Missing sugar workers…
MAIKHRAM Sawh called Bharrat, 46, of Section ‘B’ Non Pariel and Sampersaud Taranauth nicknamed ‘Shammie’, 37, of Fernandes Street, Enterprise, who left their respective homes to go to work four years ago, today, never returned.

Sampersaud Taranauth

The two sugar workers, who were the sole breadwinners for their families, mysteriously disappeared on May 21, 2005 while cleaning a Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) drainage canal aback the then violence-prone East Coast Demerara village of Vigilance.

It has been exactly four dark, desolate, distressing years since the two men mysteriously disappeared in the volatile and dangerous East Coast backlands and up to now, the families still marvel at the occurrence.

“What if they did not leave home that fateful day? At least, they would have been with us today,” Sawh’s daughter, Monica remarked on Tuesday.

She said the atmosphere at home is sad because her mother, Jaswanttie Sawh, will be celebrating her 50th birthday next week and she had promised her husband, before he departed the house that they would mark the occasion with a religious ceremony.

Maikhram Sawh

The sorrowing wife broke into tears as she spoke of her husband, whom she believes is no more.

The woman, who has not overcome the loss of her husband, said no day goes by without her remembering him and wondering whether he is dead or alive.

His sudden disappearance has left memories much too painful to recall, she said.

Sawh’s daughter told the Guyana Chronicle her father’s absence leaves a lot of unanswered questions and a deep void and hopes of his returning dwindled over the four years.

She is closer to the realisation that her father is dead.

“If we had seen his body and buried it, then we would have accepted the fact that he is gone for good. But, to date, we don’t know the truth,” she lamented.

‘HOPE vs. ANSWERS’: This file photo shows Jaswantie Sawh (at right) with her daughter-in-law, Nanda, and grandchildren, Anesha and Amesha Sawh, displaying a photograph of their missing loved one, Maikhram Sawh, at the family’s home at Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara.

She said, of more concern, is that it seems all is lost as the authorities have gone completely quiet and no one seems to care.

“But we will never forget daddy and the pain remains, one that is constant and overbearing.”

Meanwhile, Taranauth’s wife, Kamini said today is a day of reflection and her three daughters keep her going through the motions of everyday life.

The trio, Samantha, 5, Lisa, 7 and Sarah, 10, still ask for their father, especially the youngest one, whom he had promised to hold her hand on her first day at school.

She has numerous questions which her mother is unable to answer about the fate of her father.

Kamini noted she is faced with a problem as she has been unable to get any public assistance from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for this year, so far.

However, when this newspaper contacted Minister of Human Services and Social Security Ms. Priya Manickchand and told her about Kamini’s plight, the Minister immediately called the woman and assured her that she will be receiving, today, all public assistances entitled to her for the year so far.

‘MISSING DAD’: The children of missing sugar worker Sampersaud Taranauth – from left, Elizabeth, Divya and Sarah. (Chronicle file photo)

Kamini told the Chronicle she was very appreciative that the Minister personally intervened and called her and she is looking forward to receiving the assistance today.

Kamini also explained that she is looking for a job in Enterprise because she has to collect her children from school every day.

“The years have been lonely, dark and very difficult to cope without my husband but I am trying to move on and be strong for my children who are growing,” she admitted.

Since the men went missing, they have not received any ransom demand or information about their whereabouts, despite searches by the Army and Police. (Michel Outridge)