Rebuilding Hope for Horizon’s Heart: Laga & Sophie
Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of devastation in Jamaica, and tragically, Horizon Cottages in Bluefields/Belmont was not spared. The once vibrant and welcoming community has been shattered.
This fundraiser is for Laga and Sophie, the heart and soul of Horizon Cottages. Their homes were also lost in the storm, leaving them and their families with nothing. Yet, through it all, their spirit remains unbroken.
For nearly 30 years, Horizon has welcomed guests from around the world to experience the warmth, beauty, and community of Jamaica’s south coast. What truly made Horizon Cottages special wasn’t just its sea views or rustic charm — it was Laga and Sophie.
Laga has been part of Horizon Cottages since the beginning — a husband, skilled fisherman, gifted cook, talented musician and singer, and Horizon’s beloved host. He embodies the true soul of Jamaica: always greeting guests with kindness, sharing stories about the Belmont community, and making everyone feel like family. Horizon is his life and his heart.
Sophie is Horizon Cottages’s reliable backbone and foundational support — a single mother whose daughter, Faith, needs heart surgery. She ensures every guest detail is handled with care, every cottage is perfectly prepared, and every arrival feels like a homecoming. She is the glue that holds everything together.
Now, they need our help.
The owners of Horizon Cottages are committed to rebuilding the historic main house and cottages — not only to restore a cherished part of Bluefields’ heritage, but so that Laga and Sophie can return to work when the time comes.
Funds raised will go directly toward:
- Rebuilding Laga and Sophie's homes and assisting their families in their recovery. (Like many Jamaicans, neither has insurance to cover their homes.)
- Providing immediate living essentials and support while Horizon is being rebuilt.
- Ensuring continued income for Laga and Sophie through this challenging period.
If you’ve ever stayed at Horizon Cottages, shared a meal cooked by Laga, or been welcomed by Sophie’s warmth, you know how special they are.
Let’s come together as the extended Horizon Cottages family to help them rebuild their lives and their home.
Every contribution — no matter the size — makes a difference.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity.
Together, we can help Laga and Sophie rise again.
The video below is what the area around Horizon Cottages in Bluefields/Belmont looks like right now after Hurricane Melissa. The owners noticed the video and realized that the cottages and jetty of Horizon are no longer there. The main historic house is severely damaged. They plan on rebuilding, but while they do, Laga and Sophie need our help.
Thank you in advance for any support you can provide, as well as for sharing this with those you've told about your Horizon visit and how you were cared for by our friends.
With gratitude,
Nicole & The Tiverton House, LLC Crew
Booking Agent for Horizon Cottages
Organizer
