Please allow me to respond to those among us who have recently aligned themselves with negativity towards our country’s compassion to Venezuela and Jamaica.
Many Guyanese have been voicing their opinions that Guyana should not be in the lineup assisting our neighbours, Venezuela and Jamaica. Their main argument is that we should focus on our own people who are living in poverty and experiencing hardships. While I understand this concern, I cannot help but feel compassion for those who have been devastated by natural disasters and are desperately trying to rebuild their lives.
Before I go on further, I would like to gently remind everyone that Guyana is not immune to natural disasters. If one day our country is brought to its knees by a catastrophe, would we not hope that our neighbours would extend a helping hand to us?
Wouldn’t we look to our neighbours around us for help?
The air in Venezuela is still filled with voices calling out for help. Prior to the earthquakes that struck them, Venezuela was already facing political and economic struggles. Now, adding to their hardship is this crushing natural disaster.
The dead are still among the living in this Venezuelan tragedy. Families are still searching for their loved ones under heavy debris. They are calling their names, hoping for a familiar voice to answer back. They are struggling to find comfort, support, and assistance during an unimaginable time.
Just because they speak another language and carry another passport does not mean that we should turn our backs on them. They are our neighbours, and they need compassion.
The world hardly knows who we are. Our identity as Guyanese can be compared to liquid — holding no true form but taking shape from anything it inhabits. Here is our chance to carve out our personality, to let the world know who we are.
Why not let us be known as The Good Samaritan Country? The country that helps in times of disaster. The country that does not look at your passport before extending a hand. The country that does not stand by and watch while others suffer.
Isn’t this the opportune time for us — for the birth of the Guyanese identity?
Let us show a unified flare of care! Let us show that we can respond with catastrophe compassion. Let us not abandon those who are fumbling to rise again. Should we turn a deaf ear to their cries? How can we look at ourselves in the mirror knowing we did nothing to help them?
Sincerely,
Pushpa Jagnandan
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