PM Phillips’s comforting words eased the pain of families of Mahdia fire victims

Dear Editor,
Most Guyanese, both at home and in the diaspora, would agree that the former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), Brigadier Mark Phillips, is an excellent choice for the position of Prime Minister and Vice President. One reason is that he cares about the welfare of the people, especially the poor and downtrodden, and has always striven to solve their problems.
A second reason is that he is a keen listener and a very good communicator, who would go to great lengths to compromise and to make sure that everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity or party affiliation, is treated fairly and equally, and that no one is above the law.
Third, Brigadier Mark Phillips is honest, polite, courteous and considerate, and is a first-rate administrator and policymaker who continues to push for the development of the country, so that the life of everyone is improved. A strong supporter of the “One Guyana” vision, the former army chief is a steadfast believer in the unification and development of Guyana, so that the living standards could rise, and the lives of all, especially the poor, could be improved.
A month ago, the country was in deep mourning after it became known that a fire, allegedly set by a student in the girls’ dormitory of the Mahdia Secondary School, had claimed the lives of some 20 children, leaving seven critically injured and numerous others hospitalised and traumatised. With very short notice, and with bits and pieces of information, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips led a team of Ministers to Mahdia in the wee hours of the morning, to obtain firsthand information on the causes of the terrible disaster. During their immeasurable sorrow and shattered dreams, Brigadier Phillips offered solace, compassion, and unwavering support to the families of the deceased children.
It would have been very difficult, if not impossible and perhaps heartbreaking, for most of us to visit such a tragic site, but the Prime Minister met, sympathised with, and comforted the families affected and distressed following the fire at the dormitory. He had the skills and wherewithal to help lessen the pain felt by the families, and restore whatever hope they had lost and confidence that was missing. He reminded the families that the Government would do everything in its power to make sure corrective measures are implemented to prevent any future tragedy, and that counsellors would assist the families with coping.
His trip to Mahdia exhibited the kind of bravery known mostly among military personnel. It was the first time in the history of the country that 20 children perished in a fire, and Prime Minister Phillips’s quick response validated and perhaps endorsed the phrase “Fortune favours the brave”, which is a Latin proverb written in 161 BC by the Roman Playwright Publius Terentius After, known as ‘Terence’ for short.
The term which has been applied historically by people in the military can be referenced to Brigadier Phillips for his bravery in meeting with the suffering parents and relatives of the deceased children in their anguish. Their pain was deep, their hurt was unbearable, and their sorrow was profoundly felt throughout the Amerindian community and the entire country.
Even though, as an experienced military personnel, the Prime Minister may have witnessed many tragedies, nothing could have prepared him for this painful experience, which would forever be etched in his mind.
Since becoming Prime Minister three years ago, Brigadier Mark Phillips has engaged people throughout the country, in times of natural disasters such as floods and other man-made and natural misfortunes, but this was a completely different encounter for him, and he has handled it extremely well.
The Prime Minister should be complimented for his bravery and comforting words of healing to the families of the deceased children. Most of us would agree that Brigadier Phillips is an extraordinary leader with the ability to deal with such ghastly occurrences.

Sincerely,
Dr Asquith Rose