The five children of Parika Backdam fire victim, Glarey Bowling are back at school after many difficulties in the months following the family tragedy.
On Monday fifteen-year-old Onissa and thirteen-year-old Jason began classes at a city secondary school while eleven-year-old Ryan, nine-year-old Princess and six-year-old Haden are students of a primary school in the city.
The woman’s eldest child Onika recently told Stabroek News that her siblings were enrolled in schools with the help of the PNCR’s Human Services Department.
She said that the political party provided the children with school uniforms and other essential school items. According to Onika, all her siblings are happy to return to school.
In the wee hours of May 9, Bowling, her seven children and her mother, were asleep in their almost-completed house at One Mile Parika Backdam, when a man close to the family threw an incendiary device into the house.
Bowling who received burns to 90% of her body and several of her children managed to escape but 17-month-old Anida; three-year-old Devika and their 66-year-old grandmother Victoria Benjamin were burnt to death.
Since an article addressing Glarey’s plight was published, many persons have come forward and expressed a willingness to help.
So far wheelchairs have been donated by Gafoors and the PNCR. The PNCR Human Resources Department also donated some foodstuff to the family.
