As the massive eye of Hurricane Melissa churned toward Jamaica on Oct. 28, Robert Wint and Raymean Robinson could only sit and watch helplessly from Dorchester as the storm roared onto their home town of St. Elizabeth, a parish in the western part of the island.
Now, with the nation still struggling to recover from what some estimates describe as $7 billion in damages, they’re mobilizing alongside other Boston Jamaicans to raise funds and gather supplies for their ancestral homeland.
“I grew up there and my parents are still there and family – the schools, stores, barber shops and churches I know – everything,” said Wint, naming other places nearby like Westmoreland and Black River, which were ground-zero for the storm’s approach. “Melissa took it away. It’s completely gone.”
Robinson’s family is also from St. Elizabeth. “I had a long wait, radio silence for two or three days, to find out about my family, but they are okay. I just don’t know how we’ll get back to a normal life there…Boston has a lot of Jamaicans from the same area, but we’re going to have to go outside our little circle and get the needs out to more people who can help over time.”
Wint, an officer with the Boston Caribbean American Association (BCAA), has united with many other Jamaicans to use the Jamaican American Community Development Foundation, a registered non-profit, to lead a phased approach to relief efforts.
Due to his connections, and a StarLink internet system that he installed at his parents’ home in St. Elizabeth, Wint was able to help search for family members in the opening days of the recovery. Now, because access to the area is still cut off from the main city and airport, the Foundation is using those same connections to direct immediate relief assistance to people on the ground. That work has allowed for deliveries of water, food, hot meals, toiletries, flashlights, and other basic necessities directly to loved ones.
Andre Williams, owner of Cool Shade Restaurant at 388 Blue Hill Ave., has stepped up to help with collecting more essentials to be sent to Jamaica before the end of the year. He said he’s devastated by the scale of the destruction.
“I have been up most every night. When I’m not crying, I’m searching through the phone for videos and can’t believe I’m looking at Jamaica,” he said.
In the corner of Cool Shade sits a box with a neatly written sign reading ‘Jamaican Hurricane Relief.’ Though low key, it’s collecting high volumes of donations, which is somewhat comforting to Williams and Wint.
They are looking for tarps, non-perishable foods, power banks, solar lights, flashlights, power tools, new clothing, toiletries, small generators, and even mosquito repellent/nets.
Because the Jamaican government has allowed for such items to remain duty-free through Dec. 31, the group hopes to send numerous barrels after Thanksgiving once travel has been restored.
“We’re looking to pull at the heart strings during these holidays, so as you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving turkey, don’t forget about the people in Jamaica and just put aside $10 to get some tuna, oil, or sugar – or maybe a tarp – and bring it over to Cool Shade,” said Wint.
Wint and others plan to return to Jamaica to help with the rebuilding on site. Donations of items to be shipped to Jamaica can be dropped off at Cool Shade, or also by calling Wint at 617- 755-1025.
Dionne Richards of Bondij Clothing at 1074 Blue Hill Ave. is another collection point for donations Monday through Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, from 1 to 9 p.m. Items needed include medical supplies, personal hygiene items, tools, new clothing, and bedding.
