I cried when I watched the BBC report recently on the devastation caused by the 8.0 quake that hit China and the anguish of the families who lost their loved ones. It was really heart rending to observe that and the destruction caused by the cyclone that swept through Mayanmar which officials believe resulted in 100,000 people dying. It was indeed gruesome to see thousands of bodies strewn all over the place! My God!

As I looked at those horrid scenes and I reflect on my own situation I feel so relieved that I live in this part of the continent. My heart goes out to those suffering people.

We are not plagued by the hurricanes, storms and other natural phenomena that damage countries, and affect people’s livelihoods, not to mention the resultant causalities. So I therefore take this opportunity to urge Guyanese to appreciate what we have and make the most of it. We have a beautiful country, rich with natural resources, filled with hospitable hardworking people who want to live in harmony but are pulled by certain politicians whose intent is to divide.

If we were faced with such catastrophes as Myanmar and China then what would have happened to our people? Even in such situations we see politics at work.

So I urge my fellow countrymen and women, be appreciative of what we have here and let’s all try to make our country a better place to live.
KAMINI SEWSANKAR