On October 28, Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm of the year, made landfall in Jamaica. After days of radio silence due to power outages, on November 3rd, I finally got word that my uncle and aunt, among other family members, were physically safe but emotionally devastated. Their house is fine, but they are left shell-shocked by the absolutely devastating damage done to their farm, where they raise chicken and cattle. About 75% of their daily sustenance is from what they cultivate or the livestock they raise. The rest of their diet consists of food that they buy using whatever little money they make from the farm. They also use that money for their other living expenses. They sold chicken and beef to the local high school, Old Harbour High. It's all wiped out. The cows were drowned or just gone. The chickens are gone. Even the chicken coop was blown away. The fruit trees were stripped down to their barks. The herbs and vegetables are gone. They have no water and just got electricity on Saturday night after it was disconnected almost a week before. It's bad. No, I didn't have the heart to ask for pictures and videos. It felt cruel to ask. But I have found that people in crisis often don't have the presence of mind to take pictures, so I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have any. Please consider donating what you can. Every little bit helps!

TLDR; I'm raising funds to be used toward the costs of repairs for my uncle and aunt's farm and for their continued expenses as they rebuild their lives in St. Catherine, Jamaica. Pictured is the last time I saw my family's farm almost 15 years ago.

If you'd like to contribute via payment app:

Cashapp - $guiltfreevacation

Venmo - @punkyd

DM for Paypal & Zelle