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 have received swift relief and assistance, others—like myself—have been left waiting, overlooked, and unheard.
We are told that all citizens are equal. But the reality on the ground tells a different story. The distribution of hurricane relief has exposed a painful truth: some are treated as though they are more deserving than others.
In Tangle River Point P.O., St. James, the neglect is not theoretical—it is lived. Appeals for help have gone unanswered. Promises have not materialized. Authorities, who should act with urgency and compassion, appear distant while we struggle to rebuild our lives with little to no support.
How does a farmer recover with no assistance? How does a man rebuild when his home is falling apart? How does a community move forward when it feels forgotten?
These are not just questions—they are cries for help.
The psychological toll is immense. Families are displaced. Hope is fading. The weight of abandonment is becoming harder to bear. We are left at the mercy of circumstances, forced to rely on sheer resilience while facing the very real possibility of losing everything.
This is not just about disaster recovery—it is about dignity. It is about fairness. It is about whether the most vulnerable citizens of this country truly matter.
I write not only as a struggling farmer, but as a voice for my community and my heritage. As an author and cultural historian dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Maroons, I have spent years documenting the strength, resistance, and identity of our people. Today, I find myself drawing on that same resilience to endure a different kind of battle—one against neglect and invisibility.
But resilience should not be a substitute for responsibility.
The government must answer: Why are some communities still waiting? Why are farmers being left behind? Why must citizens face homelessness in the aftermath of a national disaster?
This moment demands more than words—it demands action.
Jamaica cannot afford to turn its back on its people. The strength of a nation is measured not by how it responds in comfort, but by how it stands with its citizens in crisis. No one should be abandoned. No one should be left to face the worst outcomes alone.
I am calling for urgent attention, equitable relief distribution, and immediate support for those who have been overlooked. Not tomorrow. Not eventually. Now.
Because while the storm may have passed, for many of us, the real struggle has only just begun.
About the Author:
Fabian Stennett is a Jamaican author, farmer, and cultural historian specializing in Maroon heritage and identity. He has written seven books on Maroon subjects, available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback, and eBook formats, including They Carved the Pathways: Chronicles of Popular Jamaican Icons, Maroon Poetic History, Maroons Paving the Way: The True Way Paver, Modern Maroons Jamaica, and Maroon Book of Eulogies Part One, among others. He is also the Chief of Furry Town Maroons and a public advocate for cultural preservation and social justice.
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