Dear Editor,
In SN of February 21, I read with great sadness about a robbery on Sunil and Tina Ramesh across from GT&T on Church Street. The article stated that Mr Ramesh was shot twice – in the stomach and abdomen. What I found sad about this article is that when Mrs. Ramesh saw her husband was wounded she screamed out for help but no one came to their aid; shortly thereafter two women came to help but neither could drive so her twice shot husband had to drive himself to the hospital.
What is happening to our beloved country? Aren’t we our brother’s keepers any more?
Several years ago I went to a bank near Fogarty’s to withdraw some money. I noticed a security guard kept looking in my direction, I felt uneasy. I left the bank and drove to a store near GT&T and threw part of the money (in a purse) in the trunk and went into the store. When I came out, two men came up and told me some men had picked the lock of my trunk and had taken out my purse and driven off. I asked why they didn’t raise an alarm; they said they were frightened because the men looked armed.
Three years ago I bought a 12-year-old car to use as an animal rescue vehicle; small enough to get around quickly in our busy city. I never thought I would use it as an ambulance for the elderly but within the past four years I have picked up several seniors in need of help.
Last month I was approaching the corner of Camp and Brickdam when I saw a man face down at the side of the road with many persons standing around throwing water at him, he appeared to be having a seizure.
I asked if they needed help, they said yes. I off-loaded my dog carrier (leaving it with a vendor) and some public spirited citizens assisted in putting the man into my vehicle. I quickly made my way to the public hospital where staff quickly and efficiently assisted him to emergency. I explained to the doctor what I knew and she thanked me for being a good citizen. I told her I just thought I was doing my duty as a Guyanese.
I’m a firm believer that the more of us that get involved the sooner we can improve the situation around us.
It doesn’t take much of an effort: We can speak out against animal cruelty; speak up when we see kids pelting bricks and rocks at people of unsound mind or birds and animals; or just stop to ask if a homeless person needs help when they are sitting all alone at the side of the road.
Like someone said: if we are not part of the solution we are probably part of the problem.
Yours faithfully,
Syeada Manbodh
