Rebuilding Jamaica: Hope After Hurricane Melissa

Hi,

My name is Duane Herbert from United Kingdom. Following the recent catastrophe from Hurricane Melissa & the damage it has left behind, which will take months for some and years for others to recover from.

If I am totally honest I’m not sure what response I’m expecting from setting up this fundraiser but I wanted to see if I could make the impossible possible by making a difference to families suffering in Jamaica.

A lot of homes & livelihoods have been completely wiped out and if I am able to make a difference to at least 20 family households it would be a small contribution to remind them that they are not alone.

I recently visited the Island in September this year and returned back to the UK at the beginning of October. I was deeply touched by the island’s beauty — not just its beautiful landscapes and vibrant culture, but the warmth, kindness, generosity and spirit of the Jamaican people, the same energy I have witnessed all over the Caribbean.

Seeing the devastation left behind by the recent hurricane has truly broken my heart. So many families have lost everything — their homes, their businesses, and their sense of security.

Although I’m not Jamaican by heritage, I feel a strong connection to the islands of the Caribbean and the local communities that reside in what I call paradise.

I can’t just watch from afar while so many families are struggling to rebuild their lives. That’s why I’m starting this fundraiser — to help Jamaica recover, rebuild, and rise again, stronger than ever.

My goal is to provide:

Most importantly to provide Essential necessities — food, water, hygiene items, nappies, and basic supplies for families in urgent need.

Rebuilding support — helping restore homes and local shops that were damaged or destroyed.

Volunteer support — If this fundraiser is successful & when land is able to be accessed I would love to travel back to Jamaica during this disastrous time not for a vacation but to roll up my sleeves and dedicate time to hands-on relief efforts and give back to the communities that are in need of it most to REBUILD following the natural disaster they have experienced.

At a time when there was nothing anyone could do apart from let the hurricane do its worst, I feel it is time to STEP UP and help as best as I can but in order to do the above it has to be a collective team effort.

One thing that stuck with me from my time in Jamaica is community spirit, togetherness & One Love !

Every donation, no matter how small, will help provide resources, ease of pressure and hope to those who need it most especially with Christmas round the corner.

Together, we can help bring back the spirit and strength that make Jamaica so special.

Let’s show that kindness and community have no borders. Let’s help Jamaica shine again.

Thank you for your support — every share, donation, and word of encouragement means the world.