HI! My name is Kristi and I'm from Calgary, Canada. I've had a LONG and beautiful journey with Jamaica. I've lived there more than once and wrote an award-winning blog about Jamaica for 10 years (2009-2019). Throughout many years of exploring the island and showcasing its beautiful people, culture, history, and food, a few individuals added incredible value to my life along the way. Without them, my years in Jamaica most certainly wouldn't have been as worthwhile.

Since Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica two weeks ago, an unofficial initiative has been circulating on social media platforms to “Adopt a Jamaican family” if at all possible.

So, I’m adopting TWO families of two people who made my life in Jamaica infinitely BETTER.

Both times I attempted to make Jamaica my home (in 2011 and 2016), two amazing humans acted as my trusty sidekicks. Whenever I yelled, “Get in the car!” both of them were down for anything, anytime, no questions asked.

You can imagine our adventures, right?

One of them was my next-door neighbor and one was my landlord, and both were my dear friends when I needed them most. Because they were there for me, I'm choosing to be there for their families now.

Jamaica and its people have given me SO MUCH LOVE. In return, I have "adopted" a couple of families that I can make a direct impact on as they begin the arduous journey of rebuilding their lives after Hurricane Melissa.

I have always believed that if you have a platform, you should, without question, use it for good. The most challenging part about trying to do good is that most of us aren’t celebrities; therefore, we don’t have much reach, clout, or money.

As a writer, the one thing I’ve always had is an incredible network of amazing humans who follow my online shenanigans. And today, I’m here to change some lives.

To read the FULL stories about the two families I'm supporting with this GoFundMe, please visit this link.