My first 20 years of my life were in Westmoreland, Jamaica. I migrated to the U.S.A. a month or so after Hurricane Gilbert. It was a scary time, but it was nothing compared to what has just happened in Westmoreland. Hurricane Melissa has transformed the green lush and landscape. It has taken many roofs and flattened many homes. Those can be rebuilt, but what cannot is life when people have a lack of resources and are hungry.

I return every year to visit my ancestral home of five generations. It was originally the home of Whithorn Bakery where my grandparents baked bread for Westmoreland. My mother, Hyacinth Turner-Chin, former Ms. Westmoreland (known fondly as Ms. Chin), still lives there, but is currently in the U.S. undergoing treatment for a terminal illness. She prays to spend her last days there.

When home, she feeds the town and since she can't interrupt her treatment, she has asked her two remaining children to do what she cannot. Growing up, I clearly remember my mom giving away up to 50 meals a day. She made a makeshift fridge in the sand with an old-time icebox. There is nothing she loves more than Jamaica and her people.

I will be leaving for Jamaica in two weeks and plan to help our small town because they will not get the help they need for a long time. Please, donate what you can and know that we will keep you updated on where every cent is going. This is for people of Whithorn, Westmoreland, Jamaica to eat, to be clothed, and to rebuild. Thank you for your support and endless prayers.