Hi, I’m Jhanelle Francis, from Black River, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. I’m reaching out with a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit. Our hometown—once a charming seaside community filled with fishermen, laughter, and the scent of salt in the air—has been devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

My family lost everything. Our roof was torn off, and all our belongings—furniture, clothing, and appliances—were destroyed or washed away. What was once our safe haven is now unrecognizable.

Black River’s historic streets, which once told the stories of generations before us, now lie in ruins. We are left homeless, hungry, and heartbroken, but not hopeless. Hurricane Melissa may have taken our possessions, but she did not take our spirit, our memories, or the love that binds this community together.

I’m asking for your help to rebuild my family home—a small step toward restoring what was lost, not just for us, but for the heart of our community. With your support, we can recover, rebuild, and reunite as we bring life back to the place we proudly call home.

I will be using the funds to remove debris, replace our roof and broken/damaged windows. Re-tile and replace doors and grill as well as replace our front wall and gate.

Thank you for reading and for any help you can offer. My parents, Paul & Debbie, and I would be forever grateful for your help.