Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

LINSTEAD, St Catherine:

THE academic year got off to a bright start for the staff and students at Bronx Street Basic School in Linstead, St Catherine.

Little Nasheima Williams, who sustained multiple injuries when the chartered bus she was travelling in to the institution on November 24, last year, crashed into a parked truck on the Linstead bypass near Commodore, was back to continue her education.

"Now that she is back in school, all three teachers will be in charge of her, but more so, I'll be monitoring her progress, because she will be placed back in class two, and as soon as she is able, she will be transferred to class three. We are very happy to have her back," her teacher, Totlene Taylor, told The Gleaner.

OVERWHELMED

Her parents, Washington and Ann-Marie Williams, who accompanied her to school, were overwhelmed.

"First, I must say thanks to the Almighty to keep her that we really see her going back to school after nearly one year," her father, a mechanic, told The Gleaner.

He added: "I want to tell everybody in the world how grateful I am for the prayers that they sent, the faith that they had in God, the assistance that I got, the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) team at the (Bustamante) children's hospital, the doctors at Linstead, Spanish Town and the University hospitals. I just want to say thanks to everybody who helped."

He said despite her deformities, there was much to be thankful for.

"She cannot use the right hand. She walks with a limp, because she had a broken leg, but I'm so grateful to God. She has some teachers around her. They are like her parents, and I know that they will take care of her," he added.

"We are grateful," said her mother. "I have no complaints. If I complain, I would be ungrateful. I just want to thank God for everything," her mom said smiling, as she watched Nasheima as she took her seat in her class.

rural@gleanerjm.com