We are collecting donations for Hurricane Melissa Relief through a GoFundMe page.
Hurricane Melissa Relief
Support Rural Women, Elders & Farmers in Manchester, Jamaica
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28th, 2025, as a Category 5 storm, the strongest hurricane to ever strike the island. While the southwest parishes were the hardest hit and have become the main focus of national and international relief, the south-central, rural communities of Manchester are also deeply affected but have not received the same support.
Homes have flooded, farms have been destroyed, and families are struggling. But because these areas are harder to reach and not as widely connected, many residents - especially elders and women - have been left without access to the aid that is circulating in other parts of the island.
Who Is Being Left Out
Elderly residents living in remote, hillside communities cannot travel to distribution points and often have no one nearby to advocate for them.
Women and girls, who are especially vulnerable right after a disaster, face shortages of essential items like feminine and hygiene products. With law enforcement and emergency services focused on rescue efforts, their safety and well-being require even more attention.
Farmers have seen their fields washed away, crops ruined, and in some cases, farms looted. Many are left with no tools, no seeds, and no way to restart - yet they are the ones who will be essential to restoring Jamaica’s food supply chain and long-term food security.
Ongoing Challenges
The aftermath is creating new and unexpected problems:
The water table has risen, causing ongoing flooding.
Underground springs have re-erupted in mountain communities, damaging homes and cutting off access.
Standing water is increasing mosquito populations and health concerns - Jamaica has an ongoing issue of dengue outbreaks and is now experiencing a leptospirosis outbreak.
Many communities still have no electricity, making battery-powered radios, flashlights, and solar lamps essential for receiving updates and staying safe.
How Your Support Will Help
We are raising funds to support these overlooked rural communities with intention and care. Our approach is simple:
✔️ We will collect funds and purchase some supplies in Canada, which we will ship to Jamaica.
✔️Our main goal is to purchase products directly on the island, reducing shipping and administrative costs while also injecting money back into the local economy and supporting Jamaican businesses.
Funds raised will go toward:
Hygiene products and essential items for women and girls
Tools, seeds, and farming supplies that help farmers rebuild their livelihoods
School supplies for children who lost their belongings in the flooding
Clean water, household items, and necessities
Battery-powered radios, flashlights, and (affordable) solar lamps for families without electricity
Food and supplies for elders in hard-to-reach communities
The funds raised will go towards the communities of Christiana, Devon, Halifax and Bethany. And all donations will be tracked, recorded and published to ensure ethical use and transparency.
We want to not only provide help for today, but also ensure that families - especially farmers - have the tools to sustain themselves tomorrow.
Why This Matters
Rural communities in Manchester are strong, but they cannot rebuild alone. Your contribution helps families who are quietly struggling through this disaster without the same level of support reaching them.
Every donation makes a real difference. Whether it helps a farmer restart a field, a child return to school, or a woman access essentials, your support directly impacts someone’s ability to rebuild their life.
About Sunshine Island Project
This effort is being organized through the Sunshine Island Project, a grassroots initiative dedicated to supporting Jamaican communities - especially women, elders, and farmers in rural areas. In the new year, we will continue to develop our organization and welcome volunteers, partners, and supporters who wish to be part of this work.
Thank you for standing with rural Manchester during this difficult time. Your support brings hope, stability, and the resources needed to rebuild with dignity.