分类： society

In a remarkable display of solidarity, principals from numerous Corporate Area schools gathered at Belmont Academy in Westmoreland on Saturday to assist in the institution’s recovery efforts following the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The hurricane left approximately 70% of the school’s infrastructure in ruins, leaving Principal Rayon Simpson in disbelief. “I was amazed by the devastation, especially since this is a relatively new campus,” Simpson remarked. “We lost everything made of zinc.” Despite the challenges, Simpson expressed profound gratitude for the overwhelming support from schools and communities across Jamaica. “Since Thursday, we’ve received visits from high schools and community members offering their help,” he told the Jamaica Observer. Among the contributors were Calabar High School, Tivoli Gardens High School, Waterford High School, St Andrew High for Girls, Eltham High School, and the Jamaica Teachers’ Association. Western Jamaica, particularly Westmoreland, bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa, with the eye of the storm making landfall in the region. Marvin Johnson, Principal of Tivoli Gardens High School, emphasized the importance of unity in the recovery process. “We must build strong bonds among schools, especially those severely affected,” Johnson stated. He also highlighted Tivoli Gardens’ relief initiative, which has already provided aid to St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and continues to collect more supplies. Calabar High School has also been actively involved, with students traveling to Trelawny to assist Westwood High School. Principal Sian Wilson described the partnership as a “sister school” bond, stressing the importance of national unity during this challenging time. “Words can’t describe the devastation we’ve seen,” Wilson said. “We must remain committed to helping for as long as possible.” Belmont Academy remains closed indefinitely, with Principal Simpson unable to provide a reopening timeline due to the widespread destruction and the ongoing struggles of displaced students and families. “Many students are homeless, and families are protecting what little they have left,” he explained. “We must be sensitive to their needs as we work toward recovery.”

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has confirmed the recovery of a man’s body from the Step River in St James, following a suspected drowning incident on Sunday, November 16. According to reports, the victim was attempting to cross the river when he was overwhelmed by strong currents and swept away. The JDF Coast Guard was promptly called in to assist with search and recovery operations. A specialized dive team from the Second District JDF Coast Guard was dispatched to the scene, where they conducted an underwater search and successfully retrieved the body. The remains were subsequently handed over to local authorities for further investigation. In a statement, the JDF Coast Guard expressed its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased. They also issued a public reminder to exercise extreme caution around rivers, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when water levels and currents can become dangerously unpredictable.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s catastrophic impact on western Jamaica, the JPS Foundation has emerged as a beacon of hope, delivering essential aid to devastated communities in St Elizabeth and Westmoreland. On November 6, 2025, the Foundation’s team, in collaboration with Food For The Poor Jamaica, visited the severely affected fishing villages of Scotts Cove and Bluefields. Their mission was to provide immediate relief through care packages containing food and personal care items, ice, and water, while also setting up charging stations to help residents reconnect with their families. Volunteers offered emotional support, listening to and encouraging those who had lost homes and livelihoods. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, struck on October 28, 2025, causing widespread destruction across Cornwall County and parts of Middlesex, displacing thousands and crippling infrastructure. Sophia Lewis, Head of the JPS Foundation, emphasized the organization’s commitment to restoring not just power but also hope. She highlighted the resilience of the affected communities and the Foundation’s long-term dedication to sustainable recovery efforts. This initiative is part of a broader national relief campaign, with Food For The Poor managing logistics and community outreach to ensure aid reaches the most vulnerable areas.

In response to the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, Fontana Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Fontana Foundation and Amber FundMe, has initiated a $10 million fundraising campaign. This effort aims to support relief and recovery operations for affected Jamaicans both locally and within the diaspora. Amber FundMe, the crowdfunding platform behind the government’s official donation site, supportjamaica.gov.jm, is facilitating the campaign, which was activated shortly after the hurricane struck. Fontana Pharmacy has pledged to match every dollar donated, up to $5 million, to achieve the total fundraising goal. The Fontana Foundation, a registered charity, has already distributed over 800 care packages containing essential items such as food, water, personal care products, and clothing to families in urgent need. The relief efforts have primarily targeted the severely impacted communities of St James and Westmoreland. Anne Chang, CEO of Fontana Pharmacy, emphasized the organization’s unique ability to deliver aid swiftly and effectively, given its presence in hard-hit areas like Montego Bay and Savanna-la-Mar. Chang also highlighted the importance of collective action, stating, ‘Together, we can help communities recover and rebuild stronger. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.’ Donations can be made through the Amber FundMe campaign page: amberfundme.com/campaign/the-fontana-foundation-hurricane-melissa-relief-fund.

Jamaica’s Freemasons celebrated a remarkable milestone during their third annual National Blood Drive last Saturday, collecting over 65 pints of blood from more than 90 donors. The event, deemed the most successful in its history, also saw the fraternal organization contribute $140,000 to the National Blood Transfusion Service (Blood Bank). This generous donation will fund the purchase of an air conditioning unit and standing fans to enhance the facility’s operations. Despite the overwhelming turnout, logistical challenges, including staff shortages, prevented over 15 latecomers from donating after 2:00 pm. Organizers explained that processing these additional donors would have extended the event beyond its scheduled 3:00 pm closure. Workers remained fully engaged from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm without breaks, ensuring the smooth execution of the drive. Those who qualified but were unable to donate were encouraged to return on November 17, 2025, to complete their contributions.

The Veronica Campbell Brown Foundation has launched an urgent initiative to aid communities ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, with a special emphasis on enabling Jamaican high school girls to resume their education amidst the nation’s recovery. The Foundation, in collaboration with Food For The Poor and other corporate partners, is actively raising funds to provide immediate relief and deliver essential supplies to affected families.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, licensed medical marijuana farmer Errol Whyte is grappling with significant losses, estimating damages in the millions of dollars. His one-acre ganja farm in Claremont, St Ann, was severely impacted by the storm. Despite the setback, Whyte, who has operated Mellow Bud Ganja Farms for five years, remains hopeful. He sees an opportunity for licensed ganja farmers in the northern and eastern regions of Jamaica to ramp up production and compensate for the losses suffered by their counterparts in the storm-ravaged southwestern areas. Whyte emphasizes the urgent need for the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) and the government to provide relief and support to affected farmers. ‘This isn’t just about me or a few farmers; it’s about the entire industry,’ he stated. Whyte believes that with adequate support, northern and eastern farmers can meet the rising demand for medical marijuana. He calls for a more proactive approach from the CLA to ensure the industry’s sustainability, highlighting the role of farmers as entrepreneurs and job creators. ‘We are committed to this industry, and we need the CLA to be committed to us,’ he asserted.

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive impact on Jamaica’s southwestern coast, Black River High School is spearheading efforts to restore normalcy for its 1,500 students. The Category 5 storm, which struck on October 28, caused extensive damage to the school’s infrastructure, including classrooms, the auditorium, and the computer-aided design (CAD) laboratory. Principal Christopher Romans emphasized the urgency of resuming classes, particularly for upper-school students preparing for exams, to minimize learning loss.