SIX years ago today doctors at the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) were battling to save the life of a five-year-old survivor of the horrendous Lusignan massacre, as the nation watched and prayed.

Five-year old Roberto Thomas, shot in the abdomen with high-powered assault rifles, by marauding gunmen who invaded five homes at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, in the pre-dawn hours of January 26, 2008 kicked down doors and waged a wanton execution of family members, remained on life support and on the critical list.

Roberto, who his mother hid under a bed, while she hid behind a curtain, clutched desperately to two suitcases during the ordeal, but still somehow the bullets, indiscriminately fired, managed to hit and seriously wound the hapless five-year old.
The Thomas family was the first to come under attack by the gunmen. Three family members of that family were slain in the mayhem: Patriarch: Howard Clarence Thomas, 49; his 12-year-old daughter, Vanessa and eleven-year old son, Ron. Clarence’s wife, Gowmattie Thomas, their 19-year-old son, Howard, and five-year-old Roberto survived the tragedy. However, Howard was seriously wounded in the upper left arm, by a high powered assault weapon, while the youngest, Roberto, shot in the abdomen, was immediately placed on life support on his admission to the GPH.
It was an uphill task for doctors at the institution, who waged an unrelenting battle to save the life of the child and he remained hospitalised for three months, as did his brother Howard who was at one time in danger of losing his arm, but with doctors’ best efforts and divine intervention, both siblings recovered from their injuries.
Today, even as bereaved relatives and others across the spectrum huddle together in sober reflection, Gomattie Thomas, the matriarch of the Thomas’home, agreed, she has much to be thankful to God for sparing her life; the lives of her 5-year old shot in the abdomen who has miraculously recovered and her 19-year-old son Howard who did not lose his arm, as was feared by doctors.
And whereas, six years ago Gowmattie lost an eleven-year-old son Ron in the mayhem, today she has by her side, Roberto who has turned eleven and is keeping her company, as together they seek to put the past behind them, pick up the pieces and move on with life. Also alive and well are Mark, now 26, who at the time of the massacre was at Bartica and Howard. They have both matured and now lead their separate lives.
But incredibly, Roberto, now eleven, who now attends the Valmiki Vidyalaya Primary School at Lusignan has since, recovered so favourably, he is participating in athletics sports and emerged champion runner for the school, for the years 2012 and 2013.
Roberto, who is now preparing to write the National Grade Six Assessment Examinations in March, says he would like to one day, become an engineer and is working towards that end. His now deceased sister Vanessa was an aspiring Air Hostess, while Ron was training on the Lusignan golf course to become a golf caddie.
Asked if he has any recollections of the ill-fated day, Roberto replied: “The only thing I recall is that I heard the shots, then I feel somebody hold me and slam me against a wall, saying: ‘You in the way’!”
Reflecting on the good times he’s spent with his father and brother, he recalled when they’d do carving, making wooden aeroplanes, ships, coconut (pointer) brooms and the like.
At that point, he suddenly broke down and sobbed: “But I didn’t get to see my father. I want my brother, I want my brother.”
Based on conversations with Gowmattie (Roberto’s mother), there are indications that, deep within, the child is still hurting; he perceives that his father and siblings have been suddenly and rudely snatched away from him and that to date there is no explanation. For him, there has been no closure to a harrowing and horrendous episode, and these are haunting memories as far as he is concerned. Clearly, what is desperately needed is what was promised – counselling for the families of the diseased.
Meanwhile, Roberto now has a new found brother – his best friend at school, Madhave Tiwarie and they share good times together. He also finds solace in the company of the children in his mother’s Sunday School class she holds at home.
For the last several years, and even before the untimely disaster, Gowmattie, who is a member of the Lusignan Assembly of God Church has been holding Sunday School classes in her home and continues to win souls for the Lord. She is also on the Women’s Prayer Team and the Good News Bible Club.
Asked how she has been coping with the loss, Gowmattie modestly replied: “I remember, but try to put it away, but can’t erase the memory altogether.” She recalled the days when, torn with grief she could not even eat, and so became dehydrated and had to be rushed to.
Still affirming her faith in God and reiterating her thanks and gratitude for keeping her and her sons through the years, she affirmed: “It’s only God is keeping me. I talk to Him as a person, saying ‘God, I look to you for guidance, for all of my needs and you can’t let me down.’ I stand strong in Him and He has never let me down.”
As an income generating project, she’s into the business of poultry rearing and also has a part-time job.
On the morning of the Lusignan massacre, five homes were taken by storm, as marauding gunmen, while residents were yet asleep, kicked down doors and opened fire on the hapless residents, many of whom were children. Some were shot in their beds, one man was at his altar praying, while others still, took refuge under beds, but were dragged out and shot in cold blood.
Those slain in the massacre were: Clarence Thomas, 49, a diver; his 12-year-old daughter, Vanessa Thomas and 11-year-old son, Ron Thomas, while two others from that household were wounded: Another son, Howard and the youngest sibling, Roberto 5, both with serious life-threatening injuries. They both remained in the Georgetown Public Hospital for three months. Roberto spent most of his time in the intensive Care Unit while Howard was warded at the High Dependency Unit.
Next door to the Thomas’ family, killed were: Mohandai Gourdai, 32 and her two sons – Seegopaul Harilall 10, and Seegobind Harilall 4. The lone survivor was 11-year-old Arjune Bhim who was spending the night with his aunt.
From the Mohammed’s home across the street, 22-year-old Shazam Mohamed was gunned down as he sought shelter in his kitchen. Nazir, the patriarch of the family was shot in both legs and remained warded at the GPHC for several weeks.
Neighbours, Seecharraan Rooplal, 56; his wife Dhanrajie Ramsingh 52 and daughter Raywattie Ramsingh 11, were all shot dead.
Meanwhile, another neighbour, Shaleem Baksh, 55, was shot in the head and killed.
After several days of mourning, dead were buried following mass funerals at the Lusignan car tarmac, attended by thousands. In the ensuing years, there have been calls for healing. At a commemorative ceremony staged by the Indian Arrival Committee on the last Saturday of January 2010, Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali told the gathering: “All Guyana is standing hand in hand in strengthening a circle of solidarity with those who lost loved ones to such tragic circumstances, including members of Guyana’s security forces, who have, themselves, been under siege by the terrorists in the land.”
“He stressed that the process of healing is important, but healing, adding that “We are One People; One Nation, with One Destiny. This is what reinforces the strength and spirit of the Guyanese people,” he said, but noted that as Guyanese, we sometimes take the essence of our motto very lightly.
Written By Shirley Thomas