(Jamaica Observer) Member of Parliament for St Andrew Eastern Fayval Williams has been hit hard by a series of tragedies which impacted her constituents over the past week, while she was overseas.
Williams, who was one of the leaders of the Jamaican delegation that attended the Solar Power International (SPI) Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah, was on Government business when she received news that nine-year-old Kyle Richards of Goldsmith Villa in the Greater August Town community had been washed away by flood waters.
In the community of Chambers Lane, a major fire engulfed homes, leaving 18 people homeless, while the community of Highlight View suffered major flooding that disrupted lives and damaged properties.
But yesterday morning, while speaking to students at Hope Valley Experimental School, which Kyle attended, Williams said it was the death of the young boy, whose body was found in Harbour View on Sunday, that touched her the most.
“It’s the loss of life, the loss of a child. As a mother, I grieve,” said Williams.
According to Williams, she remained in touch with affected individuals in the communities while she was away, extending help where possible. She said as soon as she returned to Jamaica on Monday night, she visited Kyle’s family.
Williams also praised residents of Chambers Lane for going to the assistance of those affected by the fire, and singled out Charles Tavares for his swift action, which saved the life of a disabled woman whose house burst into flames just seconds after she was taken out of the building.
“The work of helping the community members to rebuild begins,” said Williams, as she pledged her full support to the family and friends to “help them through a very, very sad time”.
Kyle went missing last Wednesday while making his way home from school. Reports are that he was among a group walking during a heavy downpour, when he was swept away by flood waters in a gully in August Town.
For days, a search-and-rescue team — including members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Jamaica Defence Force and Jamaica Fire Brigade, along with residents — combed the area before his body was found miles away on Sunday.
