Help rebuild destroyed homes - Hurricane Beryl

Update: The situation in St Elizabeth continues to be a challenge for the families living there. They still do not have electricity and communication is still very difficult. Help is slowly trickling in. 

https://jamaica.loopnews.com/content/massy-provides-essential-relief-st-elizabeth-post-hurricane-beryl https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20240726/over-25000-jps-customers-still-without-power-several-cell-sites-remain-out

 Please pray for them as they face the challenges ahead. 

We continue to fundraise for the families of Round Hill St Elizabeth Jamaica. 

Please share this fundraiser with your family and friends.

Hello, my name is Jean. I'm from London England. I just returned from an amazing trip to Jamaica with my husband Michael. We would still have been in Jamaica if we didn't have to return to London because of another matter. We would have been caught in the hurricane too..!

Michael is from Round Hill, St Elizabeth. He has fond memories of growing up in Round Hill and playing cricket with his brothers and the Stephensons (who were also like brothers/sisters to him.)

We had a fantastic time touring the island, especially Round Hill St Elizabeth where he grew up. But that was before Hurricane Beryl destroyed the very homes we visited.

Hurricane Beryl struck Jamaica after hitting Grenada and devastating Carricou and many other Grenadine islands. Winds of up to 140mph ripped off the entire roof of their houses allowing the rain to pour in for several days destroying their furniture and belongings.

Due to this extensive damage to the region, there is no water, no electricity, no internet and limited phone communication. These essential services will not be restored until possibly mid-August.

So far 8 people have died including 3 who died in Jamaica. Thank God the governments and peoples of the islands made excellent preparations before the hurricane stuck or the death toll may have been higher. Having said that each death is a loss for their families and is tragic.

The Round Hill community are very resilient. They have had to move into the one house that has had the least damage. They are trying to look after each other, including elderly bed-bound relatives, and young people with special needs.

Having experienced Hurricane Andrew on a visit with my son to my sister, nieces and nephews and our wider family in Fort Lauderdale Florida in 1992, I know what a terrifying experience it is. Thank God there was no damage to their homes even though other houses in that area were damaged. I was lucky. I was able to go home to London, England.

However, now the people of Round Hill have to rebuild their lives, starting with rebuilding their homes. Can you help them?

Round Hill, St Elizabeth is a farming community. They produce crops for the people of Jamaica.

They grow scallion, onion, melons and a whole range of other crops. St Elizabeth is known as the ‘Breadbasket of Jamaica. However, the hurricane has also destroyed their crops. This is their sole income.

Please help them..!

The money collected will be used to buy essentials that they need to survive.

Firstly, they must buy water. Water is not piped into this area and there are no rivers nearby. They must buy water. However, as they have no income they need some emergency financial support now..!

Next, there is still no electricity and as the whole island's electrical infrastructure has been compromised, electricity in. the cities and tourist areas will be prioritised. Therefore they will need a generator to power a fridge to keep their food cold and stop it from spoiling.

In addition, they will also need a supply of emergency food that does not need to be cooked. Their crops and fruit trees have been destroyed so they will need fruit and vegetables.

They will also need building materials to rebuild their homes but also to build so that the houses can withstand future hurricanes. They will need wood, roof tiles, nails, cement and other roof-building materials.

Please help them.

Donate as much or as little as you can spare. As the Jamaican saying goes

‘Every mickle makes a muckle’ - A lot of small amounts, put together, become a large amount.

Give what you can.

Thank you