The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has joined the Mustard Seed Communities and the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities in providing assistance for nine-year-old Ashley Anderson, who was shot in her head by a stray bullet at her gate in downtown Kingston last year.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Andrew Gallimore, who visited Ashley and her mother Kadian McIntosh on Wednesday, said he was touched by the situation and was committed to getting assistance for the family.

Ashley has been in a vegetative state since September last year when she was shot in the head. The bullet lodged in her skull and the fragments scattered in her brain.

"This situation has touched me very deeply. She is now disabled and I know that persons in Jamaica with disabilities need help and professional care," Gallimore said.

"When I saw what happened, it became obvious that the mother could not manage. I made contact with the Mustard Seed Home, which decided to take the child and care for her, so that the mother can continue with her life in providing for herself and the rest of her family," he said.

Gallimore called on Jamaicans to assist the Mustard Seed Communities, so that they could take proper care of persons under their care.

"I am asking every well-thinking Jamaican to assist the Mustard Seed Communities, and all the other non-governmental organisa-tions that are helping persons with disabilities. They play a role in our society that needs to be played, and there is a void that cannot be filled if they are not given the support. So, I am asking for your support," he urged.

Committed

Representative from the Mustard Seed Communities, Darcey Tulloch Williams, asserted that the organisation was committed to the process.

"When we saw what had happened to Ashley Anderson we felt that we had to respond, because the situation was overwhelming. We are available to take care of the child and provide what would be the best possible care for her, based on her disabilities," Williams said.

Williams also outlined that the Mustard Seed Communities would be working along with the Child Development Agency in preparing Ashley for a brighter future.

"We have to have discussions with the mother to see where she wants to take this, and to ensure that her child will be taken very good care of," she added.

- JIS