Restore Hope: A Safe Home for Rema and her Grandchildren

Dear friends, family, and kind-hearted strangers,

I’m reaching out with an urgent request to help Rema, a beloved member of the Jamaican community. My mom has known Rema since they were children - she would often come to my mom’s house for food and to escape the chaos at home due to her grandfather's mental illness. All these years later, her struggle continues.

Despite her difficulties, Rema has always been a beacon of kindness, positivity, and selflessness. She has given her time, love, and resources to others, even when she has had little to offer herself. But now, Rema needs our help.

For months, my mom and aunt have been working to repair Rema’s uninhabitable home, but the conditions are so severe that they now need additional help to make it safe.

Rema:

Rema’s living conditions have become unbearable, and the home she shares with her three grandchildren is falling apart. The roof of her house has multiple sections that are caved in, exposing her to the elements. The doors are falling off their hinges, and the windows are broken, offering no protection from wind, rain, or pests. Her home lacks a bathroom with running water or a proper kitchen, so she relies on rainwater to shower and uses wood from outside to cook her meals. Worse still, her electrical wiring is dangerously exposed, posing a serious risk of fire or electrocution, especially when it rains. Due to these conditions, Rema was left sleeping in a pool of water after the recent hurricane.

Sadly, Rema is not only battling with these living conditions. She is also facing the aftermath of a stroke, which caused a degenerative disease that has robbed her of her hearing and left her with permanent shoulder damage, making it difficult for her to do everyday tasks. She desperately needs medical care but cannot afford it.

What makes Rema’s situation even more heartbreaking is that she is not just caring for herself. She is raising her three grandchildren on her own. The children’s parents abandoned Rema and the children, leaving her to care for them alone. Despite this overwhelming burden, Rema has never complained. She continues to care for her grandchildren with love and dedication, providing for them the best she can, even when her own circumstances are dire.

Rema’s grandchildren aged 13, 9, and 11.

Despite these challenges, Rema maintains a positive attitude and unwavering support for her community. She has always been there for those who needed her, and now we have the chance to be there for her.

So far, we have made some improvements to Rema’s home, including repairing her roof, patching holes in the walls, repainting, installing new floors, and making the electrical system safer. These repairs cost us about $15,000, but there is still much more to do.

Roof Repair in Progress:

Repainting Exterior:

Floor Finish:

We are asking for your help to finish the renovations and give Rema the home she truly deserves. With your donations, we can:

- Replace the damaged roof entirely.

- Install new doors and windows that are secure and provide protection from the elements.

- Complete her bathroom and kitchen so that she can cook and bathe safely.

- Fix the electrical system to ensure Rema's safety.

- Make the home fully accessible to accommodate her medical needs.

Our goal is to raise the funds necessary to make Rema’s home safe, secure, and comfortable so she can continue to live with dignity and peace of mind. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a huge difference in her life.

Please help us show Rema the same kindness and love she has shown to so many others throughout her life. Thank you for your support.

With gratitude,

Rachael & The Community Team