KINGSTON, Jamaica — Historic Munro College, an all-boys institution nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains of St Elizabeth, has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout its 170-year history. However, the consecutive devastation wrought by two catastrophic hurricanes within two years presented unprecedented challenges to the educational institution.
Following substantial damage from Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, the school faced further destruction when Category 5 Hurricane Melissa struck on October 28, 2025. The compound suffered extensive structural damage, with twisted roofing, shattered windows, and compromised buildings standing as stark reminders of nature’s destructive power.
Amid the devastation, a beacon of hope emerged through a collaborative effort between the Rotary Club of St Andrew North and KR Method, a U.S.-based health and fitness company. The partnership resulted in a substantial $1-million donation aimed at supporting the school’s recovery efforts.
The contribution holds particular significance as KR Method was founded by Korey Rowe, a Munro College alumnus now residing in New York. The formal presentation ceremony in December 2025 occurred against the sobering backdrop of the damaged campus, symbolizing both destruction and hope.
Principal Dr. Mark Smith described the situation as ‘hauntingly familiar,’ noting the psychological impact of facing consecutive rebuilding phases. ‘Closing off the year, we did not anticipate that we would be in a rebuilding mode. It really feels like déjà vu,’ he stated, recalling that Hurricane Beryl had significantly damaged 33 of the school’s 35 buildings.
Despite the overwhelming scale of destruction, Dr. Smith reported notable progress in resilience building. ‘When Melissa hit, only nine of the 35 buildings were significantly damaged,’ he noted, attributing this improvement to strategic investments by the National Education Trust, the Ministry of Education, and the Munro College Old Boys Association.
The donated funds will be directed primarily toward restoring the school library, which requires comprehensive repairs including roofing, book replacements, computer systems, furniture, and windows. The total rehabilitation project is estimated at approximately $8 million.
Pierpont Wilson, President of the Rotary Club of St Andrew North, emphasized the critical importance of educational continuity. ‘When an educational institution is significantly affected, it creates a learning deficit. Rotary wants to help Jamaica build back stronger,’ he stated, highlighting the organization’s commitment to partnership and collaboration.
For alumnus Korey Rowe, the initiative represented a deeply personal commitment. ‘I’m from St Elizabeth, and I’m also a Munro old boy. My heart was moved by the tragedy… Helping was the perfect intersection of cause and place and wanting to give back,’ he expressed.
The donation symbolizes both immediate relief and long-term commitment to educational resilience in Jamaica’s hurricane-vulnerable regions.