I'm Donisha Prendergast, a Jamaican filmmaker, activist and founder of non-profit Humanity Ova Vanity. I've been doing grassroots advocacy and community building for the past 15 years plus. I believe that One Love is Action.
Recently Jamaica got hit by a category 5 Hurricane and is presently in distress. In response, myself and a collective of artists and grassroots organizations are aligning to use our platforms to centralize efforts and coordinate hands and hearts to assist in the Emergency Relief efforts on the ground.
So far, we have identified 2 communities to start with in Westmoreland to give direct support to on a grassroots level. Petersfield and Bath District.
I have some experience in emergency disaster response and relief, including on location support immediately after:
- Fukushima & Ishinomaki, Japan (2011) Tsunami and Earthquake,
- Long Island - Hurricane Sandy (2014)
- Haiti - Hurricane Matthew (2016)
- Bahamas - Hurricane Dorian (2019)
Our aim is to connect with grassroots organizers and community leaders to strategize and support their efforts to directly impact immediate needs. It will not easy. There will be nothing cute about it. Lots has been lost and it is devastating to witness. But there are ways we can save lives and ease the distress.
This is will a long term initiative to help residents of both communities to recover. At this time, we are aligning with various partners locally and globally to strengthen and solidify efforts.
These photos were taken by photographer Adrian McDonald who is presently living in the community and leading recovery efforts and assessment to inform our response.
Petersfield, Westmoreland
Adrian McDonald, more poularly known as LexonArt is a phenomenally talented photographer from Petersfield, Westmoreland in Jamaica, one of the communities that has been devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Adrian is on the ground and exhausting every effort to support his community, but is overwhelmed. They are in desperate need of volunteer support and tools to clear debris, support elderly people, Mothers with young children who and injured individuals who need immediate medical attention.
Adrian has been documenting and sharing on his instagram, where you can see first hand what he is experiencing. His work is recognized globally for his authentic yet magical visual aesthetic. But it is his humanity to find the space in between to share a glimpse into these exquisite experiences between humans and the Earth.
Savanna-La-Mar & Bath District
Sevana grew up in Savanna-La-mar. Her mother and brother presently still live in the area where roads are impassable and there is zero cell service and electricity. The community has been decimated. Most of the houses have been destroyed at this time and people have lost everything. Once we arrive on the ground, the will team assess, document and coordinate the most efficient response based on needs.
PHASE ONE- Collections & Coordinated Emergency Relief
Volunteers will spend 2 days on site in Bath District & Petersfield on Sat Nov 1st :
- Clearing Debris
- Disbursing Aid & Medical Support
- Providing Communication & Wellness Check-ins
- Providing Hot cooked meals
- Assessing the damage to create a basic census for the community
- Creating a Community Database for relief
We will make a secondary trip on Thursday November 6th to disburse further aid and offer support.
PHASE TWO
We will continue to update this space regularly as best as possible.
We have identified a list of items needed below.. We are also raising funds to purchase items locally and support emergency relief efforts.
Follow @lexonart, @iamdonisha, @callmesevana, @dsejamaica @facesoftivoligardens for updates
FYI
Typically, after disaster, lots of foreign aid is sent to the country in need. Though, it is with the best intent, it drowns the local marketplace. Try as best as possible to purchase items locally.Disaster Relief demands Human Resource as a collective community action. Volunteerism is an essential service within this time.
DROP OFF LOCATIONS in Jamaica, USA and Canada.
JAMAICA
*Itopia Life
10A West Kings House Road
Kingston 6
*TruSelf Center
12 Roselle Ave
Kingston 6
KNOXVILLE, TN
*Bountiful Blessings
3835 Catalpa Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37914
(Open: Mon - Fri at 7am -5pm)
*Dulcie's Cafe
703 N Cherry Street
Knoxville, TN 37914
( Open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm)
MIAMI, FL
MegaLit Fitness
3223 NE 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33137
( Open Mon - Sat 10am - 8pm)
NEW YORK
*Jah Son Juice Wurl
14363 243rd Street
Rosedale, NY 11422
