My name is Shanice, and I was born and raised in Westmoreland, Jamaica. I now live in the United States, but my immediate family—including my parents and siblings —are still in Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa has devastated their community. I have not been able to reach them directly, but I know the damage is severe. The local electricity company has already stated that there will be no power for at least 2–3 weeks, which is life-threatening for my younger sister who has type 1 diabetes and needs insulin every single day. Without refrigeration, her medication could spoil.

On top of this, my mother’s home has been completely destroyed, leaving her without shelter. Rebuilding will take time, and I want to at least help her start again while also covering urgent needs.

I am raising funds to:

• Provide my sister with insulin and a battery-powered portable cooler to safely store it during the blackout

• Cover basic necessities like food and clean water for my family

• Purchase urgent medical supplies

• Begin to rebuild my mother’s home after this disaster

The photos I’ve shared are not taken by me personally, but they reflect the devastation in their community.

This is one of the hardest and most vulnerable moments of my life, but I am reaching out with hope. Any support, no matter how small, will help my family survive and begin to rebuild. Thank you for standing with me.