Introduction
The book of Matthew in Chapter 5 and verse 4 promises “blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted”, and while it’s easy to recite this verse during times of joy, it’s harder to accept its true meaning during times of real tragedy.
Our country has had to deal with tragedies that have taken on national importance because of a number of reasons, not least because of the manner of the tragedy or the individuals involved. We can be reminded of the 2013 Christmas Eve floods that claimed the lives of 7 Vincentians including a household of 3 in Rose Bank, and a young lady and her infant niece in the Buccament area. A few years later, on January 12, 2015 the Village of Fancy was thrown into mourning when a bus carrying 21 passengers plunged over a precipice claiming the lives of 7 teenaged students. Both tragedies sent shock waves across the nation and while the immediate villages were directly affected, the entire country mourned the tragic loss of lives. In both instances, the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, immediately put systems in place to support the families of the victims and provided financial support to the families to assist with the burial of their love ones. What was even more remarkable, was the manner in which Comrade Ralph, personally reached out to the families in their time of grief, the time when they needed to be comforted. Those tragedies remain fresh in our minds and ever so often, we comment on the sadness of the time, the grief caused, and positively the way our government supported those who mourned.
Clare Valley in mourning
The accident that occurred in Sandy Bay on the afternoon of Sunday September 11, 2022 bore similarities to that of Rock Gutter, and has created a similar type of national mourning like the previously mentioned incidents. Five young men, travelling in a bus to attend a funeral in Owia, lost their lives in very tragic circumstances when the bus ran off the road. Other passengers were also injured. The 5, Giovanni Barker, Elvis Harold, Khalil Robin, Ishmael Bruce, and Kenroy Haywood, were all young men who left families to mourn, including young children in some cases. Immediately upon learning of the accident, Comrade Ralph mobilised government systems, readying them to provide the necessary support to the families of the victims, which includes covering the costs of the burial of the deceased. Comrade Ralph telephoned all of the families and offered condolences, committing to support them during their difficult time. Like with Rock Gutter and Rose Bank, our Comrade went to Clare Valley and visited every family on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, sitting with them, listening to them, hearing their pain, feeling their grief and offering words of encouragement. The significance of that visit cannot be overstated, and it was important for the families to know that they have the full support of the government and people of this country. We are with them.
Later that week, on Saturday the 18th of September 2022, the Honorable Prime Minister hosted a prayer breakfast at the official residence for the family of the deceased and the injured. This activity was an emotional mixture of prayer, thanksgiving, pain, grief and praise as the families joined each other in songs of prayer and praise to God. The leaders of the churches in the community were invited to participate and participated fully, with Bishop Sonny Williams presenting the words of encouragement to those in attendance. The Honorable Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs, Curtis King, spoke to the families and offered words of encouragement, even as it was difficult to put in to words all the emotions that were present. Comrade Ralph, host of the event, spoke again to the families, reiterating his support and the support of the government to help them get through this time. Even as we recognise that nothing done at this point can bring back the love ones lost in the accident, we act in solidarity with the families to help them carry the burden of their suffering.
It was quite reassuring to see and hear Comrade Ralph interact with the families at the prayer breakfast, consoling a weeping relative or holding a baby of a crying mother. The genuineness and ease with which our Comrade was able to enter into the feelings of those in mourning is another example of the kind of leadership we have in this country, that is very close to the people and our circumstances, allowing him and the government he leads to respond quickly and appropriately regardless the situation.
Conclusion
The very open show of support by the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines including the very personal interest of Comrade Ralph in the aftermath of this very tragic incident speaks to the quality of leadership present in this country. Like the high priest referenced in Hebrews, Comrade Ralph has shown that he can be touched by the “feelings of our infirmities”, he feels our pains and shares our joys, he understands what we are going through. As the village of Clare Valley continues to mourn the loss of 5 of its sons and await the full recovery of other residents, the leadership and members of the ULP continue to stand with them in solidarity and support hoping for the best and full recovery of the injured. Our leader and our government have put all systems in place to ensure that the necessary supports are available to the families as they mourn the loss of love ones.
On behalf of the leadership and members of the Unity Labour Party, we offer sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, and to those recovering in hospital, a speedy recovery.