Guyana: The Cost Of Sugar By David Dabydeen

A short film produced by Dr David Dabydeen gives a clear-eyed perspective of the situation that afflicts the workers and the communities linked with the now-closed Wales Estate. The situation as the film narrates is similar to the circumstances that grips thousands of Guyanese and scores of communities across the country as the Government ill-considered and clearly callous policy of sugar miniataurisation takes hold with delterious consqeunces as the short film illustrates. Indeed, it is a policy that has no credible explanation and one that spells terrible times for the future.

[@dannysurujbali73]

That well spoken young lady Devinand breaks my heart, her future wishes broken apart. I’m sure if there is a mechanism in place which allows us abroad to contribute we can in whatever way possible.

[@KC-zx8zx]

How can we reach out to the families involved in this documentary? Super unfortunate that the kids are being pulled away from school, I would like to help to get the little girl get some sort of assistance. Thanks.

[@rnjan99]

Thank you for putting together this piece, Dr. Dabydeen. The story about the little girl is especially moving. How can we be in touch with that family to help her to get back to school? I wished we would have gotten comments from the previous govt as to why they shut down the estates, and address the question of costs of production of sugar.

[@rayjil7435]

I wonder why you did not have a reply after six months. I could not figure out the school she attended. Could someone say?

[@chappellandstone4491]

@@rayjil7435 I am also interested in helping her - did you get any reply - the problem will be on how to get the funds to her directly .

[@rayjil7435]

@@chappellandstone4491 No reply. But think twice when emotions are involved.😁

[@ferozek1839]

I must say the man represents the workers is a bless. You are a good man God bless 🙌

[@Reza-1223]

This is a nice documentary. When was this recorded? The kids that had to stay away from school, can they not apply for some sort of allowances and be able to return to school? They should do so. Education is a key to success in life. I hope that the children find ways to seek help and return to school. 🇬🇾💯🙏👍

[@dhanrajmohan701]

Public comments. Building your wonderful country is a blessing 🙏. Unity and peace amount every one.

[@majie1018]

Sugar is the biggest employer in Guyana. The government must kept it open at all cost if not it will be the creation of mass poverty. Even though they lack the technical skills/manpower, old factories that are out dated and most of all, the government fail to recover the lost expertise to migration.

[@BantuKing]

I appreciate you showing the domino effect of closing the sugar estates and the economic plight of the people and communities. My question is, if these estates were a viable staple for the communities, how come the infrastructure of these communities are still back in the 1800? Sugar should not only be profitable to the communities, but to the country at large. When was the last time sugar made a profit, and how do we make the industry viable unto itself?

[@CGACASA1]

How can we get in touch with the families that are effected . I would like to help the gentleman out that’s having a hard time providing for his family .

[@josephramdas2502]

There is a amazing level of socialistic mindset within the guyanese people. To depend on a job from the government is to surrender your life to the government. And to nonsense of a companionate government is laughable. Stop giving the government all the control of your life and be independent of the government. It will help the country in the long run. Because you won't vote for someone because of what they promise to give you.

[@davidmiles-hanschell]

It's time for reparations; some justice for the descendants of sugar workers who were exploited ; firms like Bookers McConnel, Tate&Lyle, to name a few, and many other firms here in the United Kingdom should be held accountable.

[@dhanrajmohan701]

Public comments. Faith and courage is important to protect your self and family by building your immune system and blood count and pH level is to fight against virus and general hygiene daily and take necessary precaution daily and eating healthy food and nutrition daily.

[@FreeUlock]

Good work!👍👍

[@bysonchi]

The sad reality reality, is generation after generation of cane cutters trapped in a state of poverty. Will the government continue to use tax payers money to keep these people locked in a state of poverty and hopelessness. This is the 21st century, not the 19th. Provide education and training, so they can transition to better employment; as opposed to this modern day indentured abuse.

[@skrmacs4815]

sugar is a valuable product. Not everyone wants to sit in an office

[@bysonchi]

@@skrmacs4815 You're right Einstein, I'm sure cane cutters love spending their lives in the hot humid sun and trenches; not to mention picketing for a substandard, below the poverty line wage; just because they hate sitting in offices. Can't make this crap up, smh.

[@rajavendra]

Looking at this video is very heart broken those are my people I was born an raised in Wales my family work on that sugar plantation I even work in the machinical work shop as a fitter machinist now I live in ny move here 13 yrs now seeing this video hits hard

[@anilsinghthanksu3356]

Respect bro, my heart go out to u guys....I want to come Guyana...create jobs...anywhere I am , bring development...around me ..

[@premanji7654]

Q Dr. Dabydeen < What has Dr. Anthony and comrades done for Sugar workers ? List the accomplishments !

[@jennydesouza9593]

The byproduct of sugar are very important.Do you know it was in Guyana the Smut Sugar cane disease was discovered in 1974 . THIS HELP TO PRESERVE THE INDUSTRY IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

[@premanji7654]

1992 to 2022 - Dr Anthony how many years you and comrades had a chance to change and choose sugar progress. ? Blame who ?

[@oliviarivera7243]

My daddy used to pull me on the the little punt when I was living in Guyana

[@mikeandrews6543]

Did the powers that be from the current vice president period etc ever educate the people on the dangers the artificial ripening of the sugarcane have on the ratons and the over all yeilds, why didn't they used the money the EU gave them and invest in diversifying the sector by collaborating with companies like GPL to use the bagasse to generate power etc , Brazil is right next door why didn't the collaborate with them to build the Skeldon factory? They bring a company from way over in Asia, that factory was among the downfall of the corporation

[@AJ-gn4pp]

This documentary failed to mention a few very important facts. #1 The previous government of TWENTY THREE years headed by Jadgeo (PPP) never invested in the proper upkeeping of the estate. It was deteriorating and proven unsafe, breaking so many safety codes. Which is what lead the new head of state at the time to shut it down. Guyana was a drug mule for 23yrs that's why any new president entering at the time won't be able to magically make money appear to fix every issue the former President of 23 yrs created. So all the sad experiences in this documentary is truly heartbroken. But imagine what the stories would have been if Granger allowed a detoriated building to collapse and kill 5000 employees? It was a tough decision. Do I shut down an unsafe building, or do I allow it to collapse? Here is the big question. Why did Granger not fix it instead of shutting it down? With what money? Jadgeo was the lead drug lord in Guyana, and that's why the estates and infrastructure were never maintained. Greed. So the creator of this documentary is indeed very one-sided. Speak the facts. Let the public know why the estate was truly shut down, not the aftermath and unemployment that occurred due to the closure. It had to be closed. It's like when Obama took office, everyone blamed him for the country's problems but failed to see how the previous administration created most of the issues.

[@dhanrajmohan701]

Public comments. Think before you act. Be positive don't allow your mind to control your but you control your mind. Way to help family by plant garden and fishing. Sad education is number one priority. Child have faith and prayers move mountains 🙏🙏🙏. Never give up on life.

[@skrmacs4815]

where is this little girl? How do I contact her?

[@makelallbrijlall1027]

Spiting sugar workers because of their ppp support

[@harrynarine6644]

I would like to help this kid.

[@dhanrajmohan701]

Public comments. I am happy the PPP civil government open back the estate. Don't think negitive about your children. Stand firm.

[@balramtularam4147]

Sugar is expensive now

[@dhanrajmohan701]

Public comments. Sugar cane is what help Guyana back in the days .. sugar cane can be profitable. Economic balance is important and reflect on use in rum and other products. Exports I'm other countries. Guyana sugar cane good quality.

[@johndandrade7226]

Wow, my Heart breaks, call cheddi.....

[@maheshwarbhagan405]

Sad

[@daynegriffith2750]

How can i help that family. Most important that little girl go school

[@daviddesouza4737]

How much money does this child need to go to school?

[@daviddesouza4737]

I would like to help

[@johnsmith5565]

Ask the two big farmer from uitvlut

[@oralcummings4850]

These misfortunes happen worldwide,especially in the USA.The difference is ,people laid off or bounced are given severance packages,unemployment and the " full works".That is where the government of the day failed.By the way this started under the previous PPP administration,since the estates were making a loss.This is the true definition of poverty is hell whereby politicians only care about themselves after using sugar workers to get votes.Under this present government it is about to happen again GAWU is about to strike because of broken promises.