JOHN’S HALL, Portland — Francita Renford lost her house to the Category 5 winds which fuelled Hurricane Melissa, and one year later she remains without a roof over her head.

Now she is pleading for any form of assistance particularly for her two children.

“I was trying to build up back already but I have a son sending to college and my daughter going to school and I am a single mother. I can’t afford to buy the materials to build it up,” Renford told the Jamaica Observer on Sunday as she sheltered from pouring rain under an umbrella at the spot where her house once stood.

She recounted her experience with Melissa in a parish which was spared the worst of its wrath.

Yvette Walters says while she has managed to do some repairs to her house which was damaged by Hurricane Melissa, her living conditions remain challenging. (Photo: Everard Owen)

“When I woke up on Wednesday morning (October 29, 2025) I saw that my house was mashed up, destroyed. My neighbours came and helped me and took up the stuff,” said Renford.

“In the evening, I saw the Member of Parliament [Isat Buchanan – Portland Eastern] come and I felt so good inside. I said, ‘Yes, him come, mi a go get help’. Later, I see Benny White [former mayor of Port Antonio] come. Everybody come and a take down my information, take my phone number, build up my hope, that mi a go get help.

“Since then I haven’t heard from anybody, I visit their office more than one time, more than two times. No help. The NIS (National Insurance Scheme) persons came on the Friday, still no help” added Renford.

As the rain pelted, Renford, under an umbrella looking at the foundation of what was once her house, told the Observer that she put her life on hold for her children’s benefit following Melissa.

In this October 29, 2025 file photo, Francita Renford looks at her furniture open to the elements after Hurricane Melissa destroyed her house in John’s Hall, Portland. (Photo: Everard Owen)

That’s the only reason why I haven’t built it up already. Mi a tek care a mi children’s education,” said Renford, even as she appealed for help.

“I would like them to please help me in any way possible with some material. If they give me some material, I will find a way to get it up,” added Renford.

She said since Melissa her family has been staying at a church sister’s home in John’s Hall in the Rio Grande Valley.

Renford’s mother Yvette Walters — who lives next to the flattened structure — also suffered damage to her house during the Category 5 storm.

She told the Observer that while she has not received any help she was nevertheless able to do some repairs.

“The kitchen was destroyed and wi patch it up. A kotch wi kotch it up as it was destroyed and nobody no come help wi. When the rain fall mi flood out… and we all have to sit up,” said Walters, who lives with some of her grandchildren.

“We nuh get no help; and persons come and take information but nothing. The NIS people come, and we go down there, but nothing at all. I feel bad as when it rains we have to set pan and catch water. We have to build good houses and take care of our families,” added Walters.