I was born and raised in Jamaica — a land of lush green hillsides, crystal-blue beaches, majestic mountains, and a spirit that has inspired the world. From reggae legends like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh to icons like Usain Bolt, Jamaica has always stood tall in beauty, culture, and strength.

But on October 28th, everything changed. Jamaica was struck by Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that tore through our island with 185-mph winds. The irony is that I had just visited home days before — for a family funeral and to see my longtime hairdresser, whose name is also Melissa. The contrast between my name, Nelecia, and the hurricane Melissa, along with the purpose of my hairdresser Melissa, and the timing of saying goodbye to a family friend, was striking. It felt almost symbolic, as if I was meant to be in Jamaica when the storm came.

I will never forget looking out the window as trees were uprooted, homes were torn apart as if they were made of paper, and the wind roared like nothing I had ever heard. My heart held a fear I didn’t know was possible. Jamaica, as beautiful as she is, was never built for something that powerful. The devastation was overwhelming.

But in the midst of this destruction, I also saw truth. Melissa exposed the communities that had been overlooked for far too long — neighborhoods with aging infrastructure, areas that needed rebuilding long before the storm arrived. She revealed what needed attention, restoration, and love. In a painful but necessary way, she opened our eyes.

Hurricane Melissa was more than a disaster. She was a wake-up call — a message that it is time to rebuild Jamaica stronger, safer, and more unified than ever before.

That is why I am honored to be part of this relief effort. I believe deeply in the mission to restore our communities, uplift the families who have lost everything, and bring Jamaica back to the paradise it has always been destined to be. I invite you to join us — in love, unity, and purpose. Your donation is not just charity; it is an investment in a nation rich in culture, rich in heart, and deserving of renewal.

Let’s rebuild Jamaica, bigger, better, and stronger than before.