I'm Amy McDonnell, and I am raising funds for my dearest friend, Althea Nelson. The recent devastation in Jamaica from Hurricane Melissa has severely impacted her and her sons, leaving them living in a rental home without part of a roof. The landlord has a long history of neglecting the property, so no repairs are anticipated any time soon.

Althea has been working hard at her small self-owned retail shop for many years, scrupulously saving to build her own home in Ocho Rios, a bit at a time. She has made amazing progress through sheer grit and determination. At this point, any funds raised will go toward making that home basically habitable, and replacing a few necessary items ruined in the hurricane.

This, from Althea: "I've been living in a rental home for a number of years, but the landlord has never properly maintained the property. When Hurricane Melissa passed over, the roof—already weakened from age—was severely damaged, making the house unsafe and uncomfortable to live in. I've started building my own home so that I can finally have a stable place to live, but I am struggling to cover the remaining costs. Any assistance that you can give that will help me finish my home and move into a safe, secure space of my own will be so appreciated. Many, many thanks for all of your prayers, kind thoughts, and messages of care and concern."