Barama assists Laing Avenue fire victims• donates food, offers to help rebuild homes

Barama assists Laing Avenue
fire victims
• donates food, offers to help rebuild
homes
Kaieteur News, 16 October 2007
One of Guyana 's leading logging companies has promised to help rebuild
homes of the Laing Avenue fire victims.

Yesterday, Barama also donated several boxes of urgent food items and
supplies to the Guyana Relief Council (GRC) which is coordinating the
relief efforts and donations by Guyanese and others.

Almost 60 persons in Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt were left homeless
last Wednesday when fire struck destroying several apartments in a
number of range houses.

Yesterday, Chairman of Barama, Girwar Lalaram, in expressing the
company's sadness at the disaster, said it stands ready to donate sawn
lumber and plywood to the re-building of the homes. The official
explained that the GRC will be coordinating the process and as soon as
the needs are identified, this will be conveyed to Barama, which stands
ready to assist.

According to Lalaram, this is not the first time the company has
collaborated with the relief organization, which is headed by Mrs.
Yvonne Hinds, wife of Prime Minister Sam Hinds.

The company had pitched in a few years ago when high storms destroyed
buildings in Linden .

Meanwhile, GRC's Office Administrator Lynette Carter urged for Guyanese
and others to join Barama's efforts in assisting the victims. GRC was
forced to offer shelter to a pregnant mother and her husband and
two-year-old child, who lost everything in the blaze. “We are appealing
for you to make her situation easier.”

GRC disclosed that, so far, quantities of food, clothing and mattresses
have already been handed over to the families who were victims of the
fire. The organization said that it has been involved not only in fire,
but flood and other disasters.

Last week, the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) also
joined with a number of other organizations, including collaborating
with the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) and the Queenstown Jama
Masjid, in donating cash, clothing, stoves, books and stationery
supplies to the cause.

Laing Avenue residents have also received assistance from the People's
National Congress Reform (PNCR), the Alliance For Change (AFC) and a
number of church groups.

• The Anglican Church, First Assemblies and the East and West
Christian Centre were among those who came forward with support.