MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony was among several other senior members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) leadership who were present last Sunday at the Lusignan Community Centre on the East Coast of Demerara to celebrate with the Old Folks and Children in the Lusignan Community.

The PPP members organized a delicious lunch and provided the folks with a joyous and entertaining occasion at the Community Centre. The Old Folks also received a hamper each for their Christmas Holidays.

AT LUSIGNAN: Senior PPP members Dr. Frank Anthony and Mr. Neil Kumar with some recipients of gifts/hampers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony who is an Executive Member of PPP, presented special gifts to the families of the Lusignan Massacre.

Relatives of Shazam Mohamed, Clarence Thomas, Mohandai Gouradat, Shalem Baksh and Rooplall Seecharran were recipients from Minister Anthony.

On Monday, the PPP followed with an impressive children party for the youths in Lusignan.

The PPP group in Lusignan also committed themselves to stand by the Lusignan Community and particularly the relatives of the victims of the Lusignan Massacre.

While those present enjoyed themselves, there were deep regrets and sympathy for those who were massacred.

Among the dead were Shazam Mohamed; Clarence Thomas, his son, Ron 11, and daughter, Vanessa 12; Mohandai Gourdat, 32, and her two children Seegobin, four years old, and Seegopaul Harilall, 10; Shalem Baksh, 52, Rooplall Seecharan, 56, his daughter Raywattie Ramsingh, 11 and his wife Dhanrajie, called ‘Sister’, 52.

The injured were Howard Thomas 19, Nadir Mohamed, 48, and Roberto Thomas, five years old.

It was noted that survivors Howard and Ron Thomas have to endure the scars they sustained every time they look in the mirror.

Most of the dead victims were shot in their stomachs, and were left lying in pools of blood which covered most of the floors of their modest homes.

Some of the survivors still have the scars that are stark reminders of the brutality and terror they endured.

While the village has returned to some level of normalcy, the memories of that fateful day in 2008 will never go away.

Families and Friends of the victims expressed their sincere appreciation and there is a unifying feeling of oneness as every villager feels the loss in many ways.

General Secretary of the PPP Mr. Donald Ramotar praised the organizers, particularly Bibi S. Zaman and her group of women.