ST JAMES, Jamaica — Long before her home collapsed in the heavy winds of Hurricane Melissa on October 28, Trelawny teacher and businesswoman Joan Montaque, held fast to a simple belief: even in the darkest storms, hope has a way of showing up.

It was that hope, she recalls, that carried her out of danger, just moments before the ground beneath her building in the community of Litchfield gave way.

Montaque recounts that as she sat by a window, she observed sewage pipes cracking, followed by a second pipe bursting from the ground.

“I grabbed my bag with some documents and ran outside. God put me in the right place to see what I needed to see,” she recounted to JIS News.

Within hours, two concrete structures she occupied had collapsed. Yet Montaque remains firm in her belief that her survival was no accident.

“If I had not gotten out when I did, the building would have gone down with me, and maybe I would have died,” she stated.

Weeks later, as she stood amid the ruins of what was once her home, Montaque chose to focus, not on what had fallen, but on what still stood: life, faith, and the kindness of those around her.

She shares that neighbours arrived at daybreak after the hurricane, telling her they could not sleep knowing what she had endured. Her church family and the parents of her students continued to check in, offering encouragement and support as she rebuilds.

“It’s the love and support that keep me going. People have been calling, praying with me, sending messages… it gives me strength,” Montaque said.

Her encouragement to those who have suffered similar or even worse circumstances is to cling steadfastly to their faith.

“Just hold on to God. It’s just a test of faith. We don’t know what the next wave is going to be,” she remarked.

Drawing on the biblical story of Job, Montaque reflects that her experience is a reminder that hardship does not have the final say.

She acknowledges that restarting her life will be challenging. In addition to losing goods from her businesses, looters took advantage of her collapsed building.

While she has had to stay with friends until she rebuilds, Montague said she remains optimistic that “something good will come.”

Opportunities in this regard are beginning to unfold for Montaque, who recently participated in the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Connect joint visit with GraceKennedy General Insurance. The exercise conducted damage assessments and issued payouts within the community, offering tangible support to those affected.

The visit opened her eyes to opportunities she never knew existed. Montaque shared her excitement about registering her farm for insurance and signing up for her RADA ID, which she hopes will open the door to further assistance.

She anticipates that through this newly-established relationship, she will receive guidance on improved planting methods and marketing techniques to strengthen her yam business.

Additionally, Montaque remains hopeful she will be able to get tangible assistance to rebuild her home.

— JIS