[ad_1]
Western Bureau:
When Kayann Sterling and Horace Campbell’s two children died in separate accidents during the summer, their lives were never the same.
However, the children’s grandmother, Molly Campbell, told The Gleaners Their families try to support them despite having few resources.
Molly is also hoping to get help as she and the children’s grandmother, Beverly Wedderburn, will take on the role of primary carers.
“It’s bad. Even now it’s bad because the kids don’t have a mother or a father and that worries me. It’s affecting us a lot. It’s very hard because we always thought their father would be here to help the two grandmothers,” Molly said.
Sterling died on July 3 during Hurricane Beryl’s passage. The 33-year-old mother of two died after she was injured in an accident on Hanover Green Island. She was reportedly hit by a fallen branch while outside looking for cell phone signal. Her body lay outside overnight until the Category 4 hurricane left the island.
Campbell was said to have been present with Sterling on the day of the accident and was devastated by Sterling’s death. Campbell’s mother told the Herald that despite Campbell’s heartbreak, he was focused on preparing his 8-year-old son to return to primary school in September, while helping their 16-year-old son take the next step in his educational journey. The Gleaners On Sunday.
Family members are shocked
However, Campbell will not be able to see his son wear the new khakis he purchased for the upcoming school year because he was killed in a motorcycle accident on August 9th.
Molly told The Gleaners Their families are devastated by the tragic end of both lives. However, she is left with a huge void inside after losing her only child, Sterling.
“She was very caring, very kind. She was working at a hotel in Negril and people were saying she was a very kind lady. They lost a very caring employee. She used to work housekeeping,” Molly said.
As for Campbell, Molly said “he’s also a caring person.”
“He took care of the children and they stayed with him after their mother died,” she further explained.
Molly noted that the two boys experienced great trauma and loss over the summer, but she is looking forward to brighter days as they continue their education. Her oldest son was preparing to graduate from high school on the day Sterling died.
“They’re doing OK. They were here with me before, but now they’re with their other grandmother near their father’s house. The big one told me he wanted to go to HEART school. I got him an (application) form and he filled it out, but they told me he had to be 17 to enroll,” she told The Gleaners.
Molly added: “The youngest son is only eight so it’s not like he understands at all. He knows mum and dad are dead. He seems OK because I didn’t hear him say anything but I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, Molly expressed her hope to be able to provide financial and psychological assistance to support the boys in attending school in this difficult situation. She shared that while their family has not yet decided on the primary residence for the children, they are working hard to provide them with assistance.
“Because now I have no job. I am sick. I have asthma and high blood pressure,” she said.
The boys’ grandmother further told The Gleaners Her other children also stepped up to help.
At the same time, Molly also thanked the kind people who tried their best to comfort her family and help them through this tragic time.
In written response The GleanersThe Child Protective and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) said it plans to contact the victims’ families this week.
“A member of the CPFSA First Aid Team plans to contact the family on Monday, August 26, 2024, to arrange a visit to not only check on the children’s well-being, but also to understand the psychosocial support they and their families require.”
[ad_2]
Source link
