THE nine-year-old girl who was caught in an exchange of gunfire on Peynier Street more than a month ago was delighted when Home Affairs and National Security Minister Hermangild Francis visited her Wednesday.
The child, name withheld according to law, is said to be recuperating comfortably at her home in Ti Rocher.
The afternoon of Tuesday, May 29 of this year was one of horror for the young victim as she made her way home from school.
She found herself, quite innocently, in the midst of gunfire from opposing gangs that resulted in injury to both legs. She had been hospitalized from that day right up to the 30th of last month.
Her parents say her recovery is coming along pretty nicely and her prognosis is that she will walk again after therapy is received to help her do so.
They say their daughter is brave, cheerful and strong, despite her ordeal. The young victim is in a Spica hip caste which is placed from the abdomen down in order to support the thigh and hip. She received a bullet to the thigh which exited and injured her in the other leg.
The nine-year-old Grade-five student has missed out on her end of term exams at the Vide Bouteille Combined School, but due to her consistently above-average performance, her class teacher said she may very well be moved to the Grade six when the new academic year opens in September.
She has received counselling during her hospitalization and going forward the entire family will benefit from counselling to support them in recovering from the rather shocking and traumatic experience they all are going through.
Meanwhile Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and National Security Senator Hermangild Francis, who visited the nine-year-old victim at her home this week, said he was pleased with her progress so far.
He presented her with a special token to ensure that she could occupy her mind with learning and playing during the summer vacation.
The student did not arrive home on the evening of May 29. Instead she was whisked away by ambulance to the Victoria Hospital Emergency Room and has been immobilized since.
Permanent Secretary in the Department of Home Affairs and National Security Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey noted that individuals with ongoing conflict must not deprive other members of the public of their right to public safety.
The victim’s parents are appealing for the violence to stop as it creates more issues that it resolves for the society. He says since that fateful day, life as the family knew it has become more challenging.
Well security minister! are you going to visit every victim of a gunshot or stabbing in St Lucia? or just be selective? this would take you a heck of a lot of time due to the shootings/stabbings that have taken place! whats you going to do about the once safe ,party island of the Carribbean? is it not the case that St Lucia is now the new ‘Jamacia’ with the island full of all inclusive hotels and therefore benifitting only the elite in St Lucia! the average Lucians lose out big time! Time will tell!