Campaign Description

My name is Brannon Chin, and I’m organizing this fundraiser to support the residents of Belmont, a small coastal community in Westmoreland, Jamaica, that was directly in the path of Hurricane Melissa’s eye. My family has been a part of the Belmont community for over 30 years. We have deep personal ties to the area and strong relationships with many of the residents. I have so many memories here since childhood and it saddens me to see the current physical state of the community.

Belmont is a humble, vibrant community just a few kilometres long, located between Whitehouse and Sav-la-Mar. It’s home to hardworking fishermen, tourism workers, and small business owners who contribute daily to Jamaica’s spirit and economy. When Hurricane Melissa made landfall, Belmont was one of the hardest hit areas and the damage has been devastating. Most homes and businesses are now without their roofs, and many structures were completely reduced to rubble.

In addition to the loss of homes and personal belongings, many residents lost their livestock and fishing boats, severely impacting their ability to make a living. The community’s fishermen, in particular, have been hit hard. Small shops and guesthouses that supported our budding tourism sector have also suffered extensive damage.

Yet, amid all this destruction, the people of Belmont have shown incredible resilience and optimism, determined to rebuild and support each other through this disaster. The people of Belmont truly embody the phrase "wi likkle but wi tallawah".

Immediate Needs (First Few Weeks)

The first priority is getting basic necessities to families in the community. Many are without shelter, food and clean water, and their is no power or cell service. There is no official census data but by my estimates Belmont is home to about 300 - 400 families. We are collecting funds to provide the following:

Long-Term Rebuilding Effort (Over the Coming Months)

After addressing immediate survival needs, we will focus on helping families rebuild their homes and livelihoods. The second phase of this campaign will help provide:

This will be a long-term community recovery initiative that lasts for several months. As we say in Jamaica, "every mikkle mek a mukkle", which means that every donation, no matter the size, will count towards the greater good. Every dollar raised will go toward materials and resources that help restore dignity, comfort, and stability to the people of Belmont.

About Photos and Videos

At this time, I have not added many photos or videos because I want to obtain consent from victims before sharing images of their homes and personal losses. Visuals will be added once I get permission and gather updates from other members of the community.

How You Can Help & Campaign Transparency

Thank you for taking the time to consider donating and please keep Belmont and the entirety of Jamaica in your prayers.