Hi All! My name is Judith Johnson and I am a native of Jamaica living in the Florida, United States with many connections to Jamaica, with several family members and friends still residing there. I have never done a GoFundMe before, but this occasion certainly calls for it.

As the world knows, Jamaica was hit by the devastating Hurricane Melissa. After painstakingly trying to assess damages and needs of everyone I know on the island due to difficult communication access, my family and I decided this was the best way for us to raise the funds needed to aid in the rebuilding and recovery efforts. Many houses need rebuilding, some need new roofs, waterlines have been busted, and some have lost livestock and food trees, which is their livelihood. Many neighbors and friends have had to take in families who have become homeless due to the hurricane.

While many big organizations and countries are providing aid, our family thought it would be incumbent on us to help people we know directly as so many are in need. There are many families we will be helping with monies raised here as our roots are so deep.

We will also be purchasing barrels to send down with many essential food and clothing items as many lost everything they owned.

I would ask you to find it in your hearts to donate so that we can get our family and friends back on the road to rebuilding and recovery.