Hello, Global Community! I am writing (not using AI) to you today from Coopers Pen, Trelawny, Jamaica, where category 5 hurricane Mellissa ripped across the island. I was invited here by a local man that I met in my travels, and invited me to his childhood home to reboot the sport of kitesurfing on the nearby beach of Bounty Bay. I have been staying with his family in Coopers Pen for the past few months and teaching the them how to fly kites. The end goal is to scout for a Jamaican Olympic Kiteboarding Team.

About me: I am a global citizen holding a Canadian passport and I have been traveling for 5 years. I have held many jobs in my life but the experience that would shine in this disaster is building/construction, design and leadership. I know for a fact that if properly resourced, myself and the community can build shelter for those that lost everything. I have been going to Burning Man for over a decade, so I have experience with catastrophic wind damage. Happens evey year! Hurricane Mellissa was the most powerful storm that I have ever experienced, and as a Burner, that's saying something!

About the community

After the storm passed, we awoke to complete devastation. Many houses in the community lost their roofs, and many were completely erased. All of the little shops in the markets which drive the local economy were destroyed. Power lines have been decimated for 50 miles in every direction, and our community has been without water since the storm passed.

Given the severe impact of the storm on this beautiful little community, I am humbly reaching out for support. In the immediate term, we are looking to acquire generators, tools, and building materials. I have met with the father of the community, and there are currently four elderly people requiring shelter. My initial estimation for a single shelter is $ 1500 USDinclusive of labor. In the longer term, food and water may be required due to the agricultural impact on the island

I have lived in many places around the world, and one thing I can say for sure is that the Jamaicans are some of the most welcoming people that I have ever encountered. I am the ONLY white person living in the community, and I can walk down the street getting fist bumps all day. The heart of the culture is filled with love and deeply rooted in community. So I ask you!!! Dig deep within YOUR heart and help these beautiful people get back on their feet.

https://youtube.com/@rogersmith8229?si=vFhVRHLCJ4q_cqKy