KINNESHA GEORGE-HARRY
The Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is contemplating ways to assist the three children of Mt St George accident victims Christian and Teresa Alleyne-Adams.
This was the commitment given by THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine as he addressed hundreds of mourners gathered during the military send-off for the couple on Thursday at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex.
[caption id="attachment_1019153" align="alignnone" width="1024"] THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine speaks at the funeral of Christian Adams and his wife, Teresa Alleyne-Adams, at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Tobago on Thursday. The couple died in an accident on May 18. - David Reid[/caption]
On May 18, the Mt St George couple was crushed to death shortly after 2 pm when a truck collided and fell on top of their SUV along the Claude Noel Highway, between Rockley Vale traffic lights and the Botanical Gardens lay-by.
Adams was a fireman and his wife worked for the THA Division of Finance, Trade and the Economy. They had three young children.
He said, with all the good things being said about the couple because of the grief caused by their sudden death, the children must be remembered.
[caption id="attachment_1019152" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Tracey London, center, cousin of The late Teresa Adams, breaks down in tears as she views the bodies of Christian and Teresa Adams at their funeral at Shaw Park Cultural Complex on Thursday. - David Reid[/caption]
“What would be more important in going forward is how we as an island take care of the children that they leave behind. Now is a good time for the village that is Tobago to stand up, stand out for these three children and ensure that their future remains bright.”
He said their parents were doing a remarkable job in raising them, noting that all must continue doing that work.
“We have to support the grandparents, support the godparents in every way possible. We have to ensure that they attain the highest levels of education, we have to ensure that they receive all the psychosocial support needed because those three children must continue where their parents left off in making a positive mark on the society that is Tobago.”
He said the assembly would also play a part.
[caption id="attachment_1019154" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Teresa Alleyne-Adams' best friend, centre, gives the eulogy at the funeral for her and her husband, Christian Adams, at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Tobago, on Thursday June 1, 2023. The couple was killed in an accident on May 18. PHOTO BY DAVID REID - David Reid[/caption]
“This is a commitment on behalf of the Tobago House of Assembly that we would continue the conversations with the guardians of the three children so that we can ensure that the support is always there.”
Meantime, officiating minister Reverend Duane Samm said he too is struggling to come to terms with the death of the two. He said two persons he has come to know and love adding that the death of the two has touched the lives of many in a profound way.
