Even as we celebrate Emancipation 2017, members of the African community have taken note of the fire which destroyed the property of WPA Activist, Jacqueline Dow at Lot 2 Charlotte, Lacytown on July19 and wish to sympathize with Mrs. Dow who lived on the two upper flats of the building, and owners of businesses on the premises who suffered heavy losses in the conflagration.

Among businesses losses were: Aretha’s Fashion owned and operated by our sister Ms. Anetha Daniels, which for years displayed and sold exclusively African attire of the most exquisite designs. Pathetically, fire struck just a few days before the boutique would have celebrated its tenth anniversary, for which a celebration was planned.
And in order to make a big impact on Emancipation 2017, proprietor, Mrs. Anetha Daniels had travelled to the United States where she invested heavily in the purchase of stocks of African attire for this year’s national celebration and had only, the day before displayed the dresses, headwear and other clothing. What the firemen managed to save from the blaze were however heavily doused with water from the hoses.
Others suffering losses severe losses were: Trans Caribbean Cargo International, owned and operated by Captain Laurie, a former pilot of the Guyana Defence Force; a Beauty Parlour owned by Kimberly Niles and to a lesser extent a lumber yard.
The African community would like to record their sincere condolences and to lift them up in prayer, as together we lift our spirits and look to a new day, united and strong …. Having cause to sing one day, Maya Angelou’s “Yet still I rise.”