In the soft light of a Friday morning at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), the campus felt changed. Mere weeks had passed since Hurricane Melissa disrupted lives across the island, and many students were still navigating the emotional and financial aftershocks. Amid the quiet resilience, there was a longing for something simple — something grounding — to remind them that the community still held them close.

That comfort arrived gently, carried on a breeze drifting across the grounds.

Reggae Jammin had set up a breakfast pop-up at the heart of campus, not for spectacle but for solace. The familiar sounds and scents of the grill drew students and staff who had grown accustomed to moving through heavy days while juggling far more than coursework alone. What they found was a space where the morning felt lighter — a reminder that nourishment can be an act of care.

“We have always stood beside young people,” said Navron Henry, brand manager at Reggae Jammin. “After a moment as difficult as Hurricane Melissa, showing up for them was not a question — it was a responsibility. Even the smallest act of kindness can remind someone that their burden is shared, and that they are not facing this moment alone.”

Across the pop-up, the gesture quickly took root. Students lingered over their meals, not just for the food, but for the feeling — warmth, generosity, and the ease of community. It became clear that the morning was offering something deeper than breakfast.

UTech Students’ Union Council President Percival Roberts expressed what many were feeling.

“Beyond the plate of food, this outpouring of support from Reggae Jammin represents hope, stability, and genuine compassion at a time when our students need it most,” he said. “Many of our students are still recovering from the challenges brought on by Hurricane Melissa and knowing that partners like Reggae Jammin are willing to stand with them — showing up physically, providing breakfast pop-ups, and distributing care packages — has made a tremendous difference. This support reminds our students that they are not facing these hardships alone.”

In that shared moment — between sips of juice — the laughter that slowly resurfaced, and the quiet thank-yous offered across the grill — something important settled over the campus. What unfolded was more than a breakfast service. It was a communal exhale, a reminder that recovery is not only about infrastructure or finances, but about people showing up for one another.

On a campus still carrying the weight of the season, Reggae Jammin brought a morning of relief — an offering that fed more than hunger. It fed hope.

The dedicated Reggae Jammin team (from left) Marketing Coordinator Kieron Burey, Marketing Officer Ingrid Banton, and Brand Manager Navron Henry — on campus to share encouragement, care, and community through food.

Freshly grilled, fully loaded Reggae Jammin hot dogs bringing a welcome moment of ease and Jamaican flavour to the UTech campus.

Percival Roberts, president of the UTech Students’ Union Council, and Jonelle Thomas, director of health & safety, standing with the Reggae Jammin team in support of students across campus. 

A vibrant display at the heart of UTech, where the Reggae Jammin team created a space filled with connection, support, and true Jamaican hospitality.