NEGRIL, Westmoreland — Nearly a year after Hurricane Melissa devastated south-western Jamaica, relief efforts have slowed significantly, leaving Negril’s artisanal fishing community in an ongoing state of struggle.

Many local fishers remain unable to repair or replace their damaged vessels, compounding an already difficult reality — local waters are yielding far fewer fish than before.

Determined to address both food security and educational gaps in the recovering parish, the Verona Foundation recently executed its first major post-hurricane donation drive in Westmoreland. The initiative focused on the bustling ecosystem of Negril’s local fishery sector.

More than 150 school bags filled with essential supplies, including maths, English, science, and social studies textbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and glue sticks, were delivered to the children of fisherfolk. Families also received 150 specialised care packages designed around a ‘meal-in-a-bag’ concept.

Anika Robinson issues school bags to children of fisherfolk during the donation by the Verona Foundation and partners in Negril. (Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Each package contained rice, flour, canned proteins such as mackerel, and various ingredients needed to assemble complete household meals, alongside essential sanitary supplies.

The project received additional local backing through Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green, who contributed textbooks tailored specifically for the families of fisherfolks.

The Verona Foundation was established in 2025 by Kerry-Ann Henry — a United States resident born in Jamaica — in memory of her late mother.

“I started the foundation to create a legacy of generosity,” Henry shared.

Children sit by their parent’s fish stall in Negril.(Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

“We don’t want to only support Jamaica when it’s a crisis; we want to perpetually support Jamaica in any way we can,” added Henry.

While the foundation previously extended aid to other areas across the island, targeting Negril’s fish market was inspired by philanthropic liaison and Negril native Anika Robinson.

“I always go to the fish market. It’s somewhere that I love, one of the few places where I really see Jamaicans being Jamaicans,” Robinson said.

“It’s an ecosystem in and of itself. I see the people who scrape the fish, the people who weave the baskets, the people who fix the boats. I know the struggles that they have from being here Sunday after Sunday,” added Robinson.

Having finished a major television production on September 26, Marlon Benloss seized the opportunity to be part of the distribution of relief supplies to a child.(Photo: Rosalee Wood Condell)

Recognising the specific hardships facing fisherfolks, Robinson and Henry partnered to maximise their impact.

“A little goes a long way when you really need it,” Robinson added.

The Verona Foundation acts as a bridge between overseas resources and Jamaican communities.

Supplies for this drive were funded through contributions from international donors — including supporters of a campaign which raised US$45 donations for Henry’s 45th birthday — and the Baratti Foundation.

For a visiting New York City television professional, the timing of the initiative felt like divine intervention.

Having finished a major television production contract on the Friday, September 26, just as a disaster response effort was scheduled for the next day, Marlon Benloss seized the opportunity to pivot to grass roots relief work.

“I work in television normally, and literally, Friday was my end date, and this was happening on the Saturday. So, in my mind, that’s God telling me to go,” Benloss reflected.

“There’s definitely a sense of community here that you don’t experience in New York. Everyone has a task — the fishermen fish, the guy who fixes the boat fixes it, the guy who makes the trap makes the trap…Outside of that, the kids are just full of joy. It brings warmth to my heart,” added Benloss.

Despite the late-September timing of the donations, relief workers discovered that many families were still far from fully equipped for the new school year.

“We were afraid that since it was so late in September people would already have what they need for school,” Robinson said.

“But through conversations, we realised that some people still didn’t have enough books. That got me teary, because people really are still recovering,” added Robinson.

When the foundation’s supplies ran short, Robinson purchased extra rice, flour, and sanitary products out of her pocket to ensure no family walked away empty-handed.

Moving forward, she hopes Jamaicans will take inspiration from the solidarity shown within the fishing community itself.

“I want to encourage Jamaicans that they don’t have to be rich to help out when they can, especially when it involves children,” said Robinson.

“While we are grateful for the help we received from overseas, I think sometimes we heavily rely on outside help when we can do more to be our brother’s keeper. That spirit of kindness among fisherfolk inspired me to give back to them. Maybe because they all experience how rough sea life is, they seem a little kinder to each other — even while competing to sell their catch,” added Robinson who pointed out that plans are in place to do a similar donation every three months in the immediate future.

Since Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has introduced a Boat and Equipment Retooling Initiative through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), among other measures to help fisherfolks.

Several non-governmental organisations, including the Sandals Foundation, have also provided support to fisherfolk badly affected by the Category 5 storm.