FOR JN Foundation and St John Ambulance Jamaica, ongoing visits to Hurricane Melissa-battered communities in western Jamaica have reinforced a sense of resolve rather than fatigue. With the next hurricane season just under three months away, persistent needs in remote areas have deepened their commitment to continue serving vulnerable populations.

Some of the mainly small farming communities remain without basic amenities, which in some cases, are challenges that existed before the storm. Harmony Hall, nestled between Maggotty and the Maroon town of Accompong in northern St Elizabeth, is one of those communities. Although budding leaves on pimento trees hint at recovery and resilience, the absence of electricity, limited water supply, and distant health services leave residents highly exposed to future climatic shocks like Hurricane Melissa.

Home to about 200 people, the hillside community was visited in March by the JN Foundation and its partner, St John Ambulance Jamaica. For many residents, the Shiloh Apostolic Church has become a central refuge. Despite damage to its roof, the church has remained open, offering not only spiritual guidance but also practical support to the community.

“We try to generate an environment where we give back to the community,” explained lead minister and obstetrician-gynaecologist Dr Rodean Wallace.

A native of the community, Dr Wallace now lives in St Ann and practises in Falmouth, Trelawny, but continues to oversee the 25-plus congregation following the passing of its two previous pastors.

“It’s not just to cater to the spiritual needs, but the whole man, which has different aspects — physical, spiritual, emotional. So, the [aim] is to have a balanced approach to spiritual life and to let them know that apart from being spiritual, your health and all these things are needed,” Dr Wallace underscored.

Blue tarpaulins where roofs once were, farms destroyed, and no electricity, tell the story of livelihoods disrupted in Harmony Hall. With limited assistance, residents have been rebuilding slowly, Dr Wallace said.

“Yams, bananas, everything is flat. We are all in the mode of rebuilding, replanting, redeveloping, so the whole starting over, that’s what we [the church] are here for and having Jamaica National coming in, it’s really a good initiative to show the people that persons care,” he said.

The communities chosen for intervention by the JN Foundation are based on their ongoing needs since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, including their access or the return of access to basic amenities. Through his brother and a friend, Dr Wallace was able to outline the community’s needs to the foundation.

Among those who benefited from the outreach was 83-year-old George Williams. Although being treated for hypertension since the Category 5 storm, the elderly man has been experiencing headaches, dizziness and swelling in his feet. With the nearest health centre in Maggotty — about 10 miles away — he was grateful for the services brought by the foundation, St John Ambulance, and the church.

Health issues aside, he remains in good spirits and focused on rebuilding with whatever little help he can get.

“Is one side of my house Melissa left. All now the tarpaulin don’t put on yet,” he revealed, explaining that half the structure was destroyed along with his farm. He is currently living with his brother.

Experiencing ailments since the hurricane, Judene Beckford also made the journey to seek care, travelling from Bethsalem, about five miles away, with her two young children. She has been dealing with persistent back and shoulder pains, as well as a skin condition. Unable to see her usual doctor in Santa Cruz or attend the Maggotty clinic, she welcomed the opportunity for treatment.

A self-employed entrepreneur, Beckford lost both her shop and home in Lacovia during the storm, which resulted in her relocation to Bethsalem. Her grandmother, who she cares for, also experienced severe damage to her home.

“Right now, my house has no roof,” she related in a broken voice. “And my grandmother house, it has no roof either. Not even tarpaulin on it right now and everything virtually destroyed. I have to go dump everything.”

At the end of the day, more than 60 residents were treated by the St John team. According to volunteer nurse Karen Bogle Miller, who has served with St John for nearly 30 years, most of the residents had hypertension and diabetes.

“I must thank the JN Foundation for what it is doing. I must also thank the St John team because we had medication on board, [which] was quite beneficial to the persons who came out,” the family nurse stated.

The JN Foundation and St John Ambulance Jamaica say they will continue their outreach efforts to other communities in St Elizabeth and southern Trelawny. Their efforts are being funded by Corus International, an ensemble of faith-based organisations working together for a safer, stronger and more prosperous world.

Omar Wright (left), manager, environment and community development at JN Foundation, and volunteer Ramon Smith take relief packages for residents of Harmony Hall.

Dr Rodean Wallace, obstetrician-gynaecologist and lead minister at Shiloh Apostolic Church in Harmony Hall, St Elizabeth, talks to residents about their health as they wait to see medical professionals from St John Ambulance Jamaica.

Pimento trees, one of the main crops in Harmony Hall, St Elizabeth, are springing back to life after damage from Hurricane Melissa.

A medical doctor from St John Ambulance Jamaica attends to a resident of Harmony Hall, St Elizabeth, during a recent visit to the remote community.

St John Ambulance Jamaica Nurse Karen Bogle Miller (right) performs a basic medical check for a patient in Harmony Hall, St Elizabeth, during a recent visit to the remote community.