The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) has raised 7.5 million Jamaican dollars towards the restoration of the Jamaica National Children’s Home. Sections of the Home were destroyed by fire in early August. 

The non-profit organization launched a restoration fund for the Home in the aftermath of the fire, with a  goal of 10 million dollars by the end of September. 

Speaking on Tuesday at the UWJ’s 2019 Nation Builders’ and Employee Awards, Chairperson Dr Marcia Forbes called for increased support for the restoration fund. 

The Jamaica National Children’s Home, located in Papine, St. Andrew, houses approximately 86 children. 

The Home was established in 1972 to provide a caring and stable home to orphans and abandoned children, as well as children with severe mental or physical disabilities, whose parents are unable to provide proper care for them.

It is estimated that the full restoration of the home will cost $150 million.