THE body of three-year-old Douquan Edwards, the child from Tender Care Play Group, who drowned at Marudi Creek during a church outing on August 1, was yesterday laid to rest at the Ogle Cemetery, East Coast Demerara.

His body was open for viewing at Sandy’s Funeral Home, Chapel Street, earlier in the day, and then it was removed to his parents’ home, Fourth Street, Industry, for a Home Going Celebratory Service, conducted by Pastor Colin Kendall.
It was an emotional moment for relatives, friends, his teachers and playschool mates as the coffin was opened up, revealing the child’s cute and handsomely clad little body, surrounded by more than a dozen stuffed toys which he had treasured during his lifetime.
The lawns of the family’s home was filled to overflowing, with mourners and sympathisers, spilling onto the roadways and nearby yards. In a very moving eulogy, a relative, Felicia Belle, relived his memory and Principal of the Tender Care Play Group and Nursery, Ms. Linda Mc Calmon, also delivered a tribute. Douquan had been in the care of the teachers there, ever since he was about nine months old.
Just one month ago on July 5, 2013, Douquan made probably his final ceremonial appearance at the school, during his graduation exercise, when he was awarded a certificate for successful completion of the Play Group’s programme of activities for the year 2012/2013.
He was due to enter Nursery level in the upcoming academic year 2013/2014, beginning September, but such plans were tragically dashed on August 1 when he was taken on a church outing at Marudi Creek and lost his life in the cold, black waters.
Deep anguish was evident everywhere yesterday as his parents and relatives braced themselves to face the final hour.
Meanwhile, in order to allow the staff of both Tender Care Play Group and Nursery School at 20 George Street, Werk-en-Rust to attend the funeral, the institution remained closed for the entire day yesterday but will resume today as usual.
Douquan Emmanuel Edwards is survived by his parents Desmond Anthony Edwards and Shamela Brown, sister Shania Edwards, grandparents Jacqueline Browne and Mary Alert and other relatives.