We are a team of cousins — children of Jamaica — living abroad who cannot stand by as our people suffer. We have come together to collect, pack, and ship 20 barrels of essential supplies to the most devastated communities in Jamaica.

The organizers of this initiative, Kacey and Kishana, are cousins, both 2nd generation Jamaicans, who can say, "Jamaica grow wi." Most of our childhood, we spent months in Jamaica, bathing in the river, playing with our cousins, telling anansi stories, learning good manners, and enjoying our traditional foods like patty, ackee and saltfish, jerk chicken and festival, dutty gyal and dumplin, and so much more. When it was time to return to the US, it was customary to open our suitcase and give most of our clothes and shoes away, and we would do this with joy because we understood that our family and friends there had less opportunities than we had. It was this principle of "giving back" that led many of the adults in our family to pack barrels throughout the year, to bless others back home. We've lived a life of giving, and it is this principle that we believe will help our people in this time of deep devastation and need.

Our Mission:

Collect supplies over 3 weeks

Pack on November 29-30, 2025

Ship from Boston to Jamaica on December 3, 2025

Distribute in December 2025

Each barrel will serve approximately 50 people, providing food, clothing, shoes, hygiene kits, and love.

Afterward, each empty barrel will be given to 20 families to help them safely store their belongings as they rebuild.

Cost of this Initiative:

Purchase 20 barrels = $1,335

Ship 20 barrels = $2,000

Average cost for 1,000 packs of underwear (all sizes & genders) = $12,000

Food & Hygiene products not provided by donations= use of remaining funds

Goal: $50,000: 20 barrels × 50 people per barrel = 1,000 lives touched

Of this amount, our family is covering $7,000, we are asking community to meet us half way by helping us to raise $7,000, and a portion will be sponsored.

Why?

On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica with winds of 185 miles (298 km) per hour — a rare and catastrophic Category 5 storm.

It was the strongest hurricane to strike the island in over 170 years of recorded history.

“There are entire communities that seem to be marooned and also areas that have been flattened. Jamaica is really broken.”

— Dana Morris Dixon, Information Minister

At least 28 precious lives have been lost, and the damage is estimated at over $8 billion USD — nearly one-third of Jamaica’s GDP.

Homes have been swept away, roads destroyed, and thousands of families are left without food, clothing, or shelter.

Who will be served?

Individuals living in 4 of the 6 parishes most devasted by Hurricane Melissa:

Please help us to do it. You may have seen several other campaigns about relief to Jamaica. None of this is a duplication. None is better than the other. All are needed. Over 500,000 Jamaicans are currently homeless and hungry after this storm. Please support us to deliver emergency relief and hope.

No donation is too small, even an amount of $1 is a valued contribution toward rebuilding Jamaica and the spirit of the Jamaican people.

In addition to monetary donations, we are collecting donation items. Click here for more information

With deep gratitude and nuff respect,

Kacey & Kishana