MANDEVILLE, Manchester — Babyland, the section of Hanbury Children’s Home in Kendal, Manchester dedicated for babies and toddlers, benefited from a well-deserved facelift on Labour Day.

Its 21 occupants, ranging from two months to five years old, now have improved toilet facilities and new doors, thanks to bauxite giant WINDALCO, which donated six toilets and seven doors.

Major Jennifer Brown, administrator of the home, said that the previous doors were rotting and that the hinges were coming off. She said insects such as lizards regularly entered the building and that the malfunctioning toilets resulted in excess water usage.

“It is now safer, more hygienic and comfortable for the children and staff there,” she said.

Community volunteers also bushed the road leading to the home on Labour Day and older children painted a section of their building using paint donated by Sherwin Williams.

As thankful as she was, however, Major Brown said the needs at Hanbury — operated jointly by the Salvation Army and the Child Development Agency — were great.

She noted that food and other supplies for the home’s 71 children come at a great cost. Additionally, work still needs to be done to further improve the bathrooms. Educational supplies, medical care and nutrition are also a concern for the home which houses children up to age 18.

Meanwhile, though rain affected activities across the parish, the mood of the volunteers was not dampened. An estimated 130 projects were recorded with the Manchester Parish Council and the Social Development Commission. The Mandeville town centre, which was the parish project, got a facelift.

Three pedestrian crossings were painted and the lawn in the Mandeville Park was cut and verges trimmed. The gazebo was tiled and a ramp to facilitate physically challenged persons erected.

Mayor Brenda Ramsay told the Jamaica Observer Central that rain prevented painting of two additional pedestrian crossings. It will be done at a later date, she said. The painting of the perimeter wall of the market was also put on hold.

Flow, Manchester Co-operative Credit Union, Top Loaf Bakery, Advantage General Insurance Company, the Kiwanis and Rotaract clubs, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Defence Force, the police and community personnel also played a part in the Labour Day effort.