<div><strong>Campaign Description</strong>
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<div>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.
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<div>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.
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<div>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.
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<div>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".
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<div><strong>Immediate Needs (First Few Weeks)</strong>
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<div>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:
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<li>Canned food and drinking water
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<li>Staples such as rice, flour, sugar, salt, and cornmeal
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<li>Evaporated milk, instant porridge, and other easy-to-prepare items
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<li>Feminine hygiene products
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<li>Food items for community cookouts (hot meals are important)
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<li>Tarps to protect from rainfall
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<li>Pest repellants
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<li>Solar lamps, flashlights, batteries, power banks, candles, matches, and lighters
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<li>Basic medicines (painkillers, multi-symptom tablets)
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<li>Diapers, formula, and children’s supplies
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<li>Clothing for men, women, and children of all sizes
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<div><strong>Long-Term Rebuilding Effort (Over the Coming Months)</strong>
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<div>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:
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<li>Roofing material, cement blocks, lumber, nails, screws, tools, and even more tarps
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<li>Support for rebuilding homes in the community that were completely destroyed, prioritizing families with the elderly, disabled, and children
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<li>Assistance for fishermen and small entrepreneurs to repair or replace boats, tools, goods and livestock that were destroyed
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<li>(Stretch Goal) A community generator to provide power for charging of essential devices until electricity is restored
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<div>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.
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<div><strong>About Photos and Videos</strong>
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<div>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.
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<div><strong>How You Can Help &amp; Campaign Transparency</strong>
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<li>Donate what you can to help families recover
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<li>Share this campaign with friends, family, and community networks
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<li>Spread the word to others who love Jamaica and believe in helping those in need
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<li>As a professional project manager I am well accustomed to managing budgets and deliverables. I will be keeping meticulous records of all spending and allocations, ensuring that every dollar is tracked and used effectively. I will provide regular updates here on GoFundMe to show exactly how donations are helping families in Belmont rebuild their homes, restore livelihoods, and meet their immediate needs
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<li>I will also be coordinating with other organizations providing support to ensure that all donations are utilized as effectively as possible
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<div>Thank you for taking the time to consider donating and please keep Belmont and the entirety of Jamaica in your prayers.
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Sean Cotter

William Li

Theresa Gomes

Lise Bouffard

Anonymous

Dene Hoffeldt

clint bahadur

Jerome Anderson

Ashley Aimone

Joyce Cunningham

Ian Montgomery

Dorothy and Peter Cressatti

M Catherine Chang

Stefan Chen

Trevor Palmer

Dennis Zacharski

Belmont Community, Jamaica: Rise After Hurricane Melissa

Belmont Community, Jamaica: Rise After Hurricane Melissa

Still $22,400 to go. Help us build momentum.