Guyana's former first lady on Nov. 28, 2007 appealed to her fellow citizens to lend her a car to carry out charitable work, complaining she has currently has to walk or take a bus. 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 with two of 10 youngsters she recently accompanied to India for surgeries.

ABC 7 News myTAKE - What's Your Opinion? She said she has been forced to walk a mile 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.