutters like him would seek other jobs during the out-of-crop period rather than work with the estate. He added that the type of work that was usually available is very demanding and a number of persons would refuse to do it. Rohan said that fortunately for him the Stabroek News reports highlighting his family's plight had prompted the Wales Factory Manager to visit him at home. He said the manager offered him a job in the factory as a painter and he accepted.

He added that he would be working 5 and one 1/2 days per week and will use all the money in the upkeep of his family.

An official of Food for the Poor had told this newspaper that Rohan was a frequent rum drinker who spent little time with his family. The official said the agency had previously adopted the family but because of the parents' attitude the assistance was withdrawn.

Rohan said he was willing to change his ways, adding that he has since discussed with his wife birth control measures which they would take.

He said that in Linden he was earning $750 per day as a gardener and he was saving the money to purchase a seine to start catching fish to sell.

Meanwhile, Gita promised that the children will be attending school today. She confirmed that only five of them have birth certificates but the Ministry of Human Services was working to secure the other four.

Both Gita and Rohan are scheduled to meet with officials at the ministry on Wednesday at which time Rohan said he hopes to bring up the matter of a house lot. Food for the Poor has offered to build a house for the family but this would depend on whether they had a house lot. Rohan said he was aware of the offer and would be trying hard to secure a plot of land.

The family is currently living in a one-bedroom zinc and wood shack at Vive La Force Squatting Area.

With regard to the children's welfare, Gita said things had begun to look good for them. She said a few persons had donated clothing for the boys along with groceries and other foodstuff. Gita said they were very thankful for the assistance, noting that the boys now have more clothing.

Meanwhile, the youngsters were very happy yesterday. Suresh said he was overjoyed that his parents have returned. The teenager mentioned that they attended church yesterday and were enjoying themselves for the time being.

Yesterday, they were busy listening to music on a tape recorder and were keen to get their small boat into the river. Asked why the children were being allowed to catch fish in the river, Rohan said he did not permit it but whenever he was not around other villagers would encourage them.

Rohan said he also wants to plant a kitchen garden but the area was not fertile.

Of the nine children, seven are boys.