Wards Affected By Fire to Receive Ongoing Support

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid, says ongoing support will be provided for families and children who have been affected by the fire that destroyed the Walker’s Place of Safety in Kingston on January 16.

Addressing a press briefing on January 17 at the downtown Kingston offices of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), the Minister thanked corporate Jamaica and persons for donating personal-care packages and other gifts to the wards of the State who were housed at the facility, adding that the Government will be assisting with the funerals of the two children who perished in the fire.

Senator Reid noted that he and State Minister in the Ministry, Hon. Floyd Green, met with family members, who are receiving the necessary counselling along with the children.

“We are going to do all that we can to help them journey through this difficult time,” the Minister said.

Senator Reid said he is expecting reports on the fire from the police and the Jamaica Fire Brigade, so that the authorities can be in an informed position to implement measures to prevent a recurrence.

“We need to have clear guidelines and standards under which these homes operate, to ensure that we don’t have a repetition,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Green reported that the affected children have been safely settled in three other homes, and there will be no “inordinate” disruption to their schooling.

He commended the Usain Bolt Foundation for its decision to donate $1 million to the rebuilding project.

Members of the public are being encouraged to make donations such as non-perishable food, clothing, educational supplies and personal care items, at the drop-off locations from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. They are:
• 40 Duke Street, Kingston
• 48 Duke Street, Kingston
• 12 Carlton Crescent, Kingston, or any other CPFSA office islandwide.

They can also make monetary contributions to the CPFSA at the Duke Street Branch of the National Commercial Bank (NCB), account number: 061018964.