TAP Hurricane Melissa Jamaica Update: November 1, 2025

As communication slowly improves, we are getting more updates from our partners in Jamaica. What we’re hearing continues to be difficult.

Melody House & Sid’s Family

Tonja was able to speak briefly with Sid twice yesterday before the calls dropped. He visited Melody House and simply said: “It’s a mess.”

He is now trying to locate critical medication for his daughter, as it may become harder to find in the coming days. We are also working on getting some to them directly.

Robin’s Nest Children’s Home

We heard from one of the Pod Moms who shared that her family is safe, despite losing the roof of their home and their water tanks. “We are thankful to still be alive.”

The staff at Robin’s Nest are working around the clock to care for the kids and start cleaning up. The children are making the best of things and even played briefly with scooters and bikes yesterday. But the grounds are still full of debris, and safe play space is very limited.

One bright moment: their team was able to clear the road just enough to get a few staff members home and bring back diesel fuel — with less than a day’s supply left, it came just in time.

There is still so much work ahead, and every update reminds us how urgently help is needed.

Please keep Jamaica in your heart.

Give if you can: travelingwithapurpose.org

100% of donations go directly to support recovery efforts.

Your support ensures we’re ready to respond when and where it is needed most.

TAP January 2026 Trip Postponed

January Trip Postponed — But the Work Ahead Is More Important Than Ever

We have made the hard decision to postpone our January service trip to Jamaica following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. This was not an easy call, but safety comes first, and the situation on the ground makes it impossible to move forward as planned.

We are working toward a rescheduled trip in spring 2026. When the time comes, we will be ready to help our partners rebuild what was lost and restore hope in their communities. Our next trip will require many helping hands and financial support to make that possible.

Between now and then, we are focused on short-term relief efforts. If you are looking for a way to help right now, donations are the most immediate need. Every dollar we receive will be used to support our partners as they recover and rebuild.

Donate or learn more at travelingwithapurpose.org

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for ongoing updates and opportunities to support.

We are heartbroken by the damage in Jamaica, but we are not giving up. We will be back, and we hope you will be there with us.

If you are interested in joining the next service trip to help rebuild or want to support from home in the meantime, please fill out the volunteer interest form now available on our website.

www.travelingwithapurpose.org/hurricane-relief-volunteer

TAP Hurricane Melissa Jamaica Update: October 31, 2025

We’ve now heard from a few of our partners and friends across the island. While we are so grateful to report that they are safe, the damage they are facing is overwhelming.

Sid & His Family

Sid and his family are safe, but their home and belongings were not. Everything inside was destroyed by water damage. He was able to make it into town to briefly call, but the signal was poor and we couldn’t get more details. His area remains without power, and many rural roads have been completely washed away by mudslides.

Robin’s Nest Children’s Home

• The main buildings still stand, but much of the campus has been battered by Hurricane Melissa.

• The porch of the main house (green pod) was torn away

• The roof of the preschool was destroyed

• The chicken coop is gone

• The playground was knocked down like a stack of Lincoln Logs

• A newly built backstop and light fixtures behind the basketball hoop were twisted and crushed

• Palm trees are down, windows are broken

• The old church at the bottom of the hill was completely leveled

Widespread Power Outages

The image we shared shows what many are facing — vast darkness. The bright area in the bottom is Kingston. In contrast, the rest of the island, especially rural areas like where Sid lives, remains in the dark. Montego Bay is on the northwest coast. Starlink is being deployed in some areas to restore communication, but it is still very limited.

Please continue to hold our partners in your hearts and help us spread the word.

We’re still working to understand the best way forward and how we can help our partners recover. Your donation ensures we’re ready to respond as soon as a clear path emerges. 100% of funds go directly to our partners in Jamaica. Give today at: travelingwithapurpose.org

TAP Hurricane Melissa Jamaica Update: October 30, 2025

We’ve received word from our partners at Melody House in Jamaica, and the news is deeply difficult to share.

Most importantly, the girls and staff are safe. But the damage to their home and surrounding property is extensive.

The home sustained extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa. The roof and solar energy system — both completed in 2023 as part of a major project that so many of you helped make possible — were both hit hard. The solar panels were blown completely off, and the roof was once again compromised. We had hoped this system would be a source of stability in emergencies like this one, but sadly, it was not spared.

The destruction continues around the property. The chicken coop roof is gone, the garden is destroyed, and the large fruit trees that once helped provide food are now shredded or uprooted. Inside the home, water has gotten in, soaking mattresses and belongings.

Our most urgent concern right now is getting food and clean drinking water to the girls and staff.

We have not yet heard from many of our other partners on the island, but we know the need is great and growing.

You can help

We are collecting donations through our website, and 100% of what we receive will go directly to recovery efforts at Melody House and with our partners across Jamaica.

If you’re able, please give and help us spread the word:

https://www.travelingwithapurpose.org

Thank you for standing with us and with our friends in Jamaica in this incredibly hard time.