Six-year-old Orlando Jaikarran was laid to rest on Friday as relatives, friends and residents gathered to bid him farewell, with speakers urging greater protection of children.

Orlando, affectionately known as "Lil Boy", was remembered as a bright, kind and helpful boy. His mother, Navita Ramnarine, stood with his three siblings and grandparents near his coffin.

Region Five Regional Chairman Recardo Phillips used the occasion to urge parents and communities to recommit to protecting children, saying safeguarding young lives must be a collective responsibility.

"The youth are the future. The development and transformations in this region hinges on the youth, on our children, and as such, we must protect them," he said.
Phillips also condemned violence against children, saying it has no place in communities, the region or Guyana.

"When we see a child suffering, we must speak. When we hear a child crying, we must act. And it takes a whole village to protect a child, to raise a child," he said.
He added that President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali believes in the potential of young people and has made significant investments in the country's future.

Tributes from the family followed. A eulogy delivered by Theresa Molaha on behalf of Ramnarine described Orlando as cheerful, caring and loving. The youngest of four children, he had begun to grow into "a real little man" in his last two years, it said.

"If I had to describe Orlando in three words, I would say he was helpful, kind and friendly. He had a smile that could fix any bad day," the eulogy said.

It also traced his short school life. Orlando started at Waterloo Nursery School, graduated in July and enrolled at Bath Primary School, where he attended Grade One.

Away from the classroom, he enjoyed riding his bicycle, playing cricket and flying kites with his brother, cousins and friends. He was also active at Miracle Touch Assembly of God Church, where he attended Sunday school.

The eulogy then turned to the family's loss.

"On the 14th of October in 2026, God called our little boy home after only six short years. Six years was not enough for us, but it was enough for him to show us what pure love is," it said.

Orlando's teachers also paid tribute. Bath Primary School headteacher Susan Hemerding described him as a reserved and quiet pupil with a keen interest in athletics. She said he won three gold medals at recent events and proudly displayed them.

Orlando's body was found in the Waterloo Main Canal near the sea dam at Bath Settlement on Tuesday, October 20. His father, Bharrat Jaikarran, was remanded to prison on Friday on a charge of murdering him.