Living Hope Jamaica (LHJ) successfully executed another Post-Hurricane Melissa intervention, this time to Balaclava, St. Elizabeth on Saturday 28 March 2026 with a visit to the Roger Clarke High School. During the event, LHJ engaged with officials and students from the Roger Clarke (Balaclava) and Lewisville (New Market) High Schools, both being present on-site. The outreach activity sought to serve the needs of impacted students and their families through provision of a mix of school supplies, personal care and non-perishable food items.

During the visit, officials from both institutions echoed similar sentiments reflecting their gratitude for the intervention. They further voiced the importance of continued support not just to their schools, but all schools in affected areas, being aware of multiple cases in which students as a result of the the hurricane’s impact, have still not returned to school, 5 months post-hurricane.

Amongst the school officials in attendance were:

• Mr. George Lewis – Principal of The Roger Clarke High School
• Mrs. Patricia Thompson – Vice Chair of The Roger Clarke High School Board
• Mrs. Rose-Marie Thompson-Collins – Principal of The Lewisville High School
• Dr. Yolandah Bloomfield – Upper School Guidance Counsellor of The Roger Clarke High School
• Koreen Foster-Panton – Actg. Vice Principal of The Roger Clarke High School
• Mr. Dadrian Stephenson – IT Lab Technician of The Roger Clarke High School
• Ms. Natasha Reid – Grade 7 Year Group Coordinator

Also in attendance were students from both institutions who assisted with the unloading and storage of donated items.

LHJ representatives on-hand at the event included:

• Dr. Dameon Black – Executive Director of LHJ
• Mrs. Letetia Black – Executive Director LHJ
• Mr. Stewart Dougan – LHJ Board Chairman
• Mr. Dirk Richards – LHJ Board Member
• Dr. Danielle Black –  LHJ Board Member
• Mrs. Minette Bryan – LHJ Volunteer and Representative of the Churches of Christ Jamaica
• Ms. Nordia Bromfield – LHJ Volunteer
• Mrs. Marcia Pottinger – LHJ Volunteer

LHJ’s Chairman, Mr. Stewart Dougan also commented on the group’s delight in being able to partner with schools in providing the well needed support, taking the organization back to its roots having as one of its core missions, supporting childhood development.

We at Living Hope Jamaica continue to encourage interested persons to continue making contributions whether through volunteerism, monetary contributions or contributions in kind. To register as a volunteer for future LHJ activities, contact us at:

(876) 815-2187 or (876) 817-7721

Financial donations can also be made using any of the methods listed on our, ‘Ways to Pay’ Page. Click the LHJ Logo below to be re-directed to our ‘Ways to Pay’ Page.

Living Hope Jamaica (LHJ) is in preparation mode for our Post-Hurricane Melissa intervention in Balaclava, St. Elizabeth on Saturday 28 March 2026. During this effort, we seek to serve the needs of impacted students and their families from 3 teaching institutions within the community and environs. Amongst them, is the Roger Clarke High School, which will be our staging point for the day.

We continue collections of:

• Non-perishable food items
• School shoes (Sizes 7-9)
• Other school-related items such as notebooks, school bags and writing implements
• Personal care items

We also continue to encourage interested persons to make themselves available as volunteers toward this worthwhile and noble effort. To register as a volunteer for this or future LHJ activities, contact us at:

(876) 815-2187 or (876) 817-7721

Financial donations can also be made using any of the methods listed on our, ‘Ways to Pay’ information sheet presented for your reference.

Post-Hurricane Melissa much of the focus was rightfully on the practicalities of recovery and restoration efforts. Given the proximity of Hurricane Melissa (28 Oct 2025) to the Yuletide Season, Christmas 2025 would undoubtedly be impacted. In light of this, LHJ sought to partner with St. Bess Pharmacy in Black River, St. Elizabeth, one of the most severely affected communities in Jamaica. This partnership took the form of financial sponsorship aimed at providing some joy and enjoyment for children from that and surrounding communities.

We remain grateful for the opportunity to have partnered with St. Bess Pharmacy and look forward to further opportunities to support recovery in Black River and the wider St. Elizabeth community.

With the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, 2025 many communities across the island and particularly those on the west coast of the Jamaica found themselves in significant need of material support and practical resources. Recognizing this, Living Hope Jamaica (LHJ) successfully partnered with the ‘Training Excellence network (TEN)’, to deliver and distribute well-needed supplies on November 22, 2025 in the second city of Montego Bay. Particular emphasis was placed on supporting families with infant children.

On the heels of our successful fund-raising Lapathon on July 26th, 2025, Living Hope Jamaica went on, on August 30, 2025 to host our annual Back-to-School Outreach Event in Kitson Town, St. Catherine.

This effort would not have been the success that it was, had it not been for the support of our generous donors and contributors.

Special mention is made of our corporate sponsors who funded our fund raising Lapathon in July, providing much of the funding and impetus that fuelled our Back-to-School initiative.

Among our gracious corporate sponsors were The AC Hotel, The Carimed Group, FLOW and Yummy. 

We extend sincerest thanks to all those who participated or contributed in any way and offer special thanks to our corporate sponsors without whom, the event would not have been possible. These sponsors included: The AC Hotel, The Carimed Group of Companies, FLOW and last but by no means least, Yummy.

On May 7, 2025, Living Hope Jamaica collaborated with the Annie Dawson Children’s Home to support the renovation of the facilities at their new location on Sunrise Crescent.

On-site volunteers included members and contributors to LHJ, members of The Kencot Christian Fellowship church in Kingston and Students from the St. Andrew high School for Girls.

As always, LHJ wishes to extend sincerest thanks to all those who made this initiative possible.