Hello everyone,

My name is Lalesa, a Jamaican living in Colorado. I’m coming to you with a heavy heart. As many of you may know, a Category 5 hurricane, Melissa, is currently devastating the island of Jamaica. The community I grew up in, Peggy Barry District in Grange Hill in the parish of Westmoreland, was completely wiped out. Most homes have been destroyed. 

This is one of the poorer communities across Jamaica, where many families live in board houses not built to withstand strong winds or flooding. The community has around 300 residents, most of whom are elderly with limited to no resources. Early reports show that much of the community’s infrastructure has been wiped out, leaving families displaced and in urgent need of help. 

I’m raising funds to help rebuild my community and restore residents’ dignity. I’ll be travelling to Jamaica to personally distribute aid and assist with rebuilding efforts. Support will be provided through cash grants, vouchers, personal care packages, and food supplies.

Please consider donating whatever you can. If you’re not in a position to give financially, your prayers, shares, and kind thoughts are deeply appreciated.

Thank you for standing with the people of Peggy Barry District as we rebuild not just homes, but hope.

How are you related to the person(s) you are raising funds for?

Most are my family, including my mother and father, as this is the community that I was born and raised in. The others are community members I have known all my life. Peggy Barry District helped shape me, and I feel a deep responsibility to give back and help during this devastating time.

What is your transfer plan to get the funds from your GoFundMe to the intended recipient(s)?

Funds will be transferred to Jamaica using trusted money transfer organizations such as MoneyGram and Western Union. I am also partnering with the Peggy Barry Wesleyan Holiness Church to ensure that aid reaches families directly and transparently.

How will the funds be spent?

The money will be given to individuals to assist with rebuilding their homes. Care packages containing food and personal supplies will be donated to families, especially those with children and elderly residents. Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping my community recover and rebuild with dignity.

With gratitude,

Lalesa