IT’S been a little more than a week since the horrific fire destroyed the girls’ dormitory in Madhia Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), claiming the lives of 19 schoolgirls and a five-year-old boy while injuring several others and leaving life-long scars on the victims’ families and friends, the Madhia community, and the nation.

The outpouring of international and regional support from Heads of States and dignitaries flooded the country, but the Guyanese people from all walks of life in the local and international diasporas came together and lent their support directly and indirectly to the Government of Guyana, the families, and each other.

People of all walks of life and age groups are still trying to come to terms with the tragedy of the catastrophic fire that broke out at the dormitory on May 21, 2023, while leaving many others severely burnt and mentally disoriented.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Paul Ignatius, a self-defence instructor and an A/C technician, explained the aforementioned day will forever be remembered as one of the most “tragic” national tragedies that Guyana and its people have ever encountered.

Paul said, “I am not only a citizen who is feeling the pain, but I am also a father of three girls, and I cannot imagine what being in that situation is like. It seems as though it is a nightmare for us as a people; I cannot imagine it. As a father, this situation made me think about myself and the length of time that I spend with my children.”

He continued: “I know that most of us get very busy with work. I understand we are trying to put food on the table, but we also need to find the extra time and be there for our children. Talk with them, tell them what is right from wrong, listen to them, and tell them how much they are loved.”
Paul also said that he is hopeful that this tragic event will bring some positives to all of “us.”

He added, “We as adults need to play a role in ensuring that our society gets back to being what it used to be, and that is ‘you are your brothers and sisters’ keepers.’ We need to open our eyes and look out for each other and each other’s children. I heard President Ali talking about being careful about what we post on social media, and I agree with him 100 percent. Some of us really need to be careful about what we are posting; we need to be respectful of these families and what they are facing; give them the time and privacy to grieve. It is not everything that you think of you have to post, you don’t know who your words are hurting, and we need to be mindful of that.”

He added: “I will also like to ask the public to let the police do their jobs before we spread rumours of what happened. We weren’t there, and we don’t know what happened, so we need to be more responsible about what comes out of our mouths.”

Another citizen, Kayomie Zammet, a credit clerk from the Citizen’s Bank on Camp Street, explained that she is distraught as all other Guyanese are about what happened at Madhia. Ms Zammet said “Like every Guyanese, I am shaken up; this has really made me look at life differently. Looking at these parents and families, I don’t know how they are doing it. I am not a parent, but I have my nieces and nephews, and I cannot deal with them getting hurt in any way, much less being in this situation. When it comes to my fellow Guyanese citizens, I know we are all feeling hurt by this, and we are all entitled to our own opinions, but like the President said, this is a sensitive issue, and we must think before we post our thoughts on social media. Let us remember these children and families in the most respectful and loving way possible. Looking at the funerals, I asked God why? But I know that we as a nation will get through this and I know that this has brought us even closer as a people.”

She continued: “On behalf of myself and the entire staff of Citizen’s Bank, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the families and the community of Madhia in this time of grief. We would also like to wish a speedy recovery to the persons that[ sic]were injured, and we want you all to know that we have you in our thoughts and prayers.”

Finally, the Guyana Chronicle spoke with an aspiring environmentalist, Jennel Henry, who expressed similar sentiments as the others. An emotional Jennel said, “It is heartbreaking for me to think or even talk about this. Coming from the indigenous community of Capoey Lake in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and having an indigenous background, I know the sacrifices that parents make to send their kids to get a better education, with the hope that they will have a better future. It is sad to know that their lives were taken away while they were trying to build that future for themselves and their families. One of them could have later become a minister or even the president of Guyana, but now we will never know.”

Ms Henry underscored: “I am presently in Georgetown to get a better future, but looking at the photos of those girls and their age range, I thought of my sister. She is of the same age, and I wonder if it was her; it brings so much sadness to me just to think of it. As a young person, I am happy to see that President Ali is doing so much for families and his presence and the other government officials presence says a lot. The elections are coming up, and he could have been busy with that, but instead, he has made this his priority right now and that of his ministers as well. It says a lot about who they are as people.”

To the families of the victims, Henry said, “I want you, the community of Madhia and the other communities to know that all of Guyana is praying with and for you. You are not alone in this. Be strong and trust that you will see your loved ones again.”
Finally, Ms Henry noted that schools and buildings be “better equipped with additional fire extinguishers and whatever necessary safety tools are needed so that we would not have to be faced with any such tragedy again.”

Also offering his perspective was Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken. He said, “Like the President, we are all saddened by this situation, but the police are integrally involved in the partnership effort through the strategic pillar that deals specifically with youth groups, youth clubs, and scout groups. While it is impactful for the organisation of the Guyana Police Force, we as a force that is part of nation-building are mourning, but at the same time, we are bringing comfort to the people through our actions so that they can know that we are supporting them and their families in every way that we can. With all the speculations and opinions that are out in the public about the cause of the fire, what should and shouldn’t have happened.”
Commissioner Hicken said “whenever we are dealing with investigations in general, we do not speculate, nor do we use social media comments, that will only create an argument and a discussion outside of what would have happened.”

Commissioner Hicken took the opportunity to send a personal message to the Guyanese people: “Prayers, comradery,[sic] comfort, and support for each other are more necessary than ever at this time.”

A 15-year-old school girl was recently remanded into the custody of the Juvenile Holding Centre for allegedly setting fire to the female dormitory at Mahdia Secondary School, which left 19 children dead.
The teen appeared via Zoom before Magistrate Sunil Scare at Diamond Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the capital offence.

It is alleged that during the course of arson committed on May 21, she murdered Tracil Thomas, Lisa Roberts, Delecia Edwards, Lorita Williams, Natalie Bellarmine, Arriana Edwards, Cleoma Simon, Subrina John, Martha Dandrade, Loreen Evans, Belnisa Evans, Mary Dandrade, Omerfia Edwin, Nickleen Robinson, Sherena Daniels, Eulander Carter, Andrea Roberts, Bibi Jeffrey and Adanye Jerome.
The is being held at a Sophia juvenile facility, and the matter was adjourned until July 4, 2023.