Lost immigrant wanders for 5 days

A shy, Guyanese immigrant who became lost in southeast Queens for five days because he was too scared to ask for directions is recovering from frostbite on his feet at Staten Island University Hospital, according to a spokesperson there.
The man, Damon Mootoo, 32, became lost on Wednesday, January 17, just 12 hours after arriving in New York for the first time. Following dinner at his brother’s South Jamaica home, Mootoo went for a walk and became hopelessly lost, according to published reports.
Mootoo, who was described in reports as being hard of hearing and speaking with a strong accent, had left the house without identification or money. He said he feared he would be arrested if he stopped to ask for help.
“I thought the best person to get help from was a police officer,” he told reporters. “But I was scared because I didn’t have ID with me and no money. I thought they would hold me,” he said.
Mootoo, who recently received his permanent residency card, also said he was afraid to approach busy-looking passersby and too ashamed to ask for food.
As it grew darker outside and began to snow, Mootoo walked from house to house hoping to recognize a familiar setting, but to no avail. He slept in a yard between two pieces of wood the first night as he tried to protect himself from the snow.
He told himself not to give up and promised himself he would get up the next morning and continue walking.
Lost for a second day Mootoo sheltered next to a garage under a discarded Christmas tree that night.
During the two nights that followed, he slept in an abandoned car, reports said.
On Sunday, Mootoo said he woke up feeling hopeful that he would find his way.
Reports said Mootoo was retrieving water from a hose outside Michael Bharath’s home on 142nd Place when Bharath came home from church to find him there.
Learning of Mootoo’s plight, Bharath gave him something to eat and hot coffee to drink. After Mootoo found his stepmother’s address in his pocket written on a piece of paper, Bharath drove him there. The address was just a five-minute drive from Bharath’s home.
“I felt so thankful to him and to the Lord,” said Mootoo, who described himself as being scared the whole time.