ELEVEN families who lost their homes as a result of fires were assisted by the Guyana Relief Council (GFC) with the donation of mattresses, stoves, kitchen utensils, clothing and building assistance, among other items.Administrative Officer of the GRC, Lynette Cater, said the GRC will continue to extend a caring hand to anyone in Guyana who finds him/herself in such a traumatic situation.

At the presentation, only three of the 11 beneficiaries were on hand to receive the items. One recipient, Yonika Munroe, was very appreciative of the assistance. She noted that she was out of the region when the fire occurred, and not only did she lose her house, but she lost her business as well.

She told the Guyana Chronicle that she is in the process of starting over, and is confident that she would be back on her feet soon.

Another beneficiary, Sandra John of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha Arcadia, EBD, said she lost everything in a fire but is in the process of rebuilding.

Other recipients included Rondell Holler of Laing Avenue Squatting Area in Georgetown; Tamika Halley and Bethia Persaud of Shell Road, Kitty; Yonika Munroe; Abigail Riddle of Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice; June Ann Bess of Cummings Park, Sophia; Joyce Beaton of Ganpat Street, Rose Hall Town, Berbice; Bhanmatie Dookie of Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara; and Nicola Junor and Omeealli Chester of Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown.

The Guyana Relief Council is a not-for-profit voluntary organisation which aims to bring relief to all people affected by any kind of disaster, regardless of race, colour or creed.