Clifton Boys get help from Public Defender, Negril CC

Western Bureau:

The 28 wards of the Clifton Boys' Home in Darliston, Westmoreland, who were recently displaced by a fire that destroyed the home, were on Sunday presented with school uniforms, basic clothing and other personal items valued at US$2,500 (J$322,375), thanks to the generosity of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) and the Negril Chamber of Commerce (NCC).

However, the exercise was not smooth as Public Defender Arlene Harrison-Henry and her team, and representatives from the NCC had to wait at the site of the burnt-out home for hours, as unknown to them, agents of the Child Development Agency had taken the boys on a trip to Kingston.

"To our disappointment, we have come and found that the boys are not here, but we have asked that the boys be returned that we can enjoy their company and they can enjoy ours," Harrison-Henry, told The Gleaner team that turned up to cover the event. "Today is a day where we have come to share with the boys and express our concern for them, and we have brought for them some needed items."

The boys eventually arrived back in Darliston shortly after 2:00 p.m. and were presented with the gifts. Local charity group, My Jamaica, pledged to them bunk beds which are to cost US$5,000 (J$644,750).

The wards, who range in ages six to 18 years old, lost all their belongings in the fire which destroyed the home at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 15. None of the boys was injured in the incident.

Christine Cohen, NCC director and operator of the Spa Retreat Hotel in Negril, said that in addition to the donation of items, her resort has also set up an online fund geared towards helping to rebuild the Clifton Boys' Home.

"The Spa Retreat Hotel set up a Go Fund Me account for the home, and our goal is to raise US$150,000 (J$19,342,500). We also hope to partner with Habitat with Humanity (a non-profit housing provision charity) and we are looking forward to rebuilding the home for the boys," said Cohen.

You can contribute

Just over a week ago, Reverend Hartley Perrin, the Custos of Westmoreland and chairman of the Clifton Boys' Home board of directors, established two accounts for the Clifton Boys' Home Rebuilding Fund at the National Commercial Bank in Savanna-la-Mar.

The account numbers are: 611-098-561 (JMD) and 614-525-185 (USD).