Saneika Johnson

We Survived Hurricane Melissa... or Did We? Hi! My name is Saneika Johnson, a 23-year-old university student from Lambs River, deep rural Westmoreland, Jamaica. I’m writing this with trembling hands and a hopeful heart on behalf of the Ramsay family and Barneyside community, who are trying to rebuild our lives after the unimaginable destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. We need your help. We accept monetary donations by this link but if you only have physical donations, it can be sent to Thurmuties Ramsay in Miramar, Florida. Contact her on facebook at Aliecia Ramsay. ITEMS NEEDED: Tarpaulins / Plastic sheeting Plywood, nails, hammers, saws Tents and temporary shelters Flashlights, solar lamps, and batteries Sleeping bags, air mattresses, and cots Mosquito nets Non-perishable foods (corned beef, sardines, beans, rice, flour, pasta, sugar, oats) Canned fruits and vegetables Powdered milk / infant formula Bottled water or water purification tablets Cooking oil Raincoats and sturdy shoes Hygiene kits: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo Sanitary napkins, diapers (for babies and adults) First aid kits (bandages, antiseptic, pain relievers, gloves, etc.) School supplies (books, pencils, backpacks) Fencing wire and netting Construction materials for pens and coops When Melissa’s winds came roaring through, it was as if the sky itself had shattered. The air screamed, the earth trembled, and everything we built — everything we loved — was stripped away. By the time the storm’s eye passed, our community was unrecognizable. We survived… but our homes, our farms, and our livelihoods did not. My aunt, Sashana Ramsay, her spouse, and their two sons nearly lost their lives. When the hurricane struck, the roof of their house tore away like paper. Rain and debris crashed in, forcing them to flee for their lives. They crawled along the asphalt, clinging to posts, battered by rain and wind, until they reached a relative’s home — soaked, injured, and terrified. Their house is now only a frame — no roof, no furniture, no flooring. Their farm of sorrel, yams, and over 100 chickens was wiped out. Both are small farmers, hardworking people who lived day-to-day from the land. Now, they have no home, no income, and nowhere to go. Your donations will help provide food, clothing, and most importantly — rebuild their home so they can have a safe place to live again. Our own home also suffered great damage. Half our roof was ripped off despite hurricane straps. Two windows imploded under pressure. Our chicken coop collapsed. We tried to save them by bringing them inside, but the rain still found its way in. We managed to save only 60 of the 100. Our pig pen roof was blown away, though thankfully, all our pigs survived. My father’s storeroom, filled with tools and materials to finish our house, was destroyed — tiles shattered, cement soaked, fixtures ruined. Even our car was left dented and bruised, like the rest of us. When we stepped outside after the storm, it was like waking up in another world — no trees, no roofs, no fences. Just silence and sorrow. We walked through the community and saw homes flattened, walls collapsed, trucks tossed like toys, and people staring at the sky as if waiting for an answer. We live in a deep rural area, a place often left out of relief efforts because it’s far from the cities and rarely seen on the news. But we are Jamaicans too. We are the hands that plant, harvest, and feed this island. Right now, Barneyside, Lambs River and surrounding areas such as Ramsay Corner, Belvedere and Cove Road are filled with families who have lost everything. Children are sleeping under tarpaulins, elders are hungry, and the few homes that remain are overflowing with people seeking shelter. But we believe help will come. Even the smallest acts of kindness can rebuild hope — one nail, one meal, one roof at a time. How You Can Help? Your donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward: Rebuilding homes for the Ramsay family and others in the community Providing food, water, and clothing Restoring small farms so families can earn again Hurricane Melissa may have torn down our walls, but it will not destroy our spirit. With your help, we can rise again — like seeds buried in the storm, ready to bloom once more. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for believing that every life — even in the smallest corner of Jamaica — matters. – Saneika Johnson & the Ramsay Family Barneyside and Lambs River, Westmoreland, Jamaica