MUIRTON PEN, Portland — French Ambassador to Jamaica Ginette de Matha Monday afternoon donated $1 million to Muirton Boys' Home which was damaged during the passage of Hurricane Sandy three weeks ago.

The facility, which accommodates 30 boys in the residential home, suffered damage to the roof and windows of the main dormitory, the house mothers' quarters, the outdoor bathrooms and toilets, and the living room ceiling.

In making the presentation, Ambassador de Matha said "We have decided to provide some emergency help to your country, together with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM). We have decided to help in priority schools and children's home which have been damaged by the hurricane.

"We came to give some help in the form of a letter of intention that means we are today giving $1 million to the Muirton home for boys and we will channel this money through the ODPEM. We want to be sure that it will be dedicated to this home," she said.

The donation is part of a package totalling 50,000 euros (over $5.7 million) which the French government is extending as emergency humanitarian aid to Jamaica. Last Friday the embassy made a donation to the Old Pera school in St Thomas, and this afternoon, it is expected to hand over another sum to Dr Marion Ducasse of the Ministry of Health to assist with vector control in relation to the dengue disease.

"We are happy that someone has the thought to help the boys at Muirton," said Norma Hill, north-east regional director at th Child Development Agency upon receiving the letter of intent. "The officers from the Child Development Agency in Kingston will guide us through the process of having it repaired and done so that you will be proud of us. On behalf of my CEO and CDA family, we really appreciate it and we thank you for coming".