WHEN Hurricane Melissa tore through sections of St Elizabeth, Bernadette Baker clung to her two disabled sons as howling winds ripped the roof from a part of their house, exposing them to the terrifying force of the Category 5 storm.

As rain poured in and debris flew overhead, the boys screamed in fear, unsure if they would survive the night.

“When the roof started lifting, my sons started screaming,” Baker said, her voice trembling. “They could not understand what was happening. All I could do was hold them and pray.”

For Baker, a single mother and full-time caregiver, the hurricane was not just a natural disaster, it was a life-threatening ordeal that left her family traumatised and homeless.

As Melissa intensified, the family had nowhere to run. With mobility challenges and limited resources, evacuation was impossible. Ripping away sheets of zinc, the storm soaked beds, clothing, and medical supplies.

“Water was everywhere. The wind was so loud we could not hear each other properly. I honestly thought that was the end,” Baker said.

By morning, their home was practically uninhabitable — roofless, waterlogged, and unsafe.

Hope arrived when the J Wray & Nephew (JWN) Foundation learnt of Baker’s situation and quickly mobilised support to rebuild the damaged home, placing special emphasis on restoring safety for her two vulnerable sons.

Garfene Grandison, general manager at JWN Foundation, said in a JWN release that they quickly coordinated corporate partners, materials, and skilled labour to ensure the work was done quickly and properly.

“After immediately mobilising relief packages, we knew that it was simply not enough, especially to our communities that have given so much to us, so we wanted to give back in a way that had more of a long-term impact.

“This idea and this project was not just about fixing a roof, this was about protecting a mother and her two sons who are already living with extraordinary challenges. No family should have to endure that kind of fear,” Grandison said.

Edge Chem, the go-to partner for this initiative, provided paint, manpower, and key building materials to support the roof replacement and restoration work.

Ockino Petrie, chief executive officer (CEO) at Edge Chem Jamaica Limited, said for families like Baker’s, disaster recovery is not just about rebuilding structures, it is about restoring safety, stability, and peace of mind.

“When we heard about this family, we knew we had to act. Safe housing is a basic human need, especially for persons with disabilities. We are proud to be part of restoring dignity and safety to their home,” Petrie said.

In relation to the reroofing, the team from Muir’s Construction worked diligently to replace the roof and secure the structure, while also rebuilding a safe space for Baker’s livestock, including chickens, goats, and rabbits.

“This wasn’t just another job site,” said Lawrence Muir, CEO at Muir’s Construction. “We are always giving back to the community. Knowing children with disabilities live here made us extra careful; we wanted to ensure this roof could withstand future storms,” he said.

Additional support came from Unique Business Options, which assisted with logistics and recovery needs. Project Manager Carlton Francis said disaster recovery requires collaboration.

“What moved us most was the human side of this story — a mother doing everything she can for her children, a mother that had an entrepreneurial spirit and doing everything she can for her family. We were honoured to support this effort,” he said.

Today, Baker stands inside her repaired home with tears of relief. The roof is secure, and she now has a new kitchen built, new housing for her livestock, her home freshly painted and her sons are calmer — and the fear has been replaced with cautious hope.

“I can finally sleep again,” she said softly. “My boys feel safe. I will never forget what these organisations did for us.”

Randeen Thomas, an employee of the Joy Spence Appleton Rum Estate Experience and a JWNF volunteer, lends a hand to repaint a section of Bernadette Baker’s house, which was damaged as a result of Hurricane Melissa. (Photo: Mohic Ferguson)

The JWN Foundation and Edge Chem team that spearheaded the rehabilitation project (from left) Edge Chem CEO Ockino Petrie, Edge Chem General Manager Mellissa McHaragh, JWN Foundation General Manager Garfene Grandison, and JWN Foundation Project Manager Samantha Blake. (Photo: Mohic Ferguson)