A young Guyanese woman of Karisparu Village, Region 8, has reached out to this publication to tell her side of the story after a misleading and inconsiderate Facebook post left her life in shambles. The young mother explained that the social media post, which went viral, caused her to lose business, family, and friends. Because of this Facebook Post, persons, whom she had long trusted and were close to her, suddenly stopped talking to her and began avoiding her. The post might have also affected a new tourism venture she was starting in her hometown of Karisparu, as two groups of potential tourists who were making plans with her suddenly cut her off after the Facebook Post was made.
Rihanna Williams explained to this publication that, on the 22nd of May, 2024, a sum of $140,000 Guyana dollars which was placed in her care, along with $120,000 of her own money, was lost or stolen while in her possession. After being unable to repay the money for some time, on June 10th, 2024, someone made a viscous and misleading Facebook post accusing Rihanna of converting the money to her personal use. Rihanna explained that the whole incident, including the Facebook post, left her in a state of depression and having suicidal thoughts.
Rihanna Williams would like to reiterate that she didn’t convert the money to her personal use. It was lost, and she has already replaced 100% of it.
Statement from Rihanna Williams
I misplaced $140,000 from miss Carlet, the dorms mother, that she was sending with me for her children who are in the city in my care. Along with her money, I misplaced my $120,000, so it’s not like I used the money for my own benefits.
I was left without any cash on me. I didn’t even have money to pay my rent and utility bills. Also, I had graduation on 24th May, and I had no money to go to graduation. Thankfully, Nikita Cassiano, the eye specialist, assisted me in getting my outfit to go to the graduation.
The day I got posted was the day I was expecting the money to replace the money that was lost, but there was a delay, so I got it the next day and went and gave the girl the full amount of the money that was misplaced in my care.
My only mistake I think I made is that I didn’t admit to the woman that I had misplaced it…thinking I would get the money I was expecting earlier in the week.
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Team Guyana, South America would like to advise all Guyanese, and persons in general, to avoid misusing social media to embarrass and pressure people, especially where it is an issue of a petty financial nature. Remember, if the person is innocent, your post can still have a penetrating effect on all areas of your victim’s life. This is a form of cyber crime and is punishable by law with heavy fines and jail time. Be considerate of each other, and especially of how you use social media. Remember, mishaps can happen to anyone.
Editor’s Note: Rihanna Williams is eagerly pioneering tourism to her hometown of Karisparu Village, Region 8. If you would like to visit Karisparu Village, a peaceful mountaintop village where the temperature drops as low as 8 degrees Celsius, you can get in touch with Rihanna to plan a tour. Her contact information is as follows:
