BLUEFIELDS, WESTMORELAND: Seventy-one farmers, fishers, and beekeepers in Westmoreland received much-needed supplies on Monday, October 26.
The Bluefields People’s Community Development Committee Benevolent Society hosted outreach partners the Judy Mowatt Outreach Ministries (JMOM), the Sean Paul Foundation (SPF) and United Way of Jamaica (UWJ). Those very grounds that still hold the scars of storm surges related to Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on the southwest of Jamaica on October 28, 2025.
During the day, the group of charities was able to offer recovery and rehabilitation to five groups. They were: fishermen, fishmongers, vegetable farmers, chicken farmers, and beekeepers.
The fishermen’s recovery support restores income and strengthens local protein supply by providing fishing lines, fishing nets, GPS devices, life jackets, coolers, and boat repairs. The fishmongers were given coolers, rakes, knives to reignite local food distribution and fish sales. Vegetable farmers received supplies including seeds, fertiliser, water boots, machetes and water tanks to aid the restoration of fresh local food production. The chicken farmers were assisted in two pools — some received Grade A chickens, feeds and automated waterers while others received materials to rebuild or repair their chicken coops — to support household food production and income generation. Also, beekeepers received beehives, smokers, veils, hive tools, extractors as a means to create diversified and sustainable income opportunities.
Among the partners were Barita Foundation and We Were Once Them (WeWOT), an organisation of aviators and flight attendants.
UWJ delivered $1.7 million of supplies directly to 36 of the vegetable and chicken farmers.
Farmer Olive Campbell said that after being completely wiped out by the hurricane, she is finally seeing recovery.
Talking about her quarter-acre outfit she said: “The bananas and plantains are really coming back nicely, the avocado and even jackfruit are rebounding so I am grateful. I lost everything and these supplies to rebuild the coop will go a far way to recover everything.”
Campbell also received supplies to rebuild her coop to house supplied with funds from UWJ.
Belmont fisherman Uan Webb said his business will be greatly improved with the supplies from the outreach.
“I lost over 20 fishpot in the storm and a lot of us mostly fish that way. I am grateful for what I got (igloo, line and GPS),” Webb explained.
Though he was at sea during the health fair in August, he was able to sign up for assistance very soon after he moored the boat.
Promises Delivered
The farmers and fishers signed up for the assistance venture during the two-day health fair held on August 22-23 dubbed Bluefields Rising: Health & Recovery Fair at the Belmont Academy. There, the participants were able to document their needs and request the assistance that was delivered on Monday. The Benevolent Society also received a Starlink courtesy of Sean Paul Foundation to ensure internet connectivity for the facility.
The health fair was hosted by JMOM in partnership with the Sean Paul Foundation. Through volunteers of the International Medical Relief (IMR), the Fair facilitated 928 residents receiving dental care, vision services, diagnostic testing, health education, shut-in/indigent visits and other specialised support.
On the first day, 437 patients were seen, followed by 482 patients on Sunday. The initiative brought a wide range of healthcare services, along with assistance with services from Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) and National Identification and Registration Authority (formerly Registrar General’s Department) giving residents an opportunity to access several important services in one location.
At the close of health fair days, JMOM and the Sean Paul Foundation distributed care packages containing food, hygiene products and personal care items to persons who received care.
For more information, or to make assistance requests from the Sean Paul Foundation, contact spfoundation@allseanpaul.com.
