Hello everyone,

My name is Shirmane, and I'm reaching out with a heavy heart to ask for your support for my family in St. Ann, Jamaica, who have been greatly impacted by the catastrophic Hurricane Melissa. Many of you know that my parents, siblings, and other family still live in Jamaica and I am trying to get them as much help as I can.

As you may have seen in the news, Melissa made landfall as a historic Category 5 storm, causing widespread "total devastation," intense flooding, and power outages across the island. Our family home was not spared. The hurricane's powerful winds uprooted all the trees on the property, one of which landed on the roof and another on the power lines. There is no power and we are unsure of when power will be restored. My uncle, who is a farmer, lost his entire roof and also has no electricity.

Currently, my family is facing many challenges: while they still have a roof over their heads, it has been damaged and will need to be repaired/replaced. Due to the damages and flooding in other areas, there is a lack of basic essentials like clean water and non-perishable food, and face a long road to recovery with limited local resources.

How Your Donation Will Help:

I am fundraising to cover the immediate and essential costs of recovery. Every donation will go directly to my family by purchasing items needed:

1. A generator (dual fuel) - to be able to have a working refrigerator.

2. Securing and repairing the roof - purchasing materials to make the house safe and dry again.

3. Essential supplies: Providing clean drinking water, food, basic first-aid supplies, and hygiene kits.

4. Shipping and Delivery costs to get items to the family. The Jamaican government has waived the duty charges for essential items through December 31, 2025.

5. Any remaining funds will go directly to the family to help with any additional costs.

My goal is to raise $5,000 to help our family get back on their feet. The actual cost of rebuilding will likely be higher, but this amount will cover the most urgent repairs and immediate needs. Your generosity and support mean everything to me and my family. Even a small donation can make a huge difference in the aftermath of such a disaster.

If you are unable to donate at this time, please consider sharing this campaign with your network. The more people who see this, the faster we can get help to my family.

We will provide updates here on the progress of the repairs and how your funds are being used.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for any help you can provide.

With gratitude,

Shirmane Ellis