Dear Editor,
It was with profound sadness that I learnt of the death of my former employer, Mr David de Caires, the man who welcomed me into the world of journalism, just after I graduated from university back in 1993.
I am extremely saddened at the news of Mr de Caires’ death because even though I visited him last year during a brief trip to Guyana, I never got the opportunity to thank him enough for the significant role he played in shaping my life and career. As a young journalist in Guyana, I looked up to Mr de Caires as source of knowledge in the field and someone who was willing and ready to guide us along the way.
As I think about Mr de Caires, many fond memories come to my mind. I remember the days when we had to attend regular meetings in his office in the attic of the Stabroek News building on Robb Street. We were always a tad fearful going into those meetings because we never knew where we might have erred in a story we had covered the day or week before. But we always came out of those meetings more informed and motivated.
Perhaps, one moment that left an indelible mark in my memory, was when, after six years of working at Stabroek, I told Mr de Caires that I was leaving for the US to pursue a Masters Degree. I remember he seemed slightly disappointed, but he was more happy to learn that one of my aims was to further my education. He was full of encouragement and urged me to make the most of the opportunity in the US.
And last year, during my visit with him, he was clearly proud to learn that I am still in the field of journalism and doing something that, without the opportunity he had presented to me, I would not have been able to do.
Farewell, Mr de Caires. You will be dearly missed, not only by the extended family that you built, and not only for offering an opportunity for many young people to grow and become great journalists and individuals, but you’ll be missed by the entire nation, as your contribution to press freedom in Guyana was truly a landmark.
I am so proud and honoured to say that you were part of my life.
May God grant you a resting place.
I join all my colleagues in offering my sincere condolences to Mrs de Caires and the entire family, as well as the staff of Stabroek News.
Yours faithfully,
Alim Hassim
