Hurricane Melissa created great losses in Jamaica, and local church hoping to help
After the recent destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, Knox Presbyterian Church in Selkirk has decided to host a Jamaican-themed night, which will share Jamaican culture as well as other fundraising events to help those who no longer have what they need.
“Currently, we’re having a clothes and school supply donation for people to drop off items at the church. Also, people can make a donation to Knox Presbyterian Church for hurricane relief, and they can get a tax receipt for that, and that’s ongoing. And, we’re also asking people to pray for the situation in Jamaica, which is just terrible,” said Naggie Sterling, the minister at Knox Presbyterian Church in Selkirk.
Sterling is from Jamaica himself, and so, in addition to these fundraising drives, he’s decided to share parts of Jamaican culture with a Jamaica Night where residents who attend will learn about the music, food and other unique aspects of the country.
“Jamaican Night on November 28 here at the church, starting at 6 p.m. It’s on our Facebook. The idea is we’ll have music and stories about Jamaica, and some Jamaican food for a contribution of $20,” he said.
“We’re creating a connection with Jamaica, not just with what is happening, but with Jamaica as a whole. And that will be done through the Jamaican music, Bob Marley is known worldwide, and stories about Jamaica. We’ve done that since we’ve been here in other settings (but it will be) stories about Jamaica (including) what makes it beautiful. It’s not beautiful right now, but stories about the before and then after and some of the stories that have come through since the disaster. And, while that is happening, we will serve (and bring together) a taste of Jamaica in its music, in its food and through its stories,” said Sterling.
Some of the tastings that they will have on offer are Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and a dish called rice and peas, which is actually made with, not what Canadians would call peas, but what we refer to as kidney beans mixed with Jamaican traditional spices to create its signature taste.
They do ask that people who wish to attend call and let the church know that they are coming in advance so that they can prepare enough food for everyone.
Sterling explained that Jamaica is not unaccustomed to hurricanes, but this one was particularly devastating because of a series of unfortunate circumstances.
“We’ve had hurricanes, very strong hurricanes and not so strong ones. We are more or less aware of how to prepare for hurricanes. The danger about this last one was that not only was it a very strong, the strongest since record, but it was moving at a snail’s pace, which meant it was going to be sitting on the island for a long time. That’s what caused a lot of the damage. It wasn’t moving very fast. It came with a lot of water, and the winds were 300 kilometres an hour. It was just crazy, unimaginable. So, that had us worried. And I think being so far away makes the worry even more, because you feel very helpless,” said Sterling.
He explained that as of his conversation with Record staff, he still wasn’t able to reach certain friends and family members of his.
“We still have not heard from most of them because communications and roads have been wiped out, but thankfully, we’ve heard from a couple of them, and they have managed, over time, to get word on to others. Some of them have lost their homes, but thankfully, they are still alive,” he said.
The Jamaican Night event starts at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28, and they expect it to be a fun time, but only to run for about an hour and a half, so that people aren’t out too late at this time of year.
Sterling encourages people who would like to learn more about Jamaican culture or who want to give a little to those in need to attend this event and check out their other fundraisers.
“More and more these natural disasters are just making us understand how small the world is, and that one person’s action on one side of the world affects people on the other side of the world, which is one of the reasons storms are becoming so fierce and global warming is a present danger,” he said in conclusion.
