Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI), in partnership with its parent company, Muneshwers Limited, on Wednesday, June 11, journeyed to the villages of Karisparu, Chenapau, and Mahdia in the Potaro- Siparuni (Region Eight) to personally meet with the families of the 20 students who tragically lost their lives in the Mahdia Secondary School Dormitory fire in May 2023.
As part of the initiative, the companies distributed financial support along with specially prepared care hampers to 18 affected families. The outreach was deeply emotional, not only for the families, but also for the seven-member GYSBI team who undertook the journey to deliver words of comfort and solidarity on behalf of the company.
Chairman of the GYSBI Board of Directors, Mr. Robin Muneshwer, who spearheaded the initiative, in an invited comment said that while nothing can replace the precious lives lost, the gesture was intended to offer some solace and reaffirm that the families are not alone in their grief.
“There is no price that can ever be placed on the life of a loved one, especially a child. What we have brought is not meant to compensate, but to show that there are still those who care. This horrible tragedy evoked the rawest, most human responses in us all such as compassion, and a desire to reach out. Our gesture today is simply a reflection of those emotions,” Mr. Muneshwer said.
He added that as a member of the Guyanese business community, GYSBI felt a moral responsibility to stand with the affected families and offer support that many believed was long overdue.
At each stop, members of the visiting team offered quiet prayers, shared words of comfort, and personally presented the donations. GYSBI’s Public Relations Manager, Ms. Gomatie Gangadin, reflecting on the emotional weight of the visit said, “Nothing can prepare you for the silence of a grieving parent. We didn’t come with solutions, because really there are none, but with open hearts and quiet presence, simply to say, you are not alone.”
The 20 victims of the fire were Subrina John, Belnisa Evans, Loreen Evans, Bibi Rita Jeffrey, Lisa Roberts, Tracil Thomas, Delecia Edwards, Lorita Williams, Natalie Bellarmine, Arianna Edwards, Cleoma Simon, Martha Dandrade, Mary Dandrade, Omerfia Edwin, Nickleen Robinson, Sherlyn Bellarmine, Eulander Carter, Andrea Roberts, Sherana Daniels with the youngest being five year old Adanye Jerome.
This gesture reflects the companies’ commitment to nurturing a culture of compassion and social responsibility throughout Guyana while it continues to grow and cements its place within the oil and gas industry.
