Subject: Urgent Follow-Up Complaint – No Progress on ROOFS Grant Despite Full Submission of Documents, Photos & Videos – Tangle River Point, St. James Dear Minister / Sir or Madam, I am writing as a resident of Tangle River Point P.O., St. James, Jamaica, and as Chief of Furry Town Maroons, to formally complain about the severe and ongoing delay in receiving assistance under the Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelters (ROOFS) programme following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. My home was totally demolished (or suffered severe damage) by the Category 5 hurricane. For the last six months I have been forced to live in makeshift conditions under tarpaulin or temporary shelter, fully exposed to the elements and at the mercy of mother nature. Our spirits are broken, and we have very limited means to rebuild without government support. The rest of the community in Tangle River Point and surrounding areas also continue to suffer greatly. Ma...
Writing ABANDONED AFTER THE STORM: AUTHOR, FARMER, AND MAROON LEADER ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS By Fabian Stennett TANGLE RIVER POINT, ST. JAMES — Long after Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica, leaving destruction in its wake, another crisis continues to unfold—one far less visible, but equally devastating. It is the crisis of neglect, inequality, and silent suffering among those left behind. I am living that reality. The winds have passed, and the floodwaters have receded, but the trauma remains—deep, unhealed, and ongoing. For many of us in rural communities, survival has replaced living. Each day is marked by uncertainty, loss, and the growing fear of what tomorrow may bring. My home was severely damaged during the hurricane. Today, I stand on the edge of homelessness. This is not just my story. It is the story of countless farmers and families across Jamaica whose lives have been shattered. Crops destroyed. Livestock gone. Livelihoods erased overnight. Yet, while some ha...