Fire-victim 'family of seven' rebuilding with public's help
by Michel Outridge
Guyana Chronicle
November 21, 2003
The Bissessar family will be moving into their new house in about two weeks.
The family is rebuilding with the help of five carpenters being paid by Gafoors Limited less than a month after fire destroyed the Bissessars' house and burnt a child to death.
The carpenters were working assiduously yesterday to complete the three-bedroom wooden structure on time.
According to Sankumar Bissessar, 39, of South Le Ressouvenir Pasture, East Coast Demerara, losing his 13-year-old daughter, Geeta, and the destruction of their house were a most difficult experience for him. His wife died suddenly three years ago after a prolonged heart aliment.
"She was sick from a heart condition. She went to sleep after we chatted that night and she never woke up; she died in her sleep. When I tried to wake her up the morning she was dead," said the man.
The gardener and his six children are currently dwelling in a makeshift tent, which was built after their house was razed by fire on October 29.
At home alone was Geeta, who was chained to the bed as usual while her siblings were at school and her father at work.
She was often chained to the bed to prevent her from roaming the village. On many occasions she would wander off and be sexually assaulted by youths from the village who took advantage of the teen's mental condition.
Geeta was said to be mentally challenged; her remains were buried on November 1.
The man told the Guyana Chronicle that he received overwhelming support from villagers and other kind-hearted citizens after the publication of the story in the newspapers.
Bissessar said that his house was 157 years' old; he had been living at the location for some 24 years.
He related that on many occasions people tried to take his children and his house but he always managed to support them and send them to school. After their mother died, he was tasked with being mother and father to his children.
Several lumber dealers also donated wood to the family and the Guyana Relief Council pitched in with a new double bunk bed, clothing and kitchen utensils.
Yesterday, when the Guyana Chronicle visited, the children displayed several items that were donated to them. They seemed happy but they are constantly reminded of their sister who perished in the fire.
Bissessar yesterday disclosed that he would be even happier if the Ministry of Housing & Water could allot the plot of land to him that he is dwelling on to fend off any further attacks by people to get him off the land.