If you don’t already know, my name is Ian Pesch and I have spent many years going to Jamaica in the winter to vacation and have turned some of my vacation time into helping out dozens of Jamaicans in need.

Over the years, I’ve brought down and gifted many cell phones, laptops, shoes, clothing, tools, and numerous other items.

As you may have seen on my Facebook page, I have also funded and physically worked on the construction of several small wooden shelters, providing a clean and dry place as a home for the homeless. These are not much bigger than a garden shed but might as well have been a mansion to those who needed shelter.

During these times, I have made many dear friends and even been adopted by a Jamaican family or two as a family member.

I do have an adopted Jamaican mother (Miss Angie) who is 77 years old and calls me her son and my children her grandchildren when they come to visit.

So, as we all heard, on Oct 27, 2025, Hurricane Melissa smashed directly into the western part of the island of Jamaica with a direct hit!!

This wasn’t just a regular average hurricane; it was a category 5 and was registered with some of the strongest winds on record of 252 mph!!

Hurricane Melissa was in the top three hurricanes of all time in the Caribbean and definitely the worst hurricane to hit Jamaica on record. The loss of life and property is immense and beyond comprehension.

The timing of Hurricane Melissa was absolutely the worst, just a couple of days before the official tourist season began.

So many Jamaicans on the western side of the island where Melissa hit are 100% reliant on tourist money for survival.

Most of these people rely on making money over the short winter season when the tourists come down from November to March. So with Hurricane Melissa hitting in October, nobody made any money after the long summer break and any cash reserves were already exhausted.

To add insult to injury, Jamaica took an incredible financial hit during COVID and was just beginning to recover until Hurricane Beryl hit last year.

They just started getting back on their feet and then Melissa came! The mother of all hurricanes!

Everybody had damage and loss of property.

So, where are they today?

It’s been 29 days and power has still not been restored, food is in short supply, hyperinflation is starting to set in, money is gone AND NO TOURISM!!! Things are desperate!

So on this Thanksgiving, I have decided to start a fundraiser for my friends and family in need.

This is Miss Angie, my adopted stepmom.

She lost her entire little restaurant from the hurricane.

Again, it couldn’t have been worse timing as she had just buried her husband of 40 years a few weeks earlier at great expense, leaving her on the brink of financial bankruptcy.

As you can see from the photos, her little shop is nearly destroyed.

It is going to require major repairs estimated at $10,000.

This is Sheldon, my Jamaican brother.

He lost part of his roof and a couple of doors on his dwelling. Then, while it was open and he was gone, somebody stole his bed and his stove.

Sheldon’s repairs and stove replacement should be less than $2000.

Sheldon is the cook in mom’s restaurant and is currently without a job or source of income because the restaurant is smashed.

This is my good friend Trevor.

Trevor lost his roof and his car got damaged.

Trevor’s car is his livelihood and he relies heavily on tourism, giving tours throughout the island.

Trevor’s roof and car repairs should be about $1000.

Trevor is currently without income as well because there are no tourists.

This is Rasta Culture, my favorite Rasta.

You may have seen him last year in my videos, working on his house, pouring concrete floors, and other projects.

He lost his roof and replacement should be about $1000.

Culture also relies heavily on tourists for his survival.

So it looks like I’m trying to raise enough money to cover these repairs of about $14,000.

Additionally, nobody has any income right now for food or basic supplies, so I’m trying to raise an extra $4000 to keep everybody fed until power is restored and the tourists are coming again, hopefully by January but more likely February.

So on Thanksgiving weekend, while we’re all being so thankful for what we have, please think about my friends that are in need who are thankful for their lives but have lost so much.

Any size donation would be appreciated!!!

As an incentive, I will be matching the first $3500 in donations!!

I also will be keeping a Facebook video log of the rebuilding process for everyone to see.

I will be heading to Jamaica as soon as power is restored.

Thank you for your donation!