My name is Virginia Boyle, and I’ve lived in Negril, Jamaica for six years. When Hurricane Melissa hit, it devastated the small family guesthouse where I rent my room. I’m raising funds to rebuild Miss D’s Yard, so they can open for the season and stay in business.

Miss D’s Yard is not a resort — it’s five simple beach rooms run by an older Jamaican man whose only income comes from renting them. Guests are all confirmed, starting mid-December. If we can complete repairs in time, he can survive the season. If not, he loses everything — and I lose my home as well. Please help us rebuild Miss D’s Yard.

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*Why I’m Asking for Help

I am organizing this fundraiser because Miss D’s Yard is more than a property — it is a home, a livelihood for many, and a source of dignity for an entire extended family. With your help, their way of life can continue.

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• WHAT HAPPENED / WHAT NEEDS REPAIR

*Structural & Emergency Repairs

One roof completely destroyed. Professional Assessment:

*Supplies (pro-forma invoices): $2,750

*Professional Roofer’s Fee for Job: $1450.

Roof total: $4200

• Major fence collapse (138 bamboo poles + frame + cinder blocks)

• Hole blown through ceiling

• Three rooms: screens ripped off

* porches, stairs, railings damaged

• Dangerous debris, rebar, downed electric poles, trees everywhere

*Utilities

• New electric poles, wires, fixtures in every room, meters

• Main plumbing line broken

• One toilet & one shower out of commission

• Two water tanks to replace, reset, reconnect

*Sanitation & Safety

• Deep cleaning: rooms, bathrooms, kitchens

• Paint, sealants, sanitizers

• Insect & rodent control

• First aid supplies

• Seven doctor visits for injuries sustained during recovery

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*HOW FUNDS WILL BE USED

Every dollar goes directly to:

• Water tanks and plumbing supplies

• Cement, lumber, nails, sealers, paint, electrical supplies

• Sanitation and safety supplies

• Roof – Materials and Professional Fee for job

• Food and clean water daily for the staff of workers

• Doctor bills and medication

• Emergency transport

No salaries. No overhead.

This is pure, direct relief — neighbor to neighbor.

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*WHY IT MATTERS

Small Jamaican guesthouses keep extended families alive.

When one collapses, Negril loses:

• A community anchor

• homes

• livelihoods

• A multi-generational safety net

Rebuilding Miss D’s Yard means:

• The owner can survive the season, and book into the future

• Workers stay employed

• Families can eat

• I can keep my home

• A piece of Negril’s soul is saved

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*IMPACT OF YOUR GIFT

• $25 buys food for three workers for a day

• $50 buys water for the staff for a day

• $100 buys a tank of cooking gas

• $200 pays a professional trades worker for a job

• $500 buys a water tank

• Any amount brings us closer to welcoming guests, soon arriving

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CLOSING

Thank you for reading, caring, and helping this little corner off Negril recover with dignity. Your support means more than words can say.