On July 3, 2024 Hurricane Beryl pummelled Jamaica’s south coast and forever changed the face of St Elizabeth. Since the storm our communities are still shell-shocked and urgently working to restore normalcy. Electricity is still down, cell phone towers destroyed & farm crops have been ravaged.

The WARE Collective has been planting seeds in the parish of St Elizabeth for 5 years. We have created community murals, run summer camps for children, hosted heritage events and showcased a film on the parish’s historic homes and beauty. Unfortunately, our Living Museum project experienced massive damage and losses to our historic buildings.

Though the road to recovery will be long, we believe we can only rebuild when we work together. So in the face of devastation, our group’s first priority is to support our neighbours, friends and colleagues in restoring their everyday lives, needs and livelihoods. Especially farmers and labourers, like our apprentices, Marsha, Blade, Vincent and Bally, who will miss a harvest this year, lose income and need help repairing their homes.

We won’t be demoralized by the destruction and though yesterday was rough, and today will be hard we find strength in solidarity for tomorrow. The Living Museum project is very much alive and we are learning the lessons from Hurricane Beryl and plan to build back better with our masterbuilder, Guy Parchment and our collaborators.

Thank you, if you have donated to the WARE Collective before your generosity has been priceless and we welcome the big-hearted support of old and new friends. We'll fundraise until August 31, 2024 to provide help as soon as possible.

We plan to achieve the following with our fundraiser:-

• Distribute 70% of funds raised for those who need it most, with a special focus on our 4 WARE apprentices, and other families in need through our church, school and community group networks.

• Infuse well needed cash flow to small businesses such as the local hardware and farm supplies stores. This will purchase gift certificates which persons can use to get tarpaulins, roofing, fertilizer etc.

• Utilize the remaining 30% towards WARE’s rebuilding efforts, including the historic Vassell House

The WARE Collective Limited is a legally registered organisation with a track record for community development involvement in south St. Elizabeth since 2019.

Donations can also be accepted through The WARE Collective's Jamaica based bank accounts. For details please contact us at thewarecollective.com.

Photo credit: All images in video taken by Donnette Zacca