Finally!
Published:Sunday | February 27, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Cayman resident helps Armadale survivor after long wait for help from Jamaican Government
Tyrone Reid, Sunday Gleaner Reporter
With no help coming from the Government, it took the kindness of a former judge in The Cayman Islands and her three children to help ease the pain of a Jamaican teenage girl who was badly burnt while in the care of the State at the Armadale Juvenile Correctional Centre.
The teenager's plight was highlighted by The Sunday Gleaner, and the former judge saw the article and contacted the Office of the Children's Advocate (OCA) about the fire survivor.
When contacted, Priya Levers said she could not believe that the Jamaican Government could not find the money to pay for the much-needed bodysuit, but could fit the bill for the Manatt enquiry.
"I was particularly struck by the fact that there was a tribunal going on for $40 million, and the Government could not find the US$804 (J$69,000) to purchase the body- suit," the retired judge said.
She added: "I was just thinking that it is so tragic."
The OCA has already received the money and plans have been put in high gear to have the suit brought in from overseas for the young fire victim.
situation highlighted
Two weeks ago, The Sunday Gleaner reported that the Government had committed to purchasing the bodysuit overseas but failed to honour the commitment after the teenager was fitted for it.
The specially designed bodysuit is needed to help control keloids that have formed on her body after she suffered third-degree burns in the tragic incident that claimed the lives of seven girls housed at the state-operated juvenile correctional facility. The girl sustained burns to her upper body and arms, and will require plastic surgery.
In addition to sending the money, the Sri Lanka-born Levers and her children, all of whom were born and raised in Jamaica, sent a get-well card for the teenager. She said in addition to being moved by the girl's plight, she and her family felt compelled to help because "Jamaica has been good to us".
A source at the OCA revealed that a letter was sent to the former judge at her home in Grand Cayman a few days ago, lauding the generosity of her family.
"We of the Office of the Children's Advocate wish to thank you for your very generous gift of $70,000 to purchase a custom vest and custom hand piece for ... one of the victims of the Armadale fire," read a section of the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Sunday Gleaner.
The missive added: "I am sure you will be pleased to note that we have, on this day (February 21, 2011), placed the order for custom vest and custom hand piece, and we will write to you again when (she) is fitted and let you have an appropriate photograph."
Suffering
Since July 2010, the OCA has been making representation to the Government on behalf of the teenager who has to live with the scars, discomfort, and pain she has been left with after escaping the burning inferno in Alexandria, St Ann.
In July 2010, the OCA made a written representation to the Ministry of Health. That was followed up by another letter in September of that same year. Nevertheless, no help was forthcoming from the State.
Earlier this month, Children's Advocate Mary Clarke made a plea to the Government to make a special provision in their budget for children who require overseas medical attention.
Clarke told The Sunday Gleaner last Friday that the Ministry of Health contacted the OCA after Levers gave the commitment, and said it would pay for the bodysuit. But having secured the funds from the retired judge and her family, Clarke said she has asked the ministry to set the money aside to help pay for the plastic surgery the young girl will need in the near future.