Members of the Maxfield Park Children's Home Special School perform a cultural item during a signing ceremony held at the home on Maxfield Avenue, St Andrew, yesterday. The Japanese Embassy yesterday provided the childcare facility with a grant of $3.5 million for a renovation project to commence in May. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

The Maxfield Park Children's Home in Kingston yesterday received a grant of approximately $3.5 million from the Japanese Embassy to assist with the renovation of sections of the 90-year-old property.

Maxfield Park is the oldest co-ed childcare facility in Jamaica. It serves as a permanent dwelling for many children who have been abandoned or otherwise made homeless.

Japanese Ambassador Masahiro Obata and acting manager of the Maxfield Park Children's Home, Stacy-Ann Nelson, yesterday signed the grant contract during a ceremony at the facility.

Dr Grace Allen-Young, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, said she sincerely appreciated the embassy's strong interest in Jamaica's children and said the grant would help to improve living conditions at the home.

The funds will be used to refurbish the bathrooms and sections of the kitchen, as well as Jeliffe House, which is home to 25 babies. A portion of the grant has also been earmarked for the purchase of bunk beds and cribs. It is expected that renovation of the home will begin in May this year.

Most precious resource

Allen-Young further said Jamaica's children are among Jamaica's most precious resource and through the Children Development Agency (CDA), the Government was committed to providing opportunities for the growth and development of children in its care.

Allen-Young said while the ministry recognised that the State had a responsibility to protect the welfare of the nation's children, she was calling on parents and other caregivers to provide positive child interaction and hands-on love.

She also recognised the contributions made by the staff of the Maxfield Park facility and other workers in the 52 children's homes islandwide.

The permanent secretary also took time out to encourage assistance for Martha's House, a Mustard Seed Communities home, which was recently razed.

In the meantime, Mustard Seed Communities has thanked members of the society for the support they have already received.

The CDA has offered counselling to the 30 children in the house and they have also been given medication.

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com