Wed Sep 11 05:06:00 UTC 2024: ## Jamaican Diaspora Steps Up to Rebuilding Homes After Hurricane Beryl

**St. Elizabeth, Jamaica** – The JAMAICANS Abroad Helping Jamaicans at Home (JAHJAH) Foundation has shifted its focus from post-Hurricane Beryl relief supplies to rebuilding homes for those who lost their homes during the July storm. The foundation, in collaboration with Lowe’s store in Brooklyn, New York, has secured materials including plywood, zinc, and other supplies to construct six houses for indigent residents in St. Elizabeth.

The initiative is spearheaded by community development specialist Jermaine Porter, who along with the Rotary Club, identified the most vulnerable residents in need of urgent housing. These individuals, many of whom are senior citizens over 60, are currently living in shelters or with relatives.

“The houses will be one-bedroom units with bathroom facilities, ensuring the comfort of these elderly residents,” said Porter. “Many of them received food packages after the hurricane but desperately need permanent housing, and that’s where JAHJAH Foundation is stepping in.”

JAHJAH Foundation founder Dr. Trevor Dixon, who visited the island after the hurricane, emphasized the critical need for assistance. “After witnessing the devastation firsthand, we knew that donating money alone wasn’t enough. Our donors and volunteers in the US rallied behind the cause, and with their support, we were able to pack a 40-foot container with food, construction materials, and other necessities,” said Dixon.

The initiative has received substantial support from various organizations including Trans Caribbean Express Shippers, the original Dumpling Shop in Bronx, the Union of Jamaican Alumni Association, and the Jamaican Nurses Group of New York and New Jersey. Lowe’s department store in Brooklyn also provided significant discounts on construction materials.

The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) played a crucial role in facilitating the smooth arrival and clearance of the container, receiving gratitude from Dr. Dixon and highlighting their commitment to serving the Jamaican community.

With the building materials in place, the construction of the homes will begin soon, offering hope and a renewed sense of security to the affected residents of St. Elizabeth. The JAHJAH Foundation’s dedication to rebuilding lives following Hurricane Beryl exemplifies the power of the Jamaican diaspora to come together and support their homeland in times of need.

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