Black River High rallying to support Ackalia Dunkley
Published:Wednesday | June 21, 2023 | 1:26 AMAshley Anguin/Gleaner Writer
THREE MONTHS after being first for a fire safety poster competition at her school, which ultimately placed her second in the parish, 14-year-old Ackalia Dunkley is now battling for life after being injured in a fire at her home.
Dunkley, who is described as full of life, was injured following a gas explosion last Friday at her home in Burnt Savannah, St Elizabeth.
While her desk at school is now empty, she is very much present in the minds of the teachers and her classmates.
The teen is being treated at the University Hospital of the West Indies.
Christopher Romans, principal of Black River High School, said the school’s great concern is to get Dunkley back on her feet.
“There is a drive in our school to do a collection from each classroom, and other schools in the community are also doing collection.”
According to Romans, the school board met yesterday and has committed to contribute towards Dunkley’s expenses.
“A fundraising play named ‘Single Parent’ will be showing this weekend and we hope to ask patrons to contribute in aid of her,” he advised.
Karen Strachan, year group supervisor for seventh grade of Black River High School, was emotional as she spoke about Dunkley.
“I am getting emotional as I speak. This child loves life, is very vibrant, lively and interactive in class. She does her schoolwork well, quite a friendly and pleasant young lady,” Strachan told The Gleaner.
The incident has left members of the Black River High School which Dunkley attends in a sombre mood.
SUPPORTIVE CLASSMATES
Though they are depressed about the incident, Dunkley’s classmates are extremely supportive and want to assist in any way they can.
“We as a school have taken on the initiative and students themselves have come to me and said ‘Miss, we want to contribute’,” Strachan said.
“The school is rallying around in as many ways that we can in terms of giving whatever we have financially and posting the information about the gofundme on social media platforms,” she added.
Delroy Slowley, the member of parliament for St Elizabeth North Eastern, has donated US$5,000.
Slowley came forward yesterday to provide part of the cost towards the US$45,000 that is needed to airlift Ackalia overseas for the life-saving surgery, which she will need at the Joseph M. Still Burn Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, in the aftermath of the terrifying mishap.
“The foundation has arranged for the expenses of the hospital overseas, and what is outstanding is the airlift ambulance service, which is at a cost of about US$45,000. I personally have given US$5,000 to the cause, and I have reached out to others,” Slowley told The Gleaner, adding that a local businessman has also put forward US$2,000.
The donation came following a cry for help from Ackalia’s father, Ruphema Dunkley, after he immediately arrived in Jamaica from Philadelphia upon learning what happened to his daughter.
Slowley added that, based on his visit to the family’s home on Monday to survey the damage, he will be working to see how much restoration work can be done at the property.
“We went there yesterday and viewed what happened. The windows were blown out completely, the ceiling caved in, and the roof was also lifted. It was a good thing it was not a concrete structure, because had it been, all the impact would have been contained completely … the child could have been in a worse state, as it could have been fatal,” Slowley remarked.
At press time, there has been tremendous response to the fundraising effort as 459 persons donated US$20,412.
The administrators of the school will be doing a prayer and counselling session with students at the school during the morning shift today.
Dunkley suffered third degree burns when she was preparing for school on Friday morning when the incident happened.
If you want to assist Ackalia Dunkley, please contact her father, Ruphema Dunkley, at 876-788-1225 or 1-267-383-5089.
Account details: C&W J Co-operative Credit Union, Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth
Name: Ruphema Dunkley
Member#: 6517978
Account#: 0015