We are heading back to Melody House this spring for two hands-on work trips to repair damage from Hurricane Melissa. These are not our typical TAP trips. They are short, intense, and centered around hard physical work with big impact.
We are looking for resourceful, can-do volunteers — the MacGyver types. If you can think on your feet, adapt on the fly, and lead a project without needing constant direction, this is your moment.
Learn more HERE
Life across Jamaica is still far from normal. Many communities are slowly digging out, while others remain isolated due to blocked roads, downed communication lines, and widespread power outages. Access to fuel, clean water, and basic necessities continues to be a growing challenge in many areas — especially in the west. Relief is reaching some, but not all.
And while the headlines may quiet down, the recovery is just beginning.
Tourism is the heartbeat of Jamaica's economy. It provides jobs, supports families, and fuels local communities. But in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the landscape has changed — not just physically, but emotionally and socially.
Some areas are still welcoming visitors, and those who rely on tourism are doing all they can to continue showing up with warmth and care. But the truth behind the smiles is heavy.
Many tourism workers are doing their best to keep things running while facing their own personal challenges at home. They continue to show up with kindness and professionalism, even as they deal with loss, uncertainty, and the difficult realities left behind by the storm.
If you are traveling to Jamaica in the coming weeks or months, we urge you to come with more than just your suitcase. Come with empathy. Come ready to tip generously, ask how people are doing, and listen with your whole heart. Recognize that the tray carrying your Red Stripe or jerk chicken may be in the hands of someone who went home last night to a house without a roof.
And if you are not traveling, this is still your moment to help. Whether through donations, spreading awareness, or offering support from afar, we each have a role to play in helping this beautiful island recover.
Let us honor the spirit of the Jamaican people not just by enjoying their paradise, but by honoring the humanity of those who make your visit possible.
The situation in Jamaica remains incredibly difficult, and our hearts are heavy as we continue to hear from our partners.
Photos show significant damage. The lunch breezeway roof is gone, a tree crashed through the building, and the playground is destroyed. A once joyful space for children now needs to be rebuilt.
Sid, our longtime driver and friend, shared that there is no work right now, which means no way to repair or replace anything. Their windows and door were blown out, soaking and ruining everything inside.
Sid's daughter needs important medical care. We are trying to source her medication and are exploring how to get Sid’s wife and children off the island temporarily so she can get the help she needs.
Getting fuel, food, and clean drinking water is growing harder each day. Communities are facing mounting desperation as access remains limited.
This is where our TAP teams stay during service trips. It sustained damage, with ankle-deep water throughout. Furniture was moved under the concrete roof for protection. Locals believe the death toll will rise, especially in Freeport where search efforts have just begun. She told us repeatedly, "It’s bad, it’s real bad."
While official reports say the death toll is low, locals believe the number is higher. In Freeport, search teams have only recently begun recovering bodies. Cadaver dogs have now arrived to aid the effort.
Please continue to share our updates and keep our friends in Jamaica in your hearts. We know many of you are eager to help and we are very grateful.
Learn more or donate at: travelingwithapurpose.org
Across the island, the situation remains difficult. Access to clean water is becoming more urgent as damage to water systems and power outages are preventing consistent treatment and delivery. Many communities are still without electricity, and recovery is slow, especially in rural areas. Roads remain blocked, supplies are limited, and communication is challenging.
Due to dirty water and infrastructure damage, some families are resorting to using river water or drinking coconut water just to stay hydrated. The Ministry of Health says restoring hospitals and critical services is a top priority.
More than 60% of the island is still without electricity. Helicopters have been air-dropping some food to areas that cannot be reached by road. People are walking miles to check on loved ones and search for basic supplies.
At least 19 deaths have been confirmed, with officials warning the toll may rise.
▪ A former resident of Melody House reached out and said simply: “It was horrible.”
▪ Robin’s Nest was able to secure two bulldozers to begin clearing the road. This is a major step forward that allows staff to travel, get supplies, and check on loved ones.
We are grateful for every update we receive and remain committed to supporting our partners through recovery.
💛 Please share this post to help raise awareness.
💸 100% of donations support recovery efforts in Jamaica. Give at travelingwithapurpose.org
As communication slowly improves, we are getting more updates from our partners in Jamaica. What we’re hearing continues to be difficult.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
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
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.
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.