When Hurricane Melissa approached Jamaica, Judith Falloon-Reid, a Jamaican living in Panama, saw what was coming long before the storm made landfall. She had lived through major hurricanes while doing relief work in the United States and The Bahamas. Watching the storm grow brought her what she described as a feeling of déjà vu, and she knew Jamaica would need help. That early awareness pushed her to organize a relief concert in Panama to support recovery efforts even before the storm reached the island.
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A Quick Decision to Start “Rise Again Jamaica”
Falloon-Reid and her husband, Michael, own the Reggae Café in Puerto Armuelles. With no other first-generation Jamaicans in the area, they felt it was the natural place to start. “For us it was a no-brainer to organize a fund raiser at our place,” she told Xavier Murphy from the Jamaicans.com team. They named the event Rise Again Jamaica.
Their first call was to Jamaican musician Dudley Quest, followed by friends who had recently formed a band. The support came together quickly, and people traveled from up to two hours away to help raise funds for Jamaica.
Building a Second Concert in Panama City
Knowing that Panama City had a larger Jamaican and Caribbean community, Falloon-Reid expanded the effort. She reached out to Jamaican author Diane Batchelor, who suggested calling the event From Panama With Love. A Panamanian friend, Ernesto, offered his Casa Colon restaurant as the venue.
With support from Allison and local band Shorty and Slim, and with IrieTimes.com agreeing to stream the concert online, the second event took shape. Because both venues could hold only about 50 people, streaming was important in reaching more supporters and encouraging donations.
A Mixed Community Came Together
The audience at the Puerto Armuelles concert consisted mostly of expats from several countries. At the Panama City event, the crowd was made up of Caribbean nationals, including many Jamaicans. Honorary Consul Judith Edwards attended, along with former Jamaican Film Commissioner Rene Robinson and the wife of the German ambassador, May-Ann Mets-Schimellin, who is also Jamaican.
Choosing Performers Was Simple
Falloon-Reid, a spoken-word artist, performed at the concert. The other performers were volunteers who offered their talent on short notice. Her goal was to gather anyone willing to support Jamaica in a moment of need.
A Night Filled With Purpose
While people enjoyed the music, Falloon-Reid said there was a clear sense of urgency in the air. The crowds were small because of venue limits, but the community gave generously. Supporters came ready to help, and attendees understood the goal of the event.
Ensuring Funds Reached Jamaica Quickly and Safely
To make sure donations made a direct impact, Falloon-Reid partnered with Jamaica Youth for Christ (JYFC). She and her husband have volunteered with the organization for decades and trusted that 100% of the funds would go toward relief efforts already happening on the ground.
Funds were wired to JYFC, and Falloon-Reid personally brought additional funds when she traveled to Jamaica to help with recovery.
A Mix of Gratitude and Sadness
Seeing the donations come in brought mixed emotions. Falloon-Reid said it felt good to contribute but overwhelming knowing the level of need back home. She compared it to adding “one-one cocoa” to a very large basket, knowing that recovery would take time and ongoing support.
Strengthening Diaspora Connections in Panama
The effort brought Jamaican and Caribbean communities in Panama closer together. The team even reached out to the Panama City Mayor’s office, since the mayor has Jamaican roots. They learned that the city was already preparing to send aid and expressed interest in cooperating on future efforts. Falloon-Reid said the initiative increased awareness of Jamaican culture, especially in her part of Panama.
Challenges and Limitations
Organizing the concerts came with few obstacles. Venues were available, and people understood the crisis because of international media coverage. The main limitation was the size of the venues, but the team made the best use of what was available.
How Donations Have Helped So Far
According to Falloon-Reid, the funds raised have already made an impact. JYFC has provided food, clothing, medicine, and other essentials to communities in Western Jamaica. By November 30, their teams had made seven trips and reached more than 700 families.
Falloon-Reid also partnered with Dr. Opal Palmer Adisa and poet Malachi Smith on a book drive for children. JYFC supported the effort by providing food, refreshments, and books for schools.
A Message to the Diaspora
Falloon-Reid encouraged Jamaicans abroad to take action in whatever way they can. She said rebuilding will take time and requires every effort, from supporting single families to assisting schools or entire communities.
A Long-Term Commitment
Falloon-Reid said the work is far from over. She is currently in Jamaica doing relief work and is identifying a basic school to support as part of a long-term initiative.
