Guyana’s former first lady asks fellow citizens to lend her car

Guyana’s former first lady complained to her fellow citizens that she often has to walk on foot or go by bus and asked them to lend her a car.

Photo: Guyana’s former first lady asks fellow citizens to lend her car

In a bizarre news conference, Varshnie Jagdeo said state cars are no longer available to take her to her job at a children's charity. Her nearly nine-year marriage to President Bharrat Jagdeo ended with their separation in April.

"If there is anyone with a spare vehicle who can lend it to me for a while, I will be very grateful," the British-trained economist said in the capital, Georgetown . "I'm amazed that I needed to be married for the nation's children to get assistance."

The former first lady, who runs a Guyana charity that helps sick children travel overseas for medical care, appeared Wednesday with two of 10 youngsters she recently accompanied to India for surgeries.

She told reporters she has been forced to walk a mile (kilometer) to her office from the presidential house, where she has lived in separate quarters from Jagdeo since their marriage turned sour.

In mid-April, Guyana's first family announced they were splitting due to "amicable" differences. The couple wed in 1998, a year before Jagdeo became president of the small, English-speaking South American nation. They do not have any children.

The president, who is traveling abroad, was unavailable for comment.