In October 2025, Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, leaving behind a trail of unimaginable devastation, including the complete loss of my grandmother Vilda James’s home in Lambs River, Westmoreland.

Vilda is 89 years old, full of life, laughter, and a little sass. She’s the heart of our family, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who has spent her life caring for others. She loves to cook (especially curry chicken and Rundung), has an unshakable sweet tooth for Life Savers and sweet mints, and always lights up when her family comes to visit.

She’s lived in Lambs River nearly her entire life. Years ago, when the roads to their old home became unsafe, her church helped her and her late husband, Lloyd, move to a new home and rebuild their life. Sadly, that same home, along with the nearby church, has now been completely destroyed by Hurricane Melissa.

Everything she owned, clothes, furniture, family photos, and important documents, has been lost. We are so grateful that she and my uncle survived and were found taking shelter in a nearby school. But the reality is that she has nowhere to return to.

Other relatives have also suffered from severe flooding, and some we have not yet been able to reach since the storm. The damage to our family’s homes and livelihoods is still being assessed.

What This Fund Will Do:

I am organizing this fundraiser to rebuild hope for my grandmother and family.

Funds raised will go toward:

Purchasing land and building a small, safe home for my grandmother, where she can live comfortably and independently.

Ensuring her new home is accessible to family and secure against future storms.

Helping other relatives affected by Hurricane Melissa with essential supplies: food, clothing, materials for repairs, and other immediate needs.

Covering GoFundMe processing fees and any costs associated with transferring aid to Jamaica.

Our goal is to raise $60,000 USD to rebuild her home and provide recovery support for our family. Every dollar, share, and prayer makes a difference.

My name is Ashleigh Stewart, and I’m Vilda’s granddaughter. My mom, Janise, is Vilda's youngest child, and we live in New York. Though we can’t be in Jamaica right now, my heart is there. My grandmother’s home has always been a second home to me, filled with the smell of her cooking, the sound of goats and chickens in the yard, and her warm laughter.

Knowing that it all has been washed away in one day is devastating. But with love and community, we can help her rebuild not just a house, but a home full of comfort, safety, and joy again.

To everyone who donates, shares, or keeps our family in your thoughts, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness is helping us rebuild something priceless: hope, dignity, and the sense of home my grandmother deserves.

Even a small contribution goes a long way in Jamaica, and every act of support brings us closer to getting Mama Vilda settled again.

Thank you for your generosity, compassion, and prayers.

— With love and gratitude, Ashleigh and Family