“I feel grateful that I made it out. My brother and I are safe.” Those were the words uttered by Ruth Mendonca, one of the survivors of the MV Barima tragedy.
Mendonca and her brother escaped death when the MV Barima sank on July 18, taking more than 70 lives.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) in Port Kaituma on Tuesday, Mendonca related that after the incident, she travelled home on Sunday.
Several school supplies that she purchased for her siblings were misplaced during the ordeal.
She is, however, thankful that the government has promised to return the items and provide support in other areas.
“Yesterday and today, Ministry of Human Services’ social workers reached out to us in person, and yesterday we also received a hamper from the same person,” she added.
Asif Khan, another survivor, said even though this is not the first time he was involved in a boat accident, he is still thankful for life.
All he could recall was being rescued by fishermen and transported to Port Kaituma.
“As soon as we were rescued, the afternoon they found the plane and everything for us to come up. We didn’t really stay there long,” Khan said.
The sinking of the MV Barima and the loss of lives is one of the worst tragedies in Guyana, and the government continues to play its part in providing help and support to all those affected.