Dear Editor,
ON Friday, November 21, the country was shocked and we the members of the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC) were shocked and heartbroken at the sudden and untimely death of Jerome Bernard of Brighton Village on the Corentyne and Jodea Seline of Limlair Village, also on the Corentyne.
As we understand it, Jodea Seline and Jerome Bernard lost their lives in a tragic road accident at the No. 63 Public Road on the Corentyne.
Jerome, the driver of the bus along with Jodea and her 13-year-old sister, Jennia Seline, and other schoolmates and teachers were returning from a school sports event when the fatal accident occurred. We mourn their passing and our hearts bleed for the injured as we pray for their full and speedy recovery.
Sixteen-year-old Jodea Seline was a very brilliant, cheerful, academically inclined and athletic-driven student of Central Corentyne Secondary School. And 31-year-old Jerome Bernard was a dedicated, ambitious, motivated and jovial teacher from the same secondary school.
Their untimely deaths have cast deep sorrow across the education fraternity and almost everyone in the country. We share in grief and mourn their loss with their relatives, friends, and the school community. Jerome was a founding member of the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC) and his death has left its members distraught, unconsolable and in deep anguish.
The members of the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC) did not know Jodea Seline personally, but the grief and sorrow we felt at her passing were great. It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the tragic death of the young and beautiful Jodea.
Jerome Bernard, our beloved colleague, was not only a dedicated, honest and steadfast volunteer and member of the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee, but he was also a bright and vibrant colleague within the Macedonia Joppa district.
Known for his charm, warm humour, optimism and sincerity, Jerome had a deep and genuine love and compassion for people and was always willing to offer advice and assistance. His presence in the organisation has lifted us and his kindness, respect and empathy have reminded us of what it means to care.
He was a handsome and creative young man and a wonderful human being who enjoys life. His passing would be deeply felt by the members of MJVC, and it would no doubt leave an immense void.
Both Jerome Bernard and Jodea Seline were exceptionally young and were in the very prime of their lives when so tragically struck down.
Those who would rationalise sorrow and grief in circumstances like these would offer the profound comfort that only the good die young. But that is poor consolation indeed for a country deprived of a talented and exceptional student and a gifted and inspired teacher.
And although it is true that some versed in the field of philosophy put forth the proposition that “to live is to die, and to die is to live,” we lesser mortals feel very keenly the capricious cruelty of death.
We had hoped that they would have lived to see the fulfilment of their lives and what they would have achieved, but it did not happen. So we should dry our eyes and reassure ourselves that they live and it is death that it is dead, not them.
We pray that the families and friends of both Jodea Seline and Jerome Bernard find strength, comfort and peace and hope that their memories shine a bright light during this difficult period.
We extend our deepest sympathy to their families, friends and all who were blessed and fortunate to know them. May their souls rest in eternal peace and may their loved ones be granted courage and healing during this very sad time.

Sincerely,
Dr Asquith Rose,
Chair, MJVC
Ms Vanessa Ross-Albert,
Public Relations Director, MJVC