KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Optimist International Caribbean District (OICD) has donated $100,000 and clothing to the Walker’s Place of Safety that was recently gutted by fire, displacing 34 children and claimed two young lives.

Making the presentation yesterday to the Child Development Agency, District Governor of the OICD, Calvin Hunter expressed “sadness, sorrow, pain, distress and regret” at the tragedy.

“We want to add our voice to those who mourn and to assure the survivors that we will be assisting as much as possible to help in their recovery,” he said, adding that the pain caused by the flames cannot be removed but the present suffering can be eased.

The OICD district governor also called on the authorities to take all necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of that situation.

“Firm steps must be made to ensure the security and safety of our children in the care of the state. Accidents will happen, but we must do all that we can to prevent them recurring,” he noted.

He said his group pledges to give care and attention to the wards of the Walker’s Place of Safety beyond this tragedy, in keeping with their mandate.

The Walker’s Place of Safety was in operation for over 45 years, and was home to children ages two to18 years, who have been abandoned or removed from their homes because of unstable conditions.