The father of three-year-old Rania Rogers, who sustained third degree burns to her face and hand more than two years ago is desperately trying to raise funds for her to undergo the recommended corrective surgeries and the government has since offered to assist.
“It has been over two years already since my child has been suffering with pain every day and I am determine for her to get out of this,” an emotional Rol Rogers told Stabroek News yesterday.
Rania, who resides at Lot 50 Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara with her father sustained burns to the right side of her face and right hand after a kerosene stove fell on her while she was in the care of her mother, Shawnette Rogers, at Little Diamond, EBD. At the time, she was just 16 months old.
Rogers explained to this newspaper that he working on a building at Sheriff Street, Georgetown, where he was installing an air conditioner when he received a call from Shawnette, who related the tragic incident to him.
“All she told me was that she had the pot on and she step outside a little leaving Rania sleeping in the room when she heard a loud explosion,” Rogers said. He explained that based on what was related to him, the child woke up and was attempting to climb on a chair when the pot exploded and fell on her.
The child was rushed to the Diamond Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH). Since the incident, Rania has undergone two surgeries and the surgeon has recommended that she undergo further corrective surgeries in Canada.
These surgeries will cost approximately $7 million. The Government of Guyana has agreed to cover 75% of the total cost. Thus, Rogers is tasked with providing the remaining.
The St George’s Old School Association yesterday in an effort to assist Rogers, held a fundraising lunch and lime at D’Urban Street, Georgetown with an aim of raising $500,000.
Rania is in need of special care and requires to have the burns she sustained dressed daily. Her parents have separated and she is currently being taken care of by her father who is unemployed.
Anyone desirous of donating funds to Rogers can contact him on telephone number 675-0076.
