Shenee, Shanel and several families from Gidy Hall

- St Elizabeth lost everything — now they need us to help them start again.

My name is Marsha Antonio, one of the directors of Jamaica Holiday Rental Ltd, an affiliate of Stay Caribbean Ltd, a company dedicated to providing exceptional travel services across Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Today, I’m using my platform and reaching out not as a business professional, but as a simple Jamaican aunt, and a member of a hurting community. We are organising this fundraiser on behalf of my nieces: Shenee Forrester, a devoted mother of five, and Shanel Smith, a loving mother of two — along with several other families from Giddy Hall, St. Elizabeth, who have lost everything in the devastating wake of Hurricane Melissa.

When the hurricane struck, terror swept through the small farming community of Giddy Hall. Winds howled, tearing roofs from homes and flattening fields that once fed families.

Shenee clung to her children as the walls of their home trembled. Her youngest toddler screamed as rain and debris poured in. Through the chaos, they watched helplessly as their neighbour’s roof was ripped away — and moments later, their own roof vanished into the storm.

A few houses away, Shanel held her two children close, whispering prayers for safety as her home cracked and crumbled around them.

When the winds finally calmed, the once vibrant community of Giddy Hall lay in ruins. For 36 long, terrifying hours, these families were stranded — no food, no water, no shelter, and no way to call for help. Roads were blocked, power was gone, and hope faded with each hour that passed.

When help finally arrived, they were exhausted, drenched, and traumatized — but grateful to still be alive.

Weeks later, many families in Giddy Hall remain displaced. They have received little to no aid, and are still without proper shelter, clothing, or stability. The children cry at night, haunted by the memory of the storm that took their homes and sense of safety.

We are appealing to your kindness and compassion to help these families start again — to rebuild their homes, restore dignity, and bring comfort to their children.

A small donation of $7 / £5 can help make a real difference.

Your donations will go directly toward:

• Rebuilding or repairing damaged homes

• Providing temporary shelter, food, clothing, and basic necessities

• Replacing lost school supplies so children can return to class

• Offering trauma and emotional support for families in distress

No amount is too small. Every contribution — every share — brings them one step closer to safety, stability, and hope.

Please share this campaign with your friends, family, and communities. Together, we can help Shenee, Shanel, and the resilient families of Giddy Hall rebuild their lives from the ground up.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your compassion, prayers, and generosity.

With gratitude,

Marsha Antonio

Jamaica Holiday Rental Ltd

Affiliate of Stay Caribbean Ltd