HURRICANE  MELISSA RELIEF
    SCHOOL UPDATES AS OF JANUARY 28, 2026

    Clifford Basic                                                                                                                           St. Ann

    • The 6 missing zinc panels over the veranda have been replaced and the roof leaks have been repaired.
    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.
    • We are happy to report that Clifford Basic school has been restored to pre hurricane status.

    Bybrook Basic                                                                                                                 St. Catherine

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.
    • We are happy to report that Bybrook Basic school has been restored to pre hurricane status.

    Jubilee Town Primary                                                                                                    St. Catherine

    • Classes and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All utilities have been restored.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.
    • We are happy to report that Jubilee Town Primary school has been restored to pre hurricane status

    Nutshell Basic                                                                                                                 St. Catherine

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.
    • The fallen trees have been removed but the perimeter fencing is still in need of repair.

    Berry Hill Primary & Infant                                                                                         St. Catherine

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • The majority of students have returned to school
    • They are continuing their outreach efforts to ensure 100% attendance to pre hurricane levels
    • The school is waiting on an action plan from the Ministry of Education to repair the leaking roof and electrical issues.
    • A new water pump is being procured for the school

    Ewarton Basic                                                                                                                 St. Catherine

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school including 5 new students
    • The leaking roof and the steps leading to the school damaged by flood waters have yet to be repaired.

    Elim Early Childhood Development Center                                                            St. Catherine

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school including a few additional new students due to migration
    • The leaking roof and the damaged column in the kitchen area have yet to be repaired.

    Linstead Primary & Junior High                                                                                 St. Catherine

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • The majority of students have returned to school.
    • The hurricane caused the collapse of a partition in one of the classrooms and damage to the ceiling over the reading room and computer room.
    • A representative of the Ministry of Education visited the school but has not provided a timeline for repairs.

    Baxter’s Mountain Primary                                                                                                  St. Mary

    • The school lost its entire roof due to the hurricane.
    • Unfortunately, the Minister of Education (MOE) representative surveyed the site and determined the roof cannot be repaired as the entire building structure is compromised.
    • It was discovered that termites have eaten the boards that form the foundation requiring the need for an entirely new building.
    • The school has yet to receive a timeline from the MOE for this project.
    • In the interim, tarps and canvas have been utilized to create a temporary roof over the school.
      • UNICEF recently delivered a large tent that will be used for classrooms once construction on the new building begins.
    • Classes and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • Electricity has been restored but water must be trucked in and stored in large tanks.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.

    Belfield Primary                                                                                                                     St. Mary

    • The leaking roof over the classrooms has been repaired but more extensive work will need to be done regarding the outer section of the canteen.
    • The Ministry of Education has not provided a timeline for the canteen repair
    • Water tanks have been replaced/repaired.
    • All utilities have been restored.
    • The school is in full operation, including the breakfast program.
    • All students and teachers have returned to pre hurricane levels.

    Jeffrey Town Basic                                                                                                                  St. Mary

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.
    • The roof of the outdoor shed is still in need of repair

    Rose Hall Primary & Infant                                                                                           St. Elizabeth

    • The low hanging electrical wires over the school compound have been removed.
    • Electricity has been restored but rainwater must still be collected and treated for use.
    • The playfield fence damaged by the hurricane has been repaired but the perimeter fencing is still in need of repair.
    • The severely damaged road leading to the school has been temporarily fixed but may not withstand the next flood.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.

    Frankfield Primary & Infant                                                                                         Manchester

    • For the most part, utilities have been restored.
    • Reliable electricity is needed to pump the water to the restrooms and kitchen.
    • Due to unpredictable and low voltage electricity a gas generator is being procured for the school.
      • There has been a substantial shortage of generators since the hurricane coupled with price gouging for those that are available.
      • Prices and availability have recently improved and the school should have a gas generator in the near future.
    • The two damaged 1,000-gallon water drums have been repaired.
    • Two damaged windows have been replaced.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.

    Victoria Town Primary & Infant                                                                                   Manchester

    • All utilities have been restored.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All students and teachers have returned to the school.
    • The hurricane destroyed the school’s solar generator and solar panels.
      • It has been impossible to locate a replacement solar generator on the island.
      • Due to unpredictable and low voltage electricity a gas generator is being procured for the school.

    Kentucky Primary & Infant                                                                                     Westmoreland

    • The roof of the school was destroyed by the hurricane.
    • There have been no current updates from the Ministry of Education regarding reroofing and refurbishing of the building.
      • Plastic tarps are being utilized to provide shade and shelter
    • The school is still lacking all utilities.
    • A gas generator is being procured for the school.
    • There is no potable water, so they harvest rainwater.
    • Due to the lack of electricity, they are unable to use the pump to provide running water.
    • Full-time classroom instruction and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • All teachers and all but 2 students have returned.
      • The 2 students not returning were displaced and had to relocate.

    Bluefields Basic                                                                                                           Westmoreland

    • Bluefields Basic was one of the hardest hit schools located in a community that was completely devastated by the hurricane.
    • Many families were rendered homeless.
    • The walls of the school are intact, but the roof was destroyed, and the structure has been deemed uninhabitable.
      • Roof replacement is well underway, funded in part by a generous donation from the Ryze Party sales team associates, and should be fully in place within 4-6 weeks.
    • All windows and doors need to be replaced
    • None of the utilities have been restored.
    • The school is in dire need of a replacement solar generator but there are currently none available on the island.
      • The search for a solar generator will continue.
      • The school has expressed they have no interest in a gas generator and will wait until a solar product can be procured.
      • Once a solar generator is acquired they will also need 6 large solar panels and to replace the solar water pumping system including pipelines for potable water.
    • They are in need of 2 – 1,000 gallon water drums to replace those destroyed by the hurricane
    • They have been unable to resume classes or the breakfast program.
    • In the interim, the teachers are visiting student’s homes and engaging the children with printed materials, workbooks and other activities.
    • All teachers and students are accounted for, with the exception of one child that migrated to the US since the hurricane.

     

    SCHOOL UPDATES AS OF NOVEMBER 17, 2025

    Below are the updates, as of November 17th, from the schools regarding hurricane damage.

    Baxter’s Mountain Primary – St. Mary Parish

    • The Ministry of Education has determined that the roof cannot be repaired as the entire building structure is compromised requiring the need for a new building.
    • After a detailed assessment, the Ministry of Education has concluded that the roof at Baxter’s Mountain Primary cannot be repaired. The evaluation revealed that the entire building structure is compromised, which means that a new building will be required to ensure the safety and long-term use of the school.
    • Canvas tarps are being utilized to cover the roof area as the area is currently experiencing excessive rainfall.
    • Water is being trucked into the school and the school is currently without electricity and internet service.
    • Classes and the breakfast program resumed on Monday, November 8.
    • Approximately 2/3 of the students have returned to school while several are homeless or staying with friends and family.

    Kentucky Primary & Infant – Westmoreland Parish

    • The school is uninhabitable, and roof is half gone.
    • A plastic tarp has been provided and is being used for shade.
    • There is no water, electricity or internet connectivity.
    • Most families are roofless or homeless.
    • Once classes are able to be resumed face to face, the breakfast program will also resume.
    • The school is waiting for direction from the Ministry of Education on how to proceed.

    Bluefields Basic – Westmoreland Parish

    • The walls of the building are still intact, but the entire roof is gone.
    • All the students and staff were severely affected by the hurricane.
    • The vast devastation in the community has left most people homeless and without protection from the heavy rains and wind.
    • There is no electricity throughout the entire community.
    • All of their solar panels have been destroyed and there is no internet connection or telephone service.
    • All the power, phone and internet lines are down in the community.
    • Only a few persons in the area have a generator and Starlink internet connection.

    Ewarton Basic – St. Catherine Parish

    • The physical school structure is intact, and water and electricity have been restored to the school.
    • The roof does have several leaks and the steps leading to the school have been undermined by flood waters.
    • Classes and the breakfast program resumed on Monday, November 8, with approximately 90% of students in attendance.

     

    Rose Hall Primary & Infant – St. Elizabeth Parish

    • There was no major infrastructural damage to the building.
    • Currently, there is no electricity or internet at the school.
    • The playfield has lost two sides of fencing as well as a portion of the school perimeter fence is down.
    • Electrical and internet wires are swinging low on the school’s compound.
    • The road in front of the school is a disaster.
    • Rainwater is currently the only source of water.
    • Students are slowly returning to school and the breakfast program is active.
    • The Parents have lost all of their farms and animals (the school is located in a farming community).
    • Therefore, at least 60% of our student population is severely impacted.

    Clifford Basic – St. Ann Parish

    • The school lost 6 of the zinc panels from the veranda and more on the side over the water tank. There is also leakage inside from roof damage.
    • Classes and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • The area is still without water, electricity and internet service.
    • Rainwater/stored water is being used for cooking.

    Frankfield Primary & Infant – Manchester Parish

    • The area is still without electricity and the internet.
    • Classes and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • They are still without electricity and the internet.
    • The electricity affects the pumping of water for restrooms and the kitchen.
    • However, a past student loaned the school a generator and Starlink to use until both are restored.
    • Damage was limited to 2 water drums, window replacement and some metal filing cabinets.

    Jeffrey Town Basic – St. Mary Parish

    • The area is still without electricity and the internet.
    • Classes and the breakfast program have resumed.
    • Water is currently being harvested for school use.

    Linstead Primary & Junior High – St. Catherine Parish

    • Infrastructural damage was limited to a collapsed partition in one of the classrooms.
    • Classes were reopened for face-to-face on Monday, November 10.
    • The breakfast program has been in operation since reopening.
    • Water and electricity have been restored.
    • There are currently over 280 students in attendance out of a total enrollment of 512.

    Jubilee Town Primary – St. Catherine Parish

    • The school building is intact.
    • Classes have resumed face to face instruction with 98% of the students in attendance.
    • The much-needed breakfast program is in full operation.
    • There is no electricity and no internet.
    • The school still rely on water catchment and a past student has donated cases of bottled water.

    Bybrook Basic – St. Catherine Parish

    • The school building is undamaged.
    • The school is without water, electricity and the internet.
    • Classes and the breakfast program resumed on November 8, with approximately 50% of the students reporting.

    Nutshell Basic – St. Catherine Parish

    • The school building is intact; however fallen trees did damage some of the perimeter fencing.
    • Water has been restored but are still without electricity and internet service.
    • School and the breakfast program resumed on November 5.

    Elim Early Childhood Development Center – St. Catherine Parish

    • The school remains intact, with the exception of one section of the column in the kitchen collapsed and there are quite a few leaks in the building.
    • Classes and the breakfast program resumed on November 4thwith approximately 50% of the students reporting.
    • The school has electricity and partial internet service.
    • The area is still without water

    Berry Hill Primary & Infant – St. Catherine Parish

    • With the exception of the roof leaking the physical structure is intact.
    • The school has no electricity and limited internet connection.
    • The school has water as the school has been harvesting rainwater.
    • Classes have resumed but with reduced hours.
    • About half of the student population has been attending daily since the resumption of classes.
    • No breakfast has been served since they restarted as students are arriving later in the day.

    Belfield Primary – St. Mary Parish

    • The school did not suffer any significant damage apart from the outer section of the canteen and leaking in some classrooms.
    • The school is still without electricity, water and internet; however, water has been trucked to the school.
    • Face to face classes have been resumed on a staggered schedule.
    • The breakfast program will begin once normal operations have been restored.

    Victoria Town Primary & Infant – Manchester Parish

    • The school has water, electricity and internet service restored.
    • Classes and the breakfast program resumed on Monday, November 8.

    Please give today— help bring hope back to Jamaica’s children.

    Ways to donate:

    *Zelle: Pulk903@Yahoo.com
    *Venmo: earlwalker@jamaicayes (Earl Walker)  
    *check: made payable to Jamaica YES,
    4413 Cannock Dr, McKinney, TX 75070

    * these are all fee-free options.

    Or you can click on the DONATE button at the top right corner of the website

     

    The members of Jamaica YES are heartbroken by the devastation Hurricane Melissa has brought to communities across Jamaica.

    Currently, we feed over 1,000 school children each day at 16 Basic and Primary schools throughout the island. We have reached out to each school. Of those that have responded, significant structural damage to school buildings, missing roofs, flooded classrooms and missing fences have been reported. Some schools are unusable.

    Our immediate goal is to get these schools back up and operational.  The teachers and students are eager to return to school, but they need help in making that possible, especially for those who have major structural damage and roof loss.

    All donations made through December 31st, 2025, will go directly towards supporting the relief, repairing and rebuilding efforts of these schools to help facilitate a speedy return of the students to the safety and comfort of their classrooms.

    No contribution is too small.  With your support, we can help these students get back to learning.  Their future depends on it.

    Jamaica YES is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Dallas, Texas, since 2004, which means your donation is fully tax-deductible.   100% of your donation, through December 31st, 2025, will go toward helping these schools in their recovery and subsequent resumption of classes.

    Please give today— help bring hope back to Jamaica’s children.

    Ways to donate:

    *Zelle: Pulk903@Yahoo.com
    *Venmo: earlwalker@jamaicayes (Earl Walker)  
    *check: made payable to Jamaica YES,
    4413 Cannock Dr, McKinney, TX 75070

    * these are all fee-free options.

    Or you can click on the DONATE button at the top right corner of the website (credit card option available).