In the aftermath of Hurricane Mellissa, I feel compelled to support family and friends who are recovering from what has been described as the worst hurricane the country has ever experienced. News and images describing the damage continue to come in, and they are heartbreaking.

To be clear, some areas were spared the worst and have returned to normalcy. However, in other areas, particularly on the western side of the island, the devastation is severe. People have lost homes and businesses and are struggling to rebuild. In Amity—a town where I spent much of my childhood—there is still no electricity. As difficult as it is to imagine, I was informed that power is not expected to be fully restored for at least another month. This critically impacts food storage and safety.

Communication remains difficult as phone lines in certain areas are still in disrepair. Homes have been ravaged; many families, including my own, are currently living under damaged or completely destroyed roofs. If you are familiar with life on the islands, you understand that logistical challenges often cause relief efforts to move slowly.

I know the country will recover because the people possess incredible resilience and respect hard work. However, they need immediate help to bridge the gap. I am reaching out to my community here to help my friends and family in Jamaica. Funds raised will go directly toward purchasing urgent roofing supplies, renovation, and to providing cleanup support.

Thank you for supporting.

Sincerely,

Dwayne Wedderburn