Gov’t to Assist Family of Raheem Davey

The Government will be providing support to the family of 12-year-old Raheem Davey of Broadgate, St. Mary, who died when boulders crashed into his home on November 11.

His eight-year-old twin sisters were injured in the incident.

One of the girls has been admitted at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in Kingston, where she is in critical condition, while the other has been released from hospital.

Local Government and Community Development Minister, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, gave the commitment of assistance to Raheem’s mother, Charmaine Newell, when he and other Ministry representatives visited the area on November 15.

He said the Ministry will pay for the funeral and other associated expenses.

Speaking with journalists, Mr. McKenzie said he and Labour and Social Security Minister, Hon. Shahine Robinson, have discussed the provision of additional support to the family.

A welfare subcommittee comprising public- and private-sector stakeholders from the parish has already provided the family with some basic necessities.

This followed a preliminary assessment conducted by the Parish Disaster Coordinator along with representatives of the Labour and Social Security Ministry, Child Development Agency (CDA) and Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

Mr. McKenzie assured that both Ministries “are going to be working closely with the family… and whatever (else) can be done collectively, will be done”.

Ms. Newell’s house was destroyed by the boulders. She and her daughter, who has been released from hospital, are staying with relatives at a house on the same premises.

The distraught mother told Mr. McKenzie that her other daughter, who is at Bustamante Hospital, is being aided by a ventilator, as she is unable to breathe on her own.

Ms. Newell travels to the hospital daily to visit her daughter, and Minister McKenzie pledged to provide some assistance in this regard.

He conveyed condolences to Ms. Newell and her family on Raheem’s untimely passing, and expressed the hope for his sister’s recovery.

“I am really at a loss for words. The devastation of the location and the fact that a 12-year-old has lost his life is very unfortunate and very sad. We are hoping… through the doctors and with God’s help, (that) the child will overcome and will be able to breathe normally,” he added.