Crime, violence, human security, and the lack of it are among the most compelling issues of our time, and certainly the most reported-on topic in the media. But what happens after the headlines and cameras are gone? Tonight we'll see how families, specifically mothers, cope with losing a child. Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting, [keithkswift@gmail.com]
These women have two things in common. The first is that they are all mothers and the second is that they've all lost sons to either violence or negligence. Elizabeth Howard still wells up when she thinks back to August 25th of 2004 when her only son was killed.
Elizabeth Howard, Son Killed at Sea
"In the year 2004, August the 25th, to be exact, I got the news that
I lost my only son. His name was Denroy Howard." [Sobbing]
Keith Swift,
Its still emotional for you...
Elizabeth Howard,
"Why? Because I'll never be able to rest my son and its difficult for me. Honestly, it's difficult. I don't even know what happened, all I was told is that my son jumped out of a boa and they have never seen him. Up to today I haven't get any closure. I don't know and that kind of tore my family apart. "
That pain of losing a child is equally difficult for Sonia Myvette. This is her son Elion Augustine. He was killed in 2004; not by violence but by negligence.
Sonia Myvette, Son Killed in Accident
"I'm angry by the verdict of the case because the person who did it walked down the Supreme Court without no responsibility for this case. It's a constant pain, it's a pain that wakes you up out of your sleep. As I was saying, like how the Valentine's Day had come, that year for my son, he was making all these cookies for BFLA and he was hyped up. Scenes like that don't leave you,
those come back fresh. On his birthday it is a fresh thing everyday coming out here seeing the guys on the street side but I try to move on."
And while these mothers say they can never fully move on, they can try to heal and that's where Mothers Against Violence comes in. Today we met these mothers in a counseling session with Fermin Olivera from the Community Rehabilitation Bureau. The support group meets regularly inside this renovated church on Kraal Road. Its founder Liz Longsworth says they have 20 members with different stories but one common thread - grief.
Liz Longsworth, Mothers Against Violence
"For mothers the grieving is never done, but by coming out and sharing our grief that is what is helping right now."
Keith Swift,
You guys are sharing with another?
Liz Longsworth,
"Yes we are sharing our grief with each another. You could be a parent, and aunt or whoever is grieving and we won't only leave it as the grieving mothers, we are getting as a community to find out what's causing the grieving and that's most problems in the community. The young men must be disgruntled about something and that is why they started to kill one another. So the basis of the grieving started from some where and we have to address it from there."
And while that seems like a small step, Howard and Myvette say it's a giant one for them.
Elizabeth Howard,
"It's just because of this group that i can speak out. This must be the same time I am on TV or whatever but this is the first time I'll be able to say...I can talk, I am not alone. The first year I could not talk to anybody without feeling strong and they are there to support me. From this group I get respect. I know that there are people who care."
Sonia Myvette,
"It makes me feel that I am not alone."
Elizabeth Howard,
"The group has supported me and its like family; a bigger, part of a bigger family."
A new family for these women - built on a foundation of grief and loss but with a hope to eventually heal.
The group meets regularly and if you want to join you can either contact Liz Longsworth or the Police Department. We note that exactly one week ago a jury acquitted Holman Katanegie of manslaughter by negligence in connection with the death of Elion Augustine.
