分类： society

Motorists passing through St Elizabeth, Jamaica, are often taken aback when they first meet Roy Hutchinson, a tire repair specialist. What makes Hutchinson remarkable is that he is a double amputee confined to a wheelchair. Despite losing both legs due to poor circulation, the 60-year-old remains undeterred by his physical limitations. Last Friday, Hutchinson swiftly assisted the Jamaica Observer team when their vehicle suffered a flat tire while en route to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. Hutchinson, a resident of Rocky Hill, St Elizabeth, has been managing the tire shop since November last year, taking over from his brother who migrated to the United States. ‘I plug a tire, take off a tire the same way. I change a tire on the machine inside the shop in the same way. I only need someone to push me around,’ Hutchinson explained, noting that he has a daily assistant. Previously a school bus driver for Hampton and Munroe students, Hutchinson lost his legs gradually—one five years ago and the other last year. Remarkably, he felt no pain during the amputations. Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Melissa, Hutchinson’s business has thrived as locals seek his services. ‘Yesterday [Thursday], I patched about four tires with nails. So basically, I knew that people would come today to plug tires, so I came out,’ he said. Hutchinson has appealed for support to acquire a battery drill and a tire-changing machine to enhance his efficiency. His partner, Michelle Golding, assists him daily, pushing him to and from the shop. Like many in the parish, Hutchinson is rebuilding after the hurricane damaged homes and electricity poles, leaving many without power. ‘I have the front there to fix back. I have to go buy some zinc nails and zinc to put it back on,’ he said, pointing to his shop. Hutchinson also faces the loss of perishable goods due to the power outage, adding to his financial strain. ‘I don’t really have any savings. I have some chicken in the fridge right now which I am going to lose. It’s a great loss for me again,’ he lamented.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation, Pepsi-Cola Jamaica has stepped up its efforts to aid affected communities by donating beverages worth US$50,000. This contribution includes approximately 9,000 cases of water, Gatorade, and Pepsi products, aimed at providing essential relief to those impacted by the disaster.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that devastated Belmont, Westmoreland, three helicopters brought much-needed relief supplies to the community on Sunday. The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) provided two of the helicopters, while the third was dispatched by World Central Kitchen, delivering essential food items. The helicopters landed at Belmont Academy, a central location between Whitehouse and Bluefields, offering a beacon of hope to residents left homeless by the disaster.

Keisha Rowe, a local resident and employee at Belmont Academy, expressed her gratitude for the timely assistance. ‘We are happy for the help, and there is more to come. Many people here don’t have anywhere to live. A lot of people are homeless, so we are glad for the help, and I am happy that it came fast enough,’ she said.

Wayne Smith, a visually impaired man, shared his harrowing experience, noting that his house had lost its roof, forcing him and his wife to seek shelter elsewhere. ‘It’s real critical, it’s not normal…I am not speaking for myself alone, because I can’t move about like that, but I still have to try to bounce around,’ he explained. Smith, like many others, had been listening for the sound of helicopters, hoping for the arrival of supplies. ‘Today we heard the helicopter, and I said, ‘I am going up there,’ and when I went, I got through right away—flour, rice, sugar, everything in there,’ he recounted.

Carly Wilson, a visitor from Missouri, USA, whose husband is from Belmont, described the emotional toll of witnessing the community’s struggles. ‘This is a very emotional experience, seeing everybody struggle. The people desperately need help,’ she said. Wilson has been actively coordinating with donor organizations to bring additional aid to the area. She highlighted the immediate need for drinking water, as burst pipes have contaminated the local water supply. ‘Unfortunately, there is no drinking water in these combo packs. We need drinking water in this community as soon as possible,’ she emphasized.

The relief efforts have brought smiles to many, including five-year-old Travis Miller and Belmont resident Nickashai Samuels, who, along with her partner Rodney Walker and their one-year-old son Duke, received care packages from the JDF helicopters. The community remains hopeful as more organizations commit to joining the relief distribution efforts.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a powerful Category 5 storm last Tuesday, Trelawny native Nugent Walker, the executive manager for sprint legend Usain Bolt, spearheaded efforts to restore access to the Martha Brae to Sherwood Content road. Alongside local residents, Walker took the initiative to clear debris and assess the extensive damage inflicted on the northwestern corridor, including the communities where he and Bolt grew up. The hurricane’s impact has left many areas in western Jamaica, particularly Trelawny, in dire need of recovery. While Bolt was off the island attending a personal engagement, his team and community members worked tirelessly to address the immediate challenges. Residents of Perth Town, Reserve, and Sherwood Content are currently relying on an alternate route through Duncan’s, Clark’s Town, and Duanvale, which has significantly extended travel times from a 10-minute commute to nearly two hours. The collective efforts of Walker and the community highlight the resilience and solidarity of Trelawny’s residents in the face of natural disaster.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a heartwarming display of solidarity, numerous Chinese nationals have joined forces to assist communities in St Elizabeth devastated by Hurricane Melissa. The initiative, spearheaded by the Chinese Benevolent Association, has seen volunteers working tirelessly to assemble and distribute care packages to those in dire need.

The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ) has issued a heartfelt appeal to property owners across the nation, urging them to list their vacant homes, apartments, warehouses, and investment properties for both short and long-term rentals. This initiative aims to tackle the severe housing and storage shortages exacerbated by the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. In a statement released on Monday, the RAJ emphasized that property owners are uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in the country’s recovery efforts. RAJ President Gabrielle Gilpin-Hudson highlighted the importance of compassion and collaboration during this critical time. ‘This is a moment for compassion and partnership,’ she stated. ‘We encourage owners of vacant properties to put them to good use by listing them on the market to support relief efforts. This is our opportunity to make a tangible difference while ensuring investments serve a meaningful purpose.’ The RAJ has assured property owners of its members’ readiness to provide professional and efficient assistance in preparing, listing, and renting properties. Additionally, the association is committed to helping families and businesses identify suitable spaces for housing or storage. ‘Our realtors are trained to make the listing and rental process seamless and transparent for both owners and tenants,’ Gilpin-Hudson added. ‘Together, we can help families find stability and enable businesses to resume serving their communities.’

In the aftermath of the catastrophic Category Five Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica last Tuesday, the community of Brompton in St Elizabeth remains in dire straits. Over the weekend, the resilience of the youngest residents was on full display as children took to the streets, pleading for assistance from passing motorists. Armed with handmade placards bearing messages such as ‘We need food and water, anything helps,’ these young survivors highlighted the urgent needs of their devastated neighborhood. Brompton, among the hardest-hit areas, has been left in ruins by the storm’s ferocity. Despite the overwhelming destruction, a glimmer of hope emerged as compassionate drivers halted to distribute vital supplies, including food, bottled water, and soap, offering a small but significant reprieve to the struggling community.