~To assess needs of fire victims; donates water, bread~
The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation joined by All Children’s Education (ACE) Foundation school on Tuesday reached out to the victims of the devastating fire that completely destroyed a number of homes at Wesley Lane, Cole Bay early Sunday morning.
Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung along with a group of six ACE pupils, ACE Director Claire Elshot and a volunteer visited the fire site on Monday to conduct an assessment of the needs of the families who were displaced by the inferno to see how the foundation can assist.
The Foundation provided an immediate relief of 20 cases of water and bread for fire victims and will be exploring how it can further assist the families.
The visit was particularly sad for the school and pupils because one of the youngsters displaced by the fire attends ACE. The visit to the fire site was an eye opener for pupils who witnessed first-hand the destruction that a fire can cause as they looked at the remains of razed computers, stoves, gas bottles and the debris scattered on the site.
Following the visit to the fire site; the group visited the St. Maarten Red Cross Foundation; where some of the fire victims had been taken for a meeting. At this location; ACE pupils got to meet their classmate who was affected by the fire.
ACE pupils helped to collect data from families, which will be used to help Tzu Chi compile a plan-of-action as to how it will further assist fire victims.
It has been reported that an estimated 100 persons were left homeless as a result of the fire of unknown origin. The area destroyed by fire contained homes constructed with T1-11 plywood and zinc sheets.