Support Grace's Family and Village Post-Hurricane
Urgent appeal for local relief efforts in Jamaica
A very dear friend of mine comes from one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa. Grace, a clinical nurse at the University of North Carolina (UNC) took personal unpaid leave to go home and help her aid and assist her family and community.
It’s been several days now — and still no meaningful aid has reached them. She’s one of the strongest, most self-reliant people I know, the kind who never asks for help. But after exhausting her own resources, she’s been forced to set up a GoFundMe page just to keep providing the bare daily basics, never mind wanting to purchase materials to provide temporary shelter and repairing and rebuilding.
I’ve written an extended blog below; “Why this matters” about some other issues involved here, but this first part serves as the short, direct request version:
If you can, buy her a cup of coffee — a small donation that could mean another loaf of bread or bottle of water for someone right now.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-graces-family-and-village-posthurricane/donate/thankyou/share
Thank you. 🙏🏾
Why this matters
Over the years, too many disaster donations have been lost in bureaucracy or fraud, leaving people understandably hesitant to give. I personally only donate through trusted organizations such as Doctors Without Borders and previously UNICEF, though even they aren’t immune to inefficiencies. Sadly, it often comes down to choosing the lesser of evils.
Jamaica, too, has long battled scam activity, and disasters like this are exploited by a small minority with no conscience — tarnishing a nation of hardworking, enterprising people. Meanwhile, price spikes and supply shortages worsen an already fragile situation.
The first responsibility to help lies with government and citizens. Yet many Jamaicans — even those not directly hit — live pay cheque to pay cheque, relying on tourism as their main income. Beyond them are those who can give, and I trust that many already are.
But this woman is on the ground — someone I personally know and trust — ensuring every dollar goes straight to the victims. The Jamaican government also has official relief programs worth checking for anyone wishing to contribute in other ways. Via that site, both money and supplies can be donated (see link below).
How else you can help
When Jamaica reopens for tourism, consider visiting. Tourism is the nation’s lifeblood. A simple stay at an all-inclusive resort helps countless families rebuild, and you’ll be treated with the warmth and respect that Jamaica is known for. For accurate, real-time updates, consult the TripAdvisor forums, where travellers share honest ground reports.
And if this message doesn’t move you to help there, help someone near you. The principle remains the same.
“Money is energy. It thrives and blesses everyone when it flows.”
Giving — even before we “have enough” — is how prosperity circulates.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-graces-family-and-village-posthurricane?ts=1762021747134
Thank you for reading.
