The University of Guyana extends heartfelt condolences, support to grieving family, community, nation

Dear Editor,
In terms of interpersonal violence against the most vulnerable in our country, this has been a “horribilis mensis” (horrible month). The administration, faculty, students, and alumni of the University of Guyana have observed, with profound sadness and deepening regret and concern, the escalating acts of interpersonal violence leading to death; in particular against women, girls, and young boys in the last few weeks.
While all deaths are terrible, and rob families and the nation of loved ones and their presence and potential contributions, the deaths of children are unthinkable and heart-wrenching. This is even more so given the circumstances unfolding in the recent heartbreaking case of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge.
The University notes that the conscience of the nation is alive and well through the actions of public-spirited citizens, some of whom are UG alumni, students, and staff working quietly on the ground along with other organisations to facilitate respectful grieving support, trauma counselling, legal and policy guidance, among other interventions within the context of the University’s training and community outreach portfolio.
The University stands ready to render any additional support needed within its resources and abilities, including providing counselling and medical services to its own staff and students who have been directly impacted.
The University of Guyana also acknowledges the implementation of the new SOPs for “Missing Persons,” which we think of as the “Adrianna Alert” system, instituted by the leadership of the GPF over the last 24 hours as an important initial response with expected positive impact.
The UG Community is committed to continuing active engagement with the GPF, as far as possible, in helping to address some of the alleged highly questionable operational breaches and behaviours among some of its ranks in the particular case of Adrianna Younge. We will be publishing hotline numbers for “UG Cares”, aimed at augmenting those already in place to support those suffering flashbacks and other disturbances which this incident may be triggering.
While we mourn with, and although we wish to, we cannot take away the loss and grief of these families, but we can work together with all others to ensure that these things do not ever happen again. Let the tears of us all not fall in vain, but fall to nurture the seeds of honesty, fairness, justice, caring, hope, reciprocal respect, and love in our country. “And a little child shall lead them…” Prayers, healing thoughts, and condolences of the highest order are offered.

Sincerely,
UG
(Ms Shevon Nedd
Assistant Public
Relations Officer
Department of
Events, Conferences,
and Communication
(DECC)
Office of the Vice-
Chancellor
University of Guyana
Turkeyen Campus)