The Guyana Flood Website

 Report for February 12th 2006. Mahaicony Creek

The skies were overcast as our Mahaicony Mission of Mercy rolled off from the UG road junction at 9.45am, Sunday February 12th 2006. Accompanying me on this trip were members of the local media, from Prime News we had Nazema Raghubir, Roy Babel reported for VCT CH28's Evening news and Mr. Hussain Shaw of Galaxy 21 Communications, the producer of The Breakfast Show hosted by W. R. Reaz on Ch 4.

During the week, I had contacted the Managing Director of Ricks and Sari Agro Industries Mrs. Dianne Rodrigues and she willingly donated a quantity of products manufactured by her company, comprising of 4 cases of Chinese Sauce, 4 cases of Vinegar, 4 cases of Miracle Seasoning and 4 cases of mixed essences, along with 200 packets of Sari Madras Curry Powder and 200 packets of ground Geerah and Massala.

A kind gentleman by the name of Firoz Rahim donated 2-50 lbs bags of potatoes and a kind lady by the name of Sandra Ramoutar came all the way from Albouystown to bring her donation of potatoes to add to our relief effort. Mr. Hussain Shaw of Galaxy 21 Communication made contact with Cell Phone Shack and A.G.H Distributors and they donated 5 cases of canned sweet corn and 4 cases of Mr. Gourdas mixed beans. Mr. Komal Ramnauth of Kojac Marketing Agency assisted us with the mini van that transported the items to the flooded Mahaicony area. The Hernandez family of Sand Road Belair made a donation of five thousand dollars (G$5000.00) to our flood relief effort.

We visited the Mortice Primary School which was being used as a shelter for flood victims and met  the 19 families staying there. The homes of these poor people was and still is flooded out and they told us that at 4 pm, the shelter was going to be closed off. These poor people who have taken lodging at the Mortice Shelter can now be considered homeless after 4pm, their homes are still flooded out, as the photos below will testify. How can you simply close a shelter and put people back into flooded homes? Is this done in any other country in the world? I doubt it very much. This is the kind of cold hearted treatment the poor and voiceless people of this country are forced to endure. First you flood their homes and now you chase them out of the only dry place that they have known for the last 7 weeks. Shame on you Civil Defense Commission for your inconsideration, shame on you.

Picking up items at the Ricks & Sari office on Sheriff St.	Galaxy 21's director, Mr. Hussain Shaw loading flood relief items into the mini bus loaned to us by Kojac Marketing Agency.	The team comprising of members of the local media and Mr. Hussain Shaw getting ready to move off from our pickup point at the UG junction.	This beautiful bird was out for a stroll with her chicks at the UG road junction	We headed straight into Mahaicony and the flood was there waiting for us.
This calf seems totally uncomfortable in the wet cold mud even as more rain pours down.	We showed this tractor a few weeks ago, it was still here pumping water from this rice field.	Wet clingy mud seems to be all over. After more than 7 weeks, this must be sickening to residents.	This is the entrance to the Mortice Primary School which is being used as a shelter for flood victims.	These kids are housed at the Mortice shelter which unfortunately will be closed from today.
Such beautiful kids with no place to go but back to their flooded homes.	Members of the Civil Defense Commission preparing to give out the Sari products that we donated to them.	Flood victims lining up to pick up much needed supplies.	A smile like this makes one happy to have brought some cheer to this flooded community.	We loaded up a boat to head up the Mahaicony creek.
All aboard and ready to go up the Mahaicony creek.	The beautiful black water of the Mahaicony creek.	Here the water has dropped off about 18 inches, just a week ago, the water was all over the bottom flat	A picture perfect setting. This house sands on a bit of higher ground than others around.	Our guide Raj picking up a call even as we headed up creek.
One of the few houses to be on high enough ground to be able to beat the floodwater.	This is the home of a young lady who is presently housed at the Mortice Shelter. she will be forced to return here since they will close the Mortice Shelter today.	This boat shed is normally high enough for one to stand upright in a boat parked under it, now it is almost underwater.	One of the many flooded homes on the Mahaicony creek.	These outhouses are now too flooded to be used.
Nazim and Raj, residents of Mahaicony joined our team and helped to distribute the relief items to their fellow flood victims.	This young girl and her mother came out to meet us to pick up their supplies.	This was the scene all along the Mahaicony creek.	Can you imagine living in this water for over 7 weeks?	This gentleman braved the cold water to meet us to pick up his supplies.
More persons rowing out to meet out relief boat.	A rice harvester and an excavator parked on a piece of higher ground to avoid the floodwater.	This young fella came out to talk to us and pick up his supplies as Mr. Hussain Shaw looks on.	Gone but not forgotten, freshly picked flowers adorn this flooded out grave located next to a home on the Mahaicony creek.	Aunty Baby wetting her skirt as she sadly told us about how miserable the flood is.
More supplies being delivered.	Evening News cameraman on the trip.	On the lighter side of our trip, Roy Babel of the Evening News attempts to file a report.	Nazema Raghubir of Prime News looked at Roy with a smile...	and this is how the report ended.
This building actually serves as home for a Mahaicony family.	This pretty Mahaicony girl collecting relief items from out team.	Even after more than 7 weeks of flooding, this Mahaicony lass still has a smile that could melt the coldest of hearts.	These residents came to this Mora Point location to meet with officials of an overseas aid agency to discuss ways of restarting their lives.	The Mahaicony residents were heading to the meeting at Mora Point.
Residents of Mahaicony at the OXFAM meeting.	Roy Babel talking with a rep of OXFAM, the foreign aid agency attempting to bring some form of relief to farmers affected by the flood.	VCT's Roy Babel and cameraman heading back to our boat.	The Mora Point Health Center.	The chief Medic of the Mora Point health center.
As we were coming out, we saw our friend pull starting her boat's engine.	With a roar she was off.	A senior Mahaicony resident taking a leisurely boat ride.	A young lad keeps  his mom's company  as they came out to meet us.	The Mora Point Police outpost also affected by the flood.
Nazema in deep concentration over green mango with salt and pepper.	This flood just does not appear to be going away as this house shows.	A resident of Mahaicony creek collecting her relief items.	Just too much water for one small silted up creek to handle.	OXFAM The foreign aid group officials heading to another meeting place.
We returned to the Wash Clothes landing at about 4pm.	Nazema and a member of our relief effort enjoying the beautiful taste of Twin Lab's Energy Fuel drink.	Roy Babel of VCT's CH28 Evening News making his final report.	Cows having a go at what is left of one of the many flooded out rice fields.	We stopped by the Mossai's residence where the entire crew was treated to lunch. Thank you once more to the Mossai family.