Standing Together for Jamaica: Rebuilding After Hurricane Melissa

Images of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, and St. Elizabeth Technical High School

This past week, our hearts have been heavy as we watched the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa across Jamaica. The storm, one of the most intense on record for the island, made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane, unleashing catastrophic winds, flooding, and widespread destruction. In places like St. Elizabeth Parish and towns such as Black River, entire buildings have collapsed, roofs have been torn off, and communities are grappling with unimaginable loss.

For me, this tragedy strikes deeply on a personal level. Both of my parents were born and raised in St. Elizabeth, and I still have family there today. Watching images of the very towns my family and I once walked through, now devastated by flooding and debris, has been heartbreaking. As someone of Jamaican ancestry, this isn’t just about a distant disaster; it’s about home, heritage, and people I love. My heart aches for every family, every child, and every community member facing the aftermath.

For my nonprofit, which is dedicated to supporting girls’ education in Jamaica, this moment feels especially heavy. One of our sponsored students, Kamoya, attends St. Elizabeth Technical High School, which was severely damaged by the storm.

A Message of Solidarity and Compassion

• To the families, students, and educators in Jamaica, our hearts are with you. We see your resilience, your strength, and your determination. Even in the face of devastation, you keep moving forward, and that inspires us. We are here to stand with you, to walk beside you, and to help rebuild what has been lost.

  
  

• To our donors and supporters, now is the time to deepen our commitment. The physical damage is only part of the story. Emotional, social, and educational support matter too. By working together, we can help rebuild not just roofs and walls, but hope, opportunity, and the dreams of the families we serve.

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How We’re Responding

Our nonprofit is expanding its mission in this moment of crisis to support families, schools, and communities across St. Elizabeth and Black River. Here’s how we’re taking action:

• Mobilizing emergency relief funds to help rebuild homes, schools, and community centers, replacing roofs, repairing classrooms, and restoring access to clean water and safe sanitation.

  
  

• Providing direct support to affected families, including emergency supplies, food assistance, and help with temporary shelter.

  
  

• Working with trusted local partners in Jamaica to assess urgent needs and ensure that aid reaches those most impacted.

  
  

• Supporting students and teachers whose schools have been damaged, helping them continue learning and working safely, whether in person or remotely.

If you are able, please consider making an emergency contribution. Every dollar goes directly to the Jamaican families, schools, and communities. Even sharing this post helps amplify their voices and connect more people to their cause.

Let us stand together in solidarity and prayer. Let’s ensure that every family, every student, and every community member in St. Elizabeth and across Jamaica feels supported, seen, and surrounded by care. From my heart to yours, and from my family in St. Elizabeth to all those rebuilding across Jamaica, we are with you. Together, we can help Jamaica rise again.

One love 💛🇯🇲

-Danielle Parchment (CEO and Founder)