Trelawny forms my roots. Bunkers Hill on my Father’s Side, Falmouth, on my Mother’s. And though I was born and raised in Montego Bay, St. James, another parish ravaged by Melissa, my sisters and I spent many summers there with our grandparents and Aunts.

My Aunts, Uncle, and cousins still live there, and the house, the home in which I remember warm meals and lots of laughter, is now all but gone. So my focus to help them and many others, through this mammoth recovery from Melissa, will be squarely on Trelawny.

I would like to set an ambitious goal of US$50,000 to cover these very urgent needs.

• Zinc, Nails & Tarpaulins (Shelter): materials to repair and protect damaged homes.
• Drinking Water: bottled water for immediate distribution and multiple community water tanks to be refilled by water trucks in the weeks ahead.
• Food: non-perishable food parcels and hot meals where possible to feed families now.
• Cleaning & Personal Care: toilet paper, wet wipes (for when water is limited), sanitary pads and underwear for women and girls.
• Disinfectants: Dettol, bleach and other cleaning supplies to reduce disease risk.

Many of my friends overseas have asked how they can help. This is how. Help me help Trelawny.