Dear Members of the Jamaican Diaspora in the United Kingdom,

We write to you today with heavy hearts, but also with unwavering hope, in the wake of the devastation brought about by Hurricane Melissa. Our beloved island home must once again show its resilience, but the path to recovery is steep, and our most precious resource; our youth, needs your immediate support.

A silent crisis is unfolding at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. Beyond the visible damage, the storm has severely disrupted the lives and education of thousands of

students. Many have lost personal belongings, including textbooks, laptops, and research materials. More urgently, many are now without reliable access to food and clean water.

These students are the future doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders of Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Their education cannot wait for a slow recovery.

As members of the UWI Mona Guild of Students, we are launching a targeted relief effort to address the two most immediate needs: Food Security and Academic Continuity. We urgently

appeal for your help.

Your contribution will be directed to provide:

• Essential Food and Water: With power outages and damaged infrastructure, many

students cannot store food or cook meals. Your donation will help provide non-

perishable food items, water, and other essential supplies to ensure no student has to

face hunger while recovering from this disaster.

• Critical Learning Materials: Textbooks have been waterlogged, notebooks destroyed,

and crucial resources lost. Your support will provide stationery, textbooks, and other academic tools so students can resume their studies without losing a critical semester.

The Jamaican diaspora in the UK has always been a pillar of strength for our homeland. Our

collective spirit, our "likkle but tallawah" attitude, shines brightest in times of need. Let us

now extend that strength to the next generation.

No contribution is too small. Every pound you give is a direct investment in a student's well-

being and Jamaica's recovery.

Let us show these young minds that even from across the Atlantic, their Jamaican family

stands with them. Together, we can help them rebuild, recover, and continue their journey to

greatness.

With sincere thanks and best regards,

Rajaye Bennett

Elsa Leo-Rhynie Hall Chairman

UWI Mona Guild Hall Cohort Leader

In collaboration with Rajaye and the UWI Mona Guild/Student Union we will be supporting the students at UWI Mona which is located in Kingston, Jamaica who have been affected by hurricane Melissa.

We have donated £250 towards these students and so has our brother Montel which totals to £500 so far. If you can’t donate any money we kindly ask that you share this link. Any contribution will go a long way and will be deeply appreciated.

God bless you all!