THE first batch of Guyanese airlifted from hurricane-devastated Grenada arrived home yesterday relieved to be back among loved ones. Many wept openly as they reunited with relatives here after the harrowing experiences when Ivan the Terrible swept through the island a month ago. Some 90 per cent of the infrastructure on the island was destroyed by the storm and Guyana is among Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that have rallied to the assistance of the small south Caribbean nation. Fifty-one Guyanese residing on the island were flown home on a BWIA flight the government chartered yesterday morning. Most of them were women and children, the men staying back to help rebuild the island. Though the future may seem uncertain for many of those coming back home, they are all sure of one thing: they're glad to be back home. President Bharrat Jagdeo was at the Carifesta Avenue Sports Complex in Georgetown to meet those flown back home. Relatives were at the complex to greet the families returning here. Embraces and tears of joy followed as those in Guyana tried to overcome the emotions that having their families in their arms brought. All of them had a different story to tell about their experiences during the hurricane, but they all shared the same experience after the devastating storm. Though they were all accepted on the Spice Isle before disaster struck, Hurricane Ivan the Terrible unleashed not only destruction, but some unpleasantness, they said. The Guyanese, barring none, said they were treated badly by some residents, simply because they were Guyanese. "When we went for food, they told us our names were not on the list; you know you are in a foreign country, so I just did not bother,” one woman said. Another said that when the relief supplies landed in the various communities and they went out with their bags, they were chased. "They would tell we, ‘Y'all Guyanese move, it a’int got nothing for y'all here", one mother said. One family told President Jagdeo that the relief supplies Guyana sent should have been marked for Guyanese and that would have ensured they received them. But the President said that the Guyana Government could not send relief supplies only to Guyanese “since the entire island was in disaster". Rivaldo Seecharran, four years old, came on the flight alone, but was greeted by his aunt Amanda who was waiting for him at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The boy's parents Maria and Racquel Seecharran remained in Grenada. He recalled how his family hid in the bathroom for some two hours as everything around them fell when Ivan struck. His mother, speaking to reporters here by telephone, said her son was always the brave one throughout the ordeal. She said he wanted to see everything and at one point before they went into the bathroom, he opened the window and peeped outside. Carol Cossiah said they were glad to be back home and glad that they have something to come home to. She said that because her two children are Grenadians, it was difficult for them to leave the island, but they have come here with her. A teacher, she hopes to be in Guyana until December and then rejoin her husband who is helping with the rebuilding in Grenada. "There is no way to describe the experience, it was just terrifying and horrible", she said of Hurricane Ivan. Cossiah said although they had prepared many times for hurricanes over the years, nothing could have prepared them for the disaster that struck. She said she had been living there since 1990 and pointed out that she hardly benefited from the relief supplies. Her husband and mother are still living there. Natasha Ramsammy, a mother of two, told this newspaper that the experience was very devastating. She said it was the first time her family went through such a traumatic experience. They spent the time at a neighbour's home before returning here. "I was standing there and saw zinc sheets and everything spinning in the air". She hopes to spend about a month in Guyana or at least until their home is repaired. She also said that they received no relief. Winifred Howell, mother of Natasha Ramsammy, said she is extremely happy that her daughter has returned. "When I heard about the hurricane, I was very worried, but she called me four days after and said she was o.k." She commended the government's efforts to bring the Guyanese back home. Shakuntala Ramnarine said she would not be returning to the island for the next few years. She operated a roti business there and said the entire island is in a state of devastation. She said they were forced to beg for water. She had been living there for the past four years. Her husband, a Grenadian has remained in the country. Ramnarine also reported that the Guyanese soldiers already in Grenada are doing a good job. Savitree Ramnarine, mother of Shakuntala, was so overcome with emotion that it was difficult for her to express her feelings yesterday. However, she said she was extremely happy to have her family back. Hollyann Bristol, 24, said the area in which she lived was one of those hardest hit by the hurricane. She said that the day before the hurricane, the family got together and prayed and kept worship sessions. However, nothing prepared them for what happened less than 24 hours after. "We stood there and saw our building crumble before our eyes - we lived in our garage until this morning" (yesterday), Bristol said. She had been residing there for the past 11 years and said they had an extra stove and survived by using that. She commended the efforts of the Guyanese soldiers on the island. "They are doing a very good job; we are not getting any negative feed back". She said she is willing to do any job for the time being. Leona Newton, whose two nieces and three nephews returned, said that she feels great to have her family home and they are welcome to stay until they are ready to leave. Newton said that while in Guyana, she constantly prayed that her family was safe. She expressed regret that persons had to die, but was thankful that her family was alive and safe. She said that the President's effort to bring the Guyanese home was very commendable and she expressed the hope that persons can find jobs. Among those arriving here yesterday was Gerwyn McDonald, 16. He said he is here to complete his studies. A Venezuelan by birth, Gerwyn said he travelled to Grenada for family purposes. However, when Hurricane Ivan struck, he knew he could no longer remain there. Then the perfect opportunity presented itself with the Education Ministry in Grenada offering students who were preparing for examinations, a chance to go to any Caribbean country to complete their study. So when Gerwyn heard that the flight to Guyana was free, he grasped the opportunity with both hands since he heard that his father's family resides here. The teen told members of the media that he made no kind of preparation for the hurricane, since it was underestimated. "It was a one of a kind experience and something I would never want to experience again.” President Jagdeo told reporters he was glad that the Guyanese are home. He said he had listened to the ordeals that they went through and noted their grievances about what went on in the aftermath of the hurricane in relation to the distribution of the relief supplies. However, the President stressed that in no way were all Grenadians the same. He promised that the matter would be looked into and would be raised with the Grenadian Government. According to the President, finding jobs and especially homes for the Guyanese who have returned, would be difficult and his government was relying on the families to do their part. He explained that it was up to Guyanese living in Grenada to take up the government’s offer of flying back home. "It is a voluntary thing...if you want to come home, we will bring you home". He said the children who returned should be enrolled in school in one week's time. Regarding taking persons from Grenada and housing them here, Mr. Jagdeo said the offer is still open, but CARICOM makes the final decision. The President told reporters that the issue of who will have overall command of the troops from the various countries going to Grenada to assist with the rebuilding process is still not settled. He said that at one point Trinidad and Tobago was taking control and then it was said that every country should control its own troops. According to the President, as soon as this issue is cleared, more Guyanese soldiers would travel to Grenada. He hopes that as soon as they enter Grenada "they get into productive activities". Some 100 Guyanese soldiers are to be deployed on the island to help in the rebuilding. The Guyana Government and the private sector have shipped 25 containers of relief supplies to the island and Guyana will pay $40M for sugar supplies already delivered to Grenada. President Jagdeo said his government is prepared to assist but would have to do so within the confines of its resources. Of the 51 persons who returned, 21 were children and the others mostly women since the men all remained in Grenada to work. SOURCE: GUYANACHRONICLE.COM