My name is Osric, and my sister Janelle and I are fundraising for our parents, grandparents, and other family members in Bethel Town, Westmoreland and Bickersteth, St. James, Jamaica, as they work to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. I was born and raised in Jamaica and most of my family still resides there.

We feel humbled to ask for help, but the level of destruction is far beyond what our family can manage alone. Hurricane Melissa was the most powerful hurricane ever recorded, and it caused catastrophic damage across multiple parishes — including St. James and Westmoreland, where our family lives. After six long days without contact, we finally confirmed that our parents and grandparents are safe.

However, the damage to their homes and belongings has been severe. All of their homes suffered major structural damage, with roofs destroyed, walls compromised, and most furniture and personal belongings lost. Power, cell, and internet service remain limited across many rural communities, and we are still assessing the impact on other family members in the area who we have not yet been able to reach.

In Jamaica, most families in rural areas do not have access to homeowners’ insurance, which means repairs and recovery must be covered entirely out of pocket. These repairs are especially urgent, as these regions receive heavy rainfall year-round, and we are still in the midst of hurricane season.

How Funds Will Be Used:

We calculated our goal based on the current damage assessments to our grandparents’, aunts’, and parents’ homes:

Every contribution will go directly toward making their homes safe to live in again and replacing essential household items. No amount is too small and your support will help our family and community recover one step at a time.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us rebuild after this historic hurricane.

Osric and Janelle