Archive for April, 2005
President’s College male dorm rebuilding starts
Reconstruction work has begun on the President’s College male dormitory one year after fire gutted the entire building resulting in millions of dollars in losses. The cause of the fire is still undetermined.
According to the school’s administrative manager Derrick Jodhan, the rebuilding of the dorm started in January but was halted when the massive flooding which devastated the East Coast began. President’s College is located at Golden Grove on the East Coast Demerara.
The contracted work was expected to take one year to be completed, however because of the flood it would have to be extended. The cost of the entire project is some $80 million.
The fire that started around 11 am on April 26 last year, when all the students were at school, destroyed the entire dorm and some classrooms that were housed below it.
The majority of students were unable to save any of their belongings as were four house parents who were staying in the dorm.
At a time of great tragedy students came together to help each other; before the fire fighters arrived on the scene students formed a bucket brigade to put out the fire, which they thought could have been contained. Residents of nearby villages as well as teachers and house parents also pitched in.
But tears flowed as they watched as the fire ravaged the building. And frightened for their beloved President’s College some students prayed that it would not spread as it threatened the female dorm and the library.
When the fire was contained the male dormitory was a wreck; there was no water or lights and the school was closed temporarily.
With the help of the government, the principal, teachers, parents, old students, NGOs and other organisations new school clothes, beds, mattresses and other important materials were provided.
The third, fourth and fifth form boys are currently staying at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute at Cove and John along with two house parents.
The upper and lower six boys are housed in the school’s auditorium.
Source: Stabroek News
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