THE outpouring of love and financial support to the family of 13-year-old Chatram Ramphal has landed him back in high school and on the path to a better life.

After losing his father seven years ago in one of the most horrific road accidents to occur in Berbice where 12 persons were killed, life has been a constant struggle for the family.
Chatram has been in and out of school and his focus was to help his mother to put food on the table, so he would go fishing with his siblings to make ends meet.
After learning about his plight and his desire to attain education, hundreds of persons came together and are now making this boy’s dream come through.

He has been attending school regularly for the past several weeks and spends most of his afternoons attending extra lessons as he works to get back on track with his studies.
“I’m glad I can go back to school. I want to thank everyone who helped me to go back to school and I wish I can go to school every year until I finish and show them what I can do,” the boy said. “To all the people who help me, God will bless them and give them more and I will try my best to get back an education.”

His mother, Bibi Sookram, was by his side and saw him off to school. She is grateful for the kindness of strangers who have helped them in the past and those helping now.
“I’m so glad for the help and everyone who [helped] God will bless them and they will have more. I’m so happy for my son,” the mother said.

She has committed to ensuring he goes to school regularly and will be taking extra lessons to get him back on track. While she is thankful for the financial support the mother of five who is working with a neighbour selling fish will be investing some of the money she is given to establish her own business and sustain her family.

“You have to show everybody that you can do this and take your education because we are poor and you have to help us out…he will go to school on time and I will do my best to ensure this because we now have help so I have to do that,” she said.

Chatram’s sister Kumarie is delighted that her youngest brother is being positioned to attain an education and break the cycle of poverty that has been plaguing their family.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RK’s , Roshan Khan, who also runs the RK Human Love Foundation drove to Berbice and donated a bicycle to the lad, while others donated a computer, iPad, clothing, footwear, groceries and other needed items.

Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) started a GoFundMe page with the permission of the family and has used some of the funds raised to make their living environment more conducive and to support Chatram throughout high school. The organisation will start a Trust Fund to support him throughout school and has also committed to monitoring his progress at school.

Even though they have received help their focus remains on justice for Chetram, Snr, who died at the No. 19 Road on October 29, 2010, with 11 other persons.