AS communities across western Jamaica continue the journey of recovery following Hurricane Melissa, the Seprod Foundation provided comfort, joy, and reassurance to children and families through Christmas treats held on December 16 at Crawford Primary School in St Elizabeth and on December 18 at Seaford Town Primary School in Westmoreland.

Both institutions have been recently adopted by the Seprod Foundation in the aftermath of the October 28 hurricane, and the Christmas initiatives formed part of a broader commitment to remain present and supportive well beyond the immediate emergency response.

Volunteer teams from the Seprod Foundation, Seprod Group, and Musson Group came together to create memorable experiences for more than 200 children at each location, transforming the school grounds into spaces filled with activities, music, and holiday spirit.

Each Christmas treat offered children a full day of games and recreational activities, along with the distribution of gifts collected through a foundation-led toy drive.

Families also enjoyed festive meals, reinforcing a sense of togetherness and care at a time when many households remain in recovery mode.

“The Seprod Foundation is deeply grateful to our volunteers and partners whose continued support strengthens our rebuilding efforts. At a time when many families still face uncertainty, we felt it important to bring moments of joy and comfort to the children and communities we serve,” said Vanessa Nelson, project and programme coordinator at the Seprod Foundation.

She said through initiatives such as these, the Seprod Foundation continues to deliver hope and tangible support to communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. According to Nelson, working alongside its partners, the Seprod Foundation remains committed to rebuilding damaged shelters and implementing programmes that will strengthen schools and deliver lasting benefits to the wider communities they serve.

The celebration at Crawford Primary School was further enriched through collaboration with the Jenny Jenny Foundation, featuring performances from dancers of the local talent competition Dancin’ Dynamites, which highlighted the creativity and resilience that continue to thrive within the community despite recent challenges.

“We want to commend the Seprod Foundation for their vision, commitment, and investment into these communities. Their support goes beyond care packages, but also ensures the communities know there is hope. Melissa can take the houses, the doors, the windows, but Melissa can never take the spirit of Jamaica, and today we celebrate that,” said Jennifer “Jenny Jenny” Small, director of the Jenny Jenny Foundation.