IN the quiet of dawn on November 3, the lives of more than 30 residents were torn apart when a violent storm swept through Lima Housing Scheme, flattening homes, uprooting lives, and leaving behind a trail of heartbreak.

What began as a sudden gust of wind around 07:50 hours quickly turned into a terrifying ordeal, sheets of zinc spun through the air, walls gave way, and families clung to one another as their houses disintegrated in minutes. When the storm finally passed, tears and disbelief filled the air.
Now, days later, families are still standing among the wreckage, pieces of splintered board, broken furniture, and soaked clothing, the remnants of lives once secure. They are not only rebuilding from rubble but from despair, pleading with the government for one simple thing: a home.
“I lost everything, my roof, my walls, my peace of mind,” said Khampattie Sukhnandan, her voice trembling as she looked at what was left of her wooden house. “Most of the wood was already rotten. We tried to rebuild before, but my husband fell ill and I have a disabled child. It’s really hard. I’m begging President Ali, please — give us a new house so we can live again.”
Sukhnandan is one of the hardest hit among the victims. Her family of ten now sleep in hammocks under makeshift coverings. “We have no electricity, and the yard is dark,” she said quietly. “The children are scared. We just want a safe place to rest our heads.”
Nearby, Deodat Samdatt and his family of six are also struggling to come to terms with their losses. His wife, Haimwattie, suffered a head injury when a beam crashed down during the storm. “We were told the roof will be fixed, but the walls are weak,” Samdatt explained. “I’m afraid the same thing could happen again. We were building little by little, but everything is gone. I’m not rich — I just want a safe home for my family.”
For Abdool Hafeez Haleel, whose house completely collapsed, the storm was the final blow after years of hardship. “My house was already deteriorated. Now there’s nothing left,” he said. “I really hope the President could hear us — we need houses, not just repairs.”
In the immediate aftermath, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two mobilised a relief effort, providing daily meals and temporary support to the displaced families. Regional Chairman, Devin Mohan, has been at the forefront, co-ordinating with multiple agencies — the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Fire Service, Civil Defence Commission (CDC), and the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative — to deliver aid and restore order.

“As soon as we received the report, we mobilised immediately,” Chairman Mohan said. “Our priority was to make sure everyone was safe and had food and shelter. We’re working daily to bring comfort and stability to the affected families.”
Under his direction, GDF personnel skilled in carpentry and masonry have joined community volunteers to clear debris and begin preliminary rebuilding efforts. The GPF continues to patrol the area to protect residents’ belongings, while the RDC maintains meal distribution for those still displaced.
Chairman Mohan said the region remains committed to helping families get back on their feet. “We are standing with these families until their lives are restored. Our goal is to rebuild stronger and ensure no family is left behind,” he affirmed.
But for many, the hope goes beyond repair, it’s a plea for renewal. “We don’t just want a roof repaired,” Sukhnandan said softly. “We want a home again, a place where our children can sleep without fear.”
In Lima Housing Scheme, amid the splinters and silence, the voices of those who have lost everything now echo with one shared message, a cry not just for relief, but for the chance to begin again.
“Please help us rebuild our lives,” Sukhnandan whispered, her eyes filling with tears as the wind rustled through what remains of her house.