My name is Samantha Simms: https://www.samanthasimmsesq.com

If you know me, you know how deeply I love Jamaica. It is my home, my heart, and the place that inspires my work every day. But right now, my beautiful island is crying.

This Gofundme is for my friends and colleagues who want to help Jamaica to restore to her full vitality, but may not know how to contribute or who to trust your contribution with.

Hurricane Melissa came and danced with us in quite the wrong way. What she left behind is devastation unlike anything we have seen before. Entire communities have been torn apart. Families have lost homes, possessions, access to clean water, and any degree of certainty. The images you see in the press may be sensational, but they reflect a painful truth — our people are suffering, and the need is urgent.

While aid is being mobilised, the reality on the ground is that help is not reaching everyone. Jamaica’s mountainous landscape means that small, rural villages tucked away in valleys and hillsides are often cut off. These are the harder-to-reach communities, and they risk being forgotten.

During times like these, it can be difficult to know who to donate to or where your contribution will have the most impact. That is why I am trying to ease the pain by collecting your donations and distributing them through trusted local groups led by people who I know, and to others putting together care packages. I will ensure that funds are directed where they are needed most, based on real needs on the ground. Together, we can make sure that help reaches those who need it and that our communities can begin to build back stronger.

Funds will be used to provide:

• Clean water and mosquito repellent for parishes battling heat and stagnant water

• Sanitary products and toiletries for women and girls

• Infant formula and baby supplies for families with young children

• Tarpaulin and basic construction materials to help families create safe, habitable spaces

• Bin bags and plastic storage boxes to protect what little people have left

• Gas for generators to restore light and connectivity in cut-off areas

• Donations to animal charities to maintain the wellbeing of our pets and protect Jamaica’s precious wildlife

• Support for husbandry organisations to assist farmers caring for livestock

• Contributions to agricultural organisations to help farmers replant and get us back to eating our wonderful local produce

• Whatever else is urgently needed as the situation evolves on the ground

Every contribution, no matter how small, will help restore dignity, stability, and hope to someone who has lost almost everything.

Jamaica is strong, and our spirit is unbreakable. But rebuilding takes all of us — near and far. Together, we can help Jamaica build back stronger.

If you can, please give. If you cannot give, please share.

Best,

Samantha