My name is Angeleen Samuels, an Retired, Army Master Sergeant currently living in Georgia. I was born in Retrieve, Hanover but Raised in Burntside district, Maryland in the beautiful Parish of Hanover, Jamaica.

You all know how much I love traveling to Jamaica and frequently highlighting my community and my travels on my social media platforms (Life with Jackie ). Within the past 72 hours Hurricane Melissa have catastrophically devastated the lives of not only my small community (my family) but the entire island of Jamaica, leaving the entire west side of the island at ground zero.

My entire community is completely isolated because roads are impassable and/or completely destroyed making it impossible for residence to leave or receive aid. Currently there's no communication, no electricity, no internet and no livelihood. Some homes have completely disappeared, roofs are missing, interiors flooded and walls have collapsed, making them unsafe and uninhabitable. Families are running out of food, clean water, personal hygiene items and essential medical supplies.

Families are now struggling and need immediate support to secure temporary shelter, food, and the materials required to start rebuilding their lives.

While there are many organizations and government agency volunteering and donating towards rebuilding the island, rural communities such as Burntside often gets overlooked and are often forced to deal with the aftermath alone.

I plan to be on the ground as soon as the roads are passable to help deliver direct relief to my community and those in need.

The required relief for this disaster is nothing that I am prepared for or capable of managing on my own but if you know me and would like to help please consider doing so.

I'm organizing and managing this fundraiser from my home Hinesville, Georgia in the U.S. Once I'm in communication with my family and members of my community I will start coordinating the recovery efforts based on what is needed.

Funds from this GoFundMe will go directly toward rebuilding lives as well as providing essential assistance for nearby rural communities such as Burntside, Donalva, Cash Hill, Hill Foot, Springfield, Medley and Maryland.

Every dollar donated will be spent to help families in need by providing building materials, temporary tarps, basic hygiene kits ( formula, diapers, wipes, feminine products), food, water, clothes and other needed supplies.

I’m not apart of any organization or government agency. I am just trying to do my part.

Please consider donating. Every and Anything is needed and appreciated. Every dollar is critical and will be used to help restore the lives of the families in Burntside and surrounding areas.

Even if not through me I'm asking that you find it in your heart to help Jamaica in any way possible. The devastation across the island is immense, and recovery will take not just money, but patience, faith, and time.

This will not be fixed overnight. It will take months, if not years, to rebuild. So continue to pray , keep the faith and our community, we will rise again.

With gratitude and best regards

Angeleen Samuels

Master Sergeant (Retired)