Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
The Children’s Authority has begun gathering data on child exploitation among Venezuelan migrants, amid growing concerns about children—some as young as five—begging on the streets across Trinidad.
Officials have started visiting several areas where Venezuelan children are seen, collecting information on their living conditions, safety, and access to education.
Yesterday, Coordinator of the La Romaine Migrant Support Group, Angie Ramnarine, said she recently accompanied officials from the Children’s Authority through parts of San Fernando, where children were seen begging.
Checks by Guardian Media revealed that Venezuelan children have been begging with adults near Gulf View, La Romaine. A security officer said there appeared to be a turf war among the Venezuelans, who often fight over areas where they beg. He also claimed that some people who refused to give money later complained about scratches to their vehicles.
Venezuelan migrants have also been seen begging along Palmiste Boulevard, near Duncan Village, San Fernando, and along Olivere Drive, Penal.
Ramnarine said she was aware of these reports and had raised concerns with the authority about allegations that some migrants were renting their children to others for the day to beg for alms.
“I met with Julia Bellamy of the Children’s Authority two Fridays ago, and we went around looking at children begging in San Fernando. And the thing is, what the Children’s Authority is most concerned about is the exploitation of children and using the children on the streets for begging purposes,” Ramnarine said.
Meanwhile, along the coasts in Icacos, there has been a growing population of Warao children in need of proper shelter and nutritious food.
“They don’t have any kind of help that they need because of the geographic position of Icacos. Also, their culture is a little bit different from that of other Venezuelan children, so they also tend to be marginalised.”
Ramnarine said she hoped for positive interventions to keep migrant children off the streets and to provide them with access to quality healthcare and education.
Sources said a meeting will soon be held with Venezuelan Ambassador Alvaro Sanchez Cordero, as calls intensify for stronger protection and schooling for these vulnerable minors.
Last week, former president of the Pharmacy Association Wazir Hosein also called for assistance for Warao children. He described the situation in Icacos as alarming, saying the children have a right to proper food, clothing, education, and shelter.
Guardian Media reached out to the Children’s Authority for comment, and we are expecting a response.
