President Irfaan Ali on Monday donated $2.5 million towards the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s restoration of the Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home.
The Convalescent Home, which was built by the Rotary Club of Georgetown and the Red Cross through Rotary’s fundraising efforts, opened in 1980. It is a community outreach programme that provides residential care and support for children aged five and under. The Home aims to promote children’s safety, and welfare and the goal of family reintegration or fostering/adoption.
Being in a state of disrepair for a number of years, the Rotary Club of Georgetown launched the $25 million restoration project as a testament to the club’s dedication to “Service Above Self” and “Creating Hope in the World”.
Since the commencement of works on April 1, 2023, the Rotary Club of Georgetown has been able to do several major repairs including a complete restoration of the exterior walls, repairing of multiple sections of the ceilings, repairing and eradication of roof leaks, replacement of windows, restoration of a vital bathroom section, the full restoration of the kitchen and flooring. The Club hopes to restore the home in its entirety and continue work with the Red Cross to make it self-sustaining.
President Ali, in a handing over ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, complimented the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s efforts and pledged additional support of mattresses and other items to help restore the home.
He also made additional contributions to the home to restore the fence and other environs. He also restated his unwavering commitment to other community outreach projects, such as the promotion of mental health programmes, and pledged to partner with the Rotary Club of Georgetown and other service organisations to address community needs. Also present at the handing over ceremony were Rotary Club members Devindra Kissoon, Natasha Vieira, Ryan Kirton, Gautam Thani, Victor Pires, Veerendra Bhagwandin, Wilmot Garnett, Sheldon Hazelwood, Dr Sara Singh and Maisa DaSilva.
The Rotary Club of Georgetown’s President, Devindra Kissoon, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, extended his sincere gratitude to President Ali and other donors who contributed to this project. He noted that the Board of Directors secured a generous donation of $15.7 million from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He also complemented the efforts of past President Sheldon Hazelwood and the Board in taking the initiative to undertake this significant project, as well as Red Cross’ General Secretary Dorothy Fraser for working closely with the Club.
The Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home holds a special place in the hearts of many, serving as a haven for children recovering from malnourishment, abuse, and neglect.
