The Hope Children’s Home is appealing for assistance from companies, organisations and members of the public as it works to recover from the devastating July 17 fire which destroyed its building.
Speaking with Kiskadee Watch, Director Kenneth Finlayson said the immediate priority is clearing the fire-damaged compound, determining what can be salvaged and making temporary arrangements for worship and the eventual return of the children.
Finlayson said individuals and organisations willing to provide practical assistance with the rebuilding effort are particularly welcome. Support can come in the form of cash donations or building materials, including sand, stone, cement and blocks. The home is also seeking labour, machinery and construction services.
“Anyone can call in, and they don’t have to give us money,” Finlayson said. “If they want to come and do something on the building, or they can buy sand, stone, cement, blocks, anything, we would welcome.”
Anyone willing to help Finlayson can contact him on 617-0339.
The children are currently staying at a government facility while rebuilding efforts get underway. Although they are receiving their main meals there, the home continues to seek assistance with their daily needs.
“We’re trying to still take care of the kids to the extent that we can,” Finlayson said, noting that the children have been affected by the sudden displacement caused by the fire.
“They want to know when we’re going to come back home,” he said.
The girls’ dormitory was not damaged and is being used as part of the home’s temporary operations. Worship services are currently being held outdoors under a tent after the church building was also destroyed in the blaze.
The home is accepting donations of drinking water, juices, sanitary items, cleaning supplies, school supplies and other necessities for the children. While clothing donations have been received in recent days, Finlayson said the needs will continue, particularly as the children prepare for the new school term and in meeting the needs of the babies.
Finlayson said the next major step is a comprehensive clean-up of the damaged compound. The home is awaiting promised assistance from companies that have machinery and trucks to remove the debris.
An engineer is also expected to assess the remaining structure and determine whether sections of the building can be repaired and re-roofed.
“The walls around downstairs look to be okay, but we don’t know yet until it is cleaned up,” Finlayson said. “We want to make sure that it is possible.”
The home is also hoping to resume work on another building which was under construction before the fire. If completed, that structure could provide accommodation for the children, although Finlayson acknowledged that rebuilding would take time.
The July 17 fire started at about 11 a.m. in the boys’ dormitory. All 33 children at the home—18 boys and 15 girls—were safely evacuated.
Two children and a caregiver were injured. One child suffered a fractured hand and possible smoke inhalation, while another was treated for shock. The caregiver sustained a laceration to an arm.
The home is urging those willing to assist with the recovery effort to come forward as it works to restore accommodation and other facilities for the children.
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