The Guyana flood of January 2005 as reported by Bryan Mackintosh

The weather for Thursday was awful, lots of rainfall periodically. The level of the floodwater has dropped off in the Turkeyen and Cummings Lodge areas but further up the east coast is still totally flooded out. With reports from the local media here in Guyana telling us that the water level has dropped off significantly, we decided to pay a visit to the Ogle/Industry villages to see if indeed they were benefiting from this drop in the floodwater level. Instead of dry land as the local media outlets were reporting, we found villagers fighting for survival after being in the floodwaters for the last two weeks. The water in the back of Industry has picked up an awful smell and I got an instant headache the moment we arrived to share out much needed food supplies that my group consisting of Sheik Yassen and Camille Gonsalves had collected from donors. In all, we had received 200 hampers from Minister Harry Persaud Nokta, 6 cases of packaged noodle soup, compliments of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), 30 gallons of cooking oil compliments of Mr. George Bagwandin and 2 bags of rice along with a bag of potatoes from Industry businessman M.Y Khan popularly known as Rexy whose shop suffered huge losses due to the flood. He generously donated not only these items but also time out of his busy schedule to drive us around the villages to do the deliveries in his Canter truck.

We wish to thank Minister Harry Nokta, The CIOG, Mr. Khan, Mr. George Bagwandin and the volunteers who helped us to distribute the items to the different families of Ogle/Industry. The photos below will tell the story of the plight of the people of Ogle and more so of Industry. Persons wishing to contact Mr. Sheik Yassen can get him on Telephone # 592-614-6053. Bryan Mackintosh


Sheik Yassen on the phone getting things organised	Loading up the Canter for delivery		Wood soaking in the floodwater, more losses for this businessman	Sheik transferring the CIOG donated items to our delivery truck



	These puppies wanted to come with us, poor things			Even the deceased were affected with this flooding

	Look at the innocent faces just praying for the floodwater to go		Sheik making sure that the items are shared out equally	Everyone got a little of everything.

This innocent little sweetheart was overlooking the distribution.



				Sheik gets a hamper from Sonia one of our volunteers

Just enough to last a few days, we hope to return soon to do more deliveries.		Cutting up pumpkin for delivery to villagers	Old Grasstrack fans will remember the Chatax shop in Ogle just across from the Ogle ground

Road in Industry covered with water	Repeat pic, will be replaced.	Balkisoon's House in Industry	This shop in Industry is famous for the best duck curry in the world	This one is for my friend Mark Balkisson in Canada, your mom says hello

	Safely out of the way of the floodwater	Persons coming out from back of South Industry for items.	Sheik hands over supplies to a weary Industry resident

		Can you imagine how hard it is to take care of this poor little baby in this crisis?

	The last words of late President Cheddi on this sign in Industry	This fence shows the drop in the water level, even with it dropping this area is still under a lot of dirty water	This house was built a few feet off the ground, they said that the water never came in	The famous Ogle Mandir under floodwater.

	Another flooded road in Industry	Industry market street.	The floodwater is still on the main road in Ogle as it has been for the last 2 weeks	Mr. Khan who drove us all afternoon, thank you very much Sir