Born and raised in Jamaica, Karla King is a visual artist and founder of the Ackee Seed Foundation based in the Netherlands. Along with organizing a fundraising art auction, this GoFundMe was launched to help provide direct hurricane relief for rural communities in Jamaica

Your donations will directly benefit the local community. Anything helps, but:

Though partnerships with Karla King’s former Primary School, relief and recovery efforts will first begin in the parish of Trelawny (where the artist originates) and move outwards to the wider affected areas.

How Your Support Helps

Your support ensures that help reaches the people who need it most, directly and without delay. Funds will be distributed through trusted, verified contacts on the ground who personally know the affected families and their needs, including the governing body of the artist’s former local Primary School.

Why We Need Your Help

More than 1.5 million Jamaicans were affected by the rage of the unprecedented Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. While government agencies and major charities are working tirelessly, many rural communities remain cut off, without power, clean water, or consistent access to supplies. This is especially the case for communities in western Jamaica that were directly affected, including the parish where I’m from, Trelawny. Watching the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa from thousands of miles away has been heartbreaking. Combining art and advocacy, the Ackee Seed initiative is determined to get all the support possible can to help the country’s recovery.

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference.

About the Fundraising Event

Art Auction: The Art of Returning

Date: December 13, 2024

Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Location: Utrechter, Vredenburg 40, Utrecht, Netherlands

Doors open at 18:00.

Auction begins at 22:00.

Get your tickets at karlaking.com

This is the first step in a long-term commitment to support relief efforts on the ground and resilience in Jamaica.

About Ackee Seed

Project Ackee Seed was created by visual artist Karla King as the first step toward establishing the full Ackee Seed Foundation in the Netherlands. Because the need for relief is urgent, the project will operate in place of the foundation until its official launch by early 2026.

The purpose of Ackee Seed is simple:

To provide reliable, community-centred support for Jamaica, beginning with hurricane relief and expanding into long-term initiatives that strengthen resilience, access, and opportunities.

A small team will be travelling to Trelawny in early 2026 to deliver supplies and financial support directly. This trip will be self-funded and includes 2-3 members of the governing board of the NGO. The main goal is to strengthen relationships with trusted partners and assist with the necessary developments and distribution of aid and supplies. It is also necessary for us to establish new partnerships and conduct research-based assessments to identify the areas our organisation can contribute most effectively towards the long-term recovery plan.

How You Can Help

1. Donate: Every contribution, big or small, goes directly toward relief and rebuilding efforts.

2. Share this campaign: Your network can help expand the reach of this initiative and bring more support to Jamaica.

3. Follow for updates: We’ll share regular updates so you can see exactly how your support is being used on the ground.

Transparency Commitment

We are committed to operating with full transparency. Every stage -from collection to distribution - will be documented through photos, videos, and written updates here on GoFundMe and across our social platforms.

This initiative is rooted in trust, clarity, and accountability.

Together, we can help bring light back to Jamaica. One act of kindness at a time.

For more information, complete the contact form or inquire via Instagram

Instagram: karlaking____