By Colwyn Abrams
She was once “a little angel full of joy” but on Wednesday, family and friends mourned over the lifeless body of six-year-old Sharezer Mendonca.
She was one of three children to have died under highly controversial circumstances at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
At the funeral Wednesday, videos of Little Sharezer were displayed on a screen.
She aspired to be a teacher and at her school’s recent career day at Queenstown’s Primary on the Essequibo Coast, she even dressed as a teacher.
She would often be seen teaching her pet parrot to speak; since her death, relatives say the parrot now calls out for her, using her middle name Sasha.
The six-year-old was diagnosed with Leukemia and was being treated at the Georgetown Hospital where she died suddenly under controversial circumstances.
Her grandmother, almost as a duty, would have to get chalk for her every time she left the house to go out and Sharezer would wait by the stairs.
At the home of a relative at Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara, relatives and friends gathered for her funeral, some dressed in t-shirts with pictures of the child; others wore pink ribbons signifying hope for the end of cancer.
A teacher of Sharezer was moved to tears while giving her tribute; she said Sharezer was as a high achiever among her peers.
“She has gone from our sides but never from our hearts.
“To her Mom, may peace and comfort find you during this difficult time.
“May her good memories give you peace and comfort.”
Sharezer loved music and was given a tribute in song by her aunts.
Sharezer was one of three children to have died at the Georgetown Hospital after she was given an injection before her chemotherapy treatment and for weeks, she fought for her life in the Intensive Care Unit, before she succumbed on January 24.
In the eulogy, Sharezer’s aunt Azeena Bakraj said her niece fought a good battle and now that she is gone she will continue to fight for justice.
“Sharezer was an incredible person and our loss has been heaven’s gain.
“Her body is gone but her spirit remains with us all today.
“What I want you all to take away from this is to not let the loss of her change us… to be better people in every way.
“While we are sad to go on without her, we could give her death a powerful meaning if we let her divine spirit guide us as we go out into the world and keep her alive in our hearts by using everything she taught us throughout her journey and that is to go out and seek the greatness in ourselves.”
She further stated: “Sharezer, Aunty knows you were a little fighter until your last breath and it is my promise that I will keep fighting on your behalf may your precious soul rest in peace.”
Sharezer was laid to rest in the St. Marks Anglican Church Enmore North burial ground.
