Help for little Nasheima

Portmore School Transport Association aids with surgery costs

Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

WAKEFIELD, St Catherine:

A TEAM from the Portmore School Transport Association (Contract) Limited journeyed to Wakefield in St Catherine on Sunday to make a contribution to Nasheima Williams, who sustained multiple injuries in a motor vehicle crash on the Linstead Bypass late last year.

The four-year-old underwent surgery at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, where she was admitted for just under four weeks.

For the family, the donation is timely, as Nasheima is scheduled to be readmitted to hospital today.

"She will undergo another surgery to remove the pin from her arm and her leg," her mother, Ann Marie Williams, explained to The Gleaner.

Hector Rowe, the association's chairman, who made the presentation, said his organisation was moved to give a helping hand, after reading Nasheima's story in which her father appealed for assistance, published in The Gleaner on January 23.

"After seeing it in the paper, (because we have been preaching against these white-plate vehicles, they don't have any insurance coverage for an accident), we decided to donate something for this child because we know what the parents are going through and not having any insurance to look forward to," explained Rowe.

It was out of the need to regularise contracted school bus operators in the Sunshine City and surrounding areas that the organisation was established in 2004.

"They were operating as if it was a sort of hustling thing, and we brought some order to it. We have uniforms, logos on our uniforms and on the vehicles, people started to see us different from the rest of operators. The association has rules that we abide by," explained Rowe.

In addition to being regularised, Rowe is encouraging operators islandwide to establish associations in their towns, noting that there are several benefits to be derived.

In the meantime, Nasheima's mom expressed gratitude to the association for its contribution.

Persons who want to assist the Williams family can make their contribution to the Victoria Mutual Building Society, Linstead branch, account number 25777129.

rural@gleanerjm.com