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Gov’t to assist with funeral expenses of 8-y-old St Catherine girl

Published:Wednesday | September 30, 2020 | 2:30 PM
Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams (right), looks on as Principal of the Linstead Primary and Junior High School, Gloria Johnson (left), consoles Howard Marshall, the stepfather of eight-year-old Naomi Jones, who died tragically at her home in Commodore, St Catherine, on the weekend. Williams and a team from the Ministry visited the grieving family on September 29, 2020 - Contributed photo

Minister of Education and Youth, Fayval Williams, has pledged continued support to the family of eight-year-old Naomi Jones who died tragically on the weekend at her home in Commodore, St Catharine.

READ: 8-y-o girl found hanging

During a visit on Tuesday, Williams assured family members that grief counsellors from the Ministry will continue to work with them and that assistance will be provided to cover funeral expenses.

She expressed condolences and encouraged the grieving family not to despair but to seek solace in their spiritual belief.

She noted that immediately after hearing the news, the Ministry’s support team was activated to “make sure that they are here in person, to support you”.

Williams said that the staff at the Ministry were devastated by the untimely passing of the late Linstead Primary and Junior High School student.

“We consider the children in the education system to be our children. It touched our hearts because we are parents as well,” she noted.

“It is not something that anyone would wish to happen to someone. Our children are precious, they are innocent, and as adults, it is a special privilege that we have to take care of them and guide them,” she noted.

Principal of Linstead Primary and Junior High, Gloria Johnson, who was at the home, also pledged the full support of the school community.

She praised the stepfather of her late student, Howard Marshall, for the role he played in her life.

“The love, the attachment, everything that we would want from a male figure, he gave to the child, and the school is behind them,” the principal said.

Williams was accompanied on the visit by members of the Ministry’s counselling unit, personnel from the regional office, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), and officials from the Linstead Primary and Junior High School.

- JIS News

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