RG CARES Foundation brings relief to St James

Jamaica Gleaner | 2025-12-04 | Original Article

A convoy from the RG CARES Foundation recently brought relief supplies to communities across sections of South St James following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. Working with church leaders, police and residents, the team delivered over 300 care packages, children’s packets, water, device charging facilities, Wi-Fi access and an outside broadcast of ‘That’s A Rap’, meeting people where the need was greatest.

 

The outreach began at Christ Church Marley Anglican Church, where the destruction told its own story. The roof of the Adelphi Primary and Infant School had completely blown off during the hurricane and crashed into the church, tearing a large hole and causing extensive internal damage. Still, congregants gathered for a Eucharist led by Archdeacon Hollis Peter Lynch, worshipping amid damaged benches, broken structures, and a partial roof.

 

From the westward side of the church, we looked down into a densely populated wooded area, with most structures roofless. A local district constable, Lavern Hylton, from the Adelphi Police Station, said of the 27 communities served by the station, the area we were looking at was one of the worst affected. Not only were structures demolished, but set in a valley, the area also had several feet of water that rose there. A small building was pointed out, in which an 84-year-old resident drowned during the storm after her 86-year-old husband and her tried to escape in the raging winds and the rising water.

 

In the wider Adelphi area, residents shared accounts of survival but more so of loss. Nine-year-old Brianna recalled her experience at home during the hurricane: “Breeze lifted the zinc, and I helped Mommy and my sister to safety,” she said. Long-serving teacher Marie Clark described her heartbreak on seeing her school roofless but quickly pivoted to a more positive outlook. “Thank God we are alive. As long as we have life, we can start again,” she said.

 

Local businessman and proprietor of Big Dreams Hardware, Sandy Findlayson, said people who can manage are trying to put structures back together. He said while his business lost its roof and material that could not sustain water, he has tried to restock. He said after using his tractor to help clear roads and fill areas dug out by water, especially leading to the health clinic, he set about serving people’s building demands. However, he says there are some shortages.

 

“They are looking for zinc, zinc nails and lumber. We utilised all we had in stock and went out to Mandeville and Kingston to source stock … . There is a shortage of a lot of the items – zinc nail, zinc sheets in certain sizes are the main things”, he said.

 

The team later visited Lima, the wooded community in the valley below the church. This is where Marley Land bore some of the worst damage. Coral Johnson stood on the bare foundation of his home. “Only the foundation is left. I just need board and zinc to start again.”

 

Further up the hilly terrain of Marley Land, elderly resident Lloyd Chambers explained, “The whole roof gone. Everything inside wet up.” Like so many recipients on the day, he expressed his heartfelt thanks for the support received. He was one of several elderly and indigent residents who received care packages from RG CARES volunteers as they walked uphill, house to house, guided by resident Ingrid Daley.

 

The team’s final stop was at Chatham, at the Bethtephil Baptist Church (left without a roof as were the basic school and hall on property) where residents gathered to receive supplies. Pastor Rudolph Brooks, church head, thanked the RG CARES team for bringing relief to residents. He said the outreach came at a critical time for families still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Melissa. “We truly appreciate it and pray for God’s richest blessings on the wonderful service that (RJRGLEANER) continues to give,” he said.

 

From Marley Land to Adelphi, Lima to Chatham, through Spot Valley and back through Salt Marsh, one truth was clear:

 

St James was battered, but its people remain unbroken – and RG CARES was happy for a short while to stand with them as they seek to rebuild.

 

 

CANNED FOODS, HYGIENE ITEMS, AND WATER MAY BE DROPPED OFF AT:

 

Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands Sites:

 

• Church of the Good Shepherd, 193 Constant Spring Rd

 

- Days/Hours: Mon–Wed, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

 

• St. Luke’s Church, 89 Slipe Rd, Cross Roads

 

- Days/Hours: Mon–Wed, 7:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Thurs, 7:30 a.m.–12 noon

 

United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands sites:

 

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.

 

• Webster Memorial Church Hall

 

- 53 Half-Way-Tree Road

 

• Hope United Church

 

- 221 Old Hope Road

 

• Meadowbrook United Church

 

- 2 Flemington Drive

 

• Portmore United Church

 

- Bridgeport Road

 

Bank of Nova Scotia – New Kingston Branch

 

Transit #: 50575

 

JMD Acct #: 10822945 or USD Acct #: 10822946

 

Account Name: Television Jamaica Change a Life Jamaica

 

Account Type: Chequing Account

 

 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/rg-cares-melissa-hurricane-relief

 

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