Hurricane Melissa Devistated Southwest Jamaica

October 28,2025 Hurricane Melissa struck Southwestern Jamaica with extreme force — sustained winds near 185 mph, gusts over 225 mph, and the eye of the storm passing directly over Jamaica’s South Coast. This was equivalent to a Class 5 tornado lasting for hours. The devastation to the entire island is unbelievable. The parishes most affected are Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Hanover, Trelawny, and St. James. This area is approximately 4,411 square miles of devastation, which is a significant portion of the island.

• Homes opened or destroyed
• Roofs torn off, leaving no shelter from intense sun or rain
• Trees and crops lost — their main source of food
• Significant damage to the family home and Airbnb spaces
• Many families suddenly without basic necessities

Our Story

This fundraiser began with one family and one small rural community on Jamaica’s South Coast — and a hurricane that changed everything in a matter of hours.

My Familys Former Life in Jamaica

My sister Jacqueline built her life in Auchindown, Westmoreland, a small farming district between Bluefields and Whitehouse. She married Rupert (“Bingi”), and together they raised their sons, Izon and Ishua, in a modest home surrounded by neighbors who looked out for one another.

Jacqueline contributed to her community in practical, consistent ways. She supported her neighbors, shared what she could, and stayed involved in the everyday life of the people around her. She loved the rural Jamaican way of life and began to build a second home on the property as an Airbnb to share this side of Jamaica with others. Building halted with the COVID pandemic. She passed away suddenly in 2021. Her absence was deeply felt — by her family, her friends, and the wider community. Everyone grieved deeply for a very long time.

Continuing Her Legacy

After her passing, Izon and Ishua moved to the U.S. to live with family and get a better education with greater opportunities. Rupert remained in Jamaica to care for the home they had built. It was very difficult for him losing his wife, stable income, and his two sons all at once. After several failed attempts to come to the U.S., he chose to stay and continue to care for the home and property, continuing her legacy.

After Izon graduated, he and his father turned the existing home into a shared Airbnb. This became their main source of income and also created small opportunities for local families who offered local goods and services to visitors. They were doing well and getting several 5-star reviews. Recently, Izon returned to Jamaica full-time to help his father maintain their home, run the Airbnb, and nurture the community ties his mother had created.

To see what their home was like before the storm check out their Airbnb listing HERE

Why We’re Raising Funds

Because Auchindown’s geological location and being a poor rural area it is difficult to access. Major aid organizations may take months to reach the area. In the meantime, residents are relying on one another just to meet basic needs. They need help now.

My sister didn’t just care for her own family — she supported the entire neighborhood. She often fed and clothed the local children and became someone people trusted and relied on. Because she had access to resources and connections outside Jamaica, she was able to bring help that made a meaningful difference in their lives. Today, many of those same neighbors look to Izon and Rupert to continue that bridge of support.

We want to rebuild the home, support the neighborhood and help them rebuild their humble homes, and help bring the community back together. Our long-term goal is to reopen the Airbnb so Rupert and Izon can regain a stable income and restore a sense of hope for the entire area. Will you help them?

Where Your Donations Are Going

• Immediate needs such as food, drinking water, and basic supplies
• Temporary shelter and essential building materials
• Power and communication including solar, generator support, and phone connectivity
• Tools and transportation for cleanup and access
• Rebuilding efforts for the family home and for neighbors who also suffered major losses

The goal is to provide practical, timely help to a family and community working hard to recover.

Thank you for taking the time to learn their story and for supporting the people of Auchindown in any way you can.