138 Student Living makes timely donation to children’s homes
Published:Friday | December 29, 2023 | 12:09 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
The residents of the City of Refuge Children’s Home and the Jamaica National Children’s Home (JNCH) who were fêted by 138 Student Living Jamaica Limited on Thursday, as part of the organisation’s annual Christmas treat, had an enjoyable experience, evidenced by their bright smiles.
The kids played from around 10:00 in the morning until about 2:00 in the afternoon, having been fed, their face painted by a clown, and spending time in the bounce house.
Representatives from 138 Student Living donated clothing, bedding, toys for the kids, and appliances like a washing machine and microwave to City of Refuge and the JNCH, respectively.
Claudette White, interim director of the JNCH, stated in an interview with The Gleaner that the appliances would specifically benefit the Tegwyn unit, which accommodates 35 special-needs individuals as the unit prior to this was desperately in need of the donated items.
“When you have 35 residents in any one location, you can understand that the need for a washing machine is always constant. So we are very grateful ... they have chosen equipment that is always in demand here, and we want to thank them for not just giving, but for giving thoughtfully,” White said, explaining that the previous washer would frequently break down due to excessive use.
She also commended the organisation’s ongoing generosity towards the home located in Papine, St Andrew, since they adopted it three years ago as she highlighted that they had also helped with electrical and plumbing repairs and the recent rehabilitation of the home’s administration building for Labour Day.
“I’m very grateful to them for just remembering that we’re here because they have lots of options. There are lots of institutions, even within this community, that they could’ve chosen, and they chose us, so we want to thank them very much,” she said.
Since August 2019 when a fire razed the dormitory building of the home, administrators have not been able to house the full complement of residents that the facility is capable of housing.
White said that the home wishes to make an appeal “to all the powers that be”, including the Government and the private sector, to assist in the rebuilding the dormitory.
“At one time it housed over 77 children, so you can understand that having taken that out of the system, there’s a considerable gap,” she said.
Karen Tyrell, senior caregiver at City of Refuge, told The Gleaner that the home was always in great need of toiletries, clothes, bed linens, and toys for the children and that it was for this reason that they gladly welcomed the donation from 138 Student Living with open arms.
She went on to say that other things that the home was constantly in need of included learning toys, cookware, cutlery, bowls, plates, and cups.
Tyrell appealed to Jamaicans to help in this regard, adding that these items as well as an industrial stove would be appreciated to complete their kitchen.
Karelle McCormack, public relations and marketing manager for 138 Student Living, informed The Gleaner that this was the third year that the organisation was hosting the treat.
She noted that the organisation viewed such activities as part of its corporate social responsibility and outreach.
“Even though we are a real estate company that specialises in university housing, we also see the necessity in terms of reaching out to youth, and of course, those who are in special need,” she said.
She noted that the organisation has also formed a relationship with Sophie’s Place, a children’s home in Gordon Town, and had made donations to them also earlier in the year.
According to McCormack, 138 Student Living intends to continue its philanthropic efforts at these institutions in early 2024. The organisation’s goal is to support these institutions that are close to its location – The University of the West Indies, Mona campus –by providing them with the items they need.