When Hurricane Melissa tore through southern Jamaica, few communities were hit as hard as Parottee, a quiet fishing village along the St. Elizabeth coastline. Homes were ripped apart, fishing boats destroyed, and families displaced as sand and debris flooded living spaces, in some cases reaching waist height. For many residents, the storm did not only take physical possessions; it upended livelihoods, stability and, for some, the sense of safety that once defined village life.
Weeks later, the emotional wounds remain deep. Children are grappling with fear, elders are mourning the loss of neighbours, and several families are still searching for loved ones who were swept away by the storm. Yet in the middle of this devastation, a determined, women-led coalition has stepped forward with a powerful message: recovery is possible, and Parottee will not be abandoned.
A Community-Led Effort to Rebuild a Fishing Village’s Livelihood
The recovery effort in Parottee began with Dr. Bridgette Barrett, who launched an “Adopt-a-Community” initiative in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Her efforts quickly grew into a coordinated coalition that now includes Young Women and Men of Purpose (YWOP), Grace to Grow Mentorship and Training, and more than 50 volunteers offering skills in building, project management, counselling, community development and spiritual care. What began as a six-week project evolved into a six-month intervention once the true scale of destruction became clear.
Parottee, a close-knit fishing village, suffered both physical and economic devastation. Homes were filled with sand and debris, roofs were torn away and several structures became unsafe. Many fisherfolk lost their boats, engines, traps and refrigeration equipment, cutting off their primary means of income. Recognising the urgency of these needs, the coalition began rebuilding homes, repairing roofs, clearing debris, furnishing living spaces and conducting assessments to prepare for boat repairs and replacement of essential equipment. Plans are also under way to provide generators and refrigerators so fishers can safely store their catch once they return to sea.
“This is not a touch-and-go effort,” said Heneka Watkis-Porter, coalition member. “The need is overwhelming, and the trauma is deep. We will be here for six months because that is what the people of Parottee deserve.”
A Holistic and Hopeful Recovery
What makes the Parottee intervention remarkable is its commitment to addressing the full spectrum of community needs. In addition to helping to repair structural losses, the coalition recognised early that the community also needed help rebuilding from emotional loss. Communities impacted by this disaster are coping with profound emotional and psychological strain and Parottee is no different. Children, adults and elders are struggling with fear, anxiety and grief, including families still searching for loved ones who were swept away in the storm.
And so the coalition are providing therapists, counsellors and community workers to facilitate individual sessions, group therapy, spiritual support and play therapy for children. These services are ongoing and form a core part of the six-month initiative. Their goal is to create space for processing grief, rebuilding emotional resilience and helping families feel safe again.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Heneka Watkis-Porter (@heneka_watkis_porter)
Practical and Community-Centred Support
This holistic approach extends beyond physical reconstruction. It is rooted in the belief that long-term recovery requires stable homes, sustainable livelihoods, emotional strength and community connection. As such, teams are also helping stabilise everyday life through practical community-centred initiatives, such as renovating and restocking the village shop, where goods are distributed through a voucher system so residents can access essentials with dignity. Restoration of the shop will continue as the community regains its footing.
The team’s presence in Parottee is not simply about repairing what was lost, but about restoring hope and ensuring families have the support they need to rebuild their lives.
One of the clearest examples of this commitment is the upcoming Christmas in Parottee celebration on 25 December. Instead of allowing the season to pass quietly under the shadow of loss, the coalition will bring joy directly into the streets with food, music, gift-giving and activities for children. It is a moment designed to uplift spirits, rebuild community bonds and remind families that they are not alone.
Grace to Grow: Empowering Women for Long-Term Recovery
As the rebuilding continues, the next phase of support arrives through Grace to Grow Mentorship and Training, led by founder and CEO Heneka Watkis. The organisation will deliver a 12-week mobile mentorship and leadership programme for 25 women in Parottee. It is designed to meet women where they are and to help restore their confidence, stability and sense of agency.
The programme focuses on trauma-informed healing, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership and emotional resilience. It acknowledges that women are often the anchors of their households, carrying both the emotional and economic weight of recovery. By delivering the programme within the community, Grace to Grow reduces barriers to participation and ensures consistency during a period when transportation and daily routines remain disrupted.
The full cost of the programme is USD $13,000, or approximately JMD $2,013,000.00. This budget covers meals, childcare stipends, transportation support, facilitators, micro-enterprise seed grants and printed materials for learning and journalling.
“Rebuilding walls is one thing, but rebuilding inner strength and financial stability is equally essential,” Heneka shared. “This programme is about giving these women a second chance to thrive.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Heneka Watkis-Porter (@heneka_watkis_porter)
How You Can Help
The work in Parottee is ongoing and community support is vital for the months ahead. Donations help fund the mentorship programme, support livelihoods, strengthen mental health resources and bring moments of joy, such as the Christmas celebration, to families who continue to recover from the storm’s impact.
Support the empowerment programme for women
GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/41b161a92
Support the Christmas treat and wider relief efforts
Zelle: bridgette_barrett@yahoo.com
Phone: 876-296-1938 (Dr. Bridgette Barrett)
Because Parottee Matters
Hurricane Melissa may have shaken this fishing village to its core, but the people of Parottee are not facing this journey alone. Through rebuilding homes, restoring livelihoods, supporting emotional wellbeing and empowering women for the future, this coalition of volunteers and organisations has shown what is possible when compassion, community and commitment come together with purpose.
Your support can help ensure that Parottee not only recovers, but rises stronger than before. Follow Dr. Barrett on Facebook for updates and more information on ways can support.
