Rebuilding Hope After Hurricane Melissa: How Christos Ministries Is Helping Jamaica Rise Again

Mervyn Levy • November 18, 2025

When Hurricane Melissa roared across the Caribbean in October 2025, Jamaica faced one of the most devastating storms in its modern history. It wasn’t just another hurricane. It wasn’t a routine seasonal storm. Melissa was a Category 5 monster—unpredictable, violent, and relentless. Entire communities braced for impact, but no one could have anticipated just how deeply the storm would cut into the heart of the island. Today, Christos Ministries is launching one of its most important fundraising efforts yet: a campaign dedicated to rebuilding homes, schools, and lives across Jamaica. But to understand why this mission matters so much, and why the need is so urgent, it’s important to understand what really happened during those long, terrifying hours of Hurricane Melissa.


The Storm That Changed Everything

Hurricane Melissa formed quickly—too quickly. Meteorologists watching satellite models saw what they believed would be a strong tropical storm suddenly strengthen into a Category 4 overnight and then explode into a Category 5 before it made landfall. Warm waters fed the system like fuel on a fire. By the time it reached Jamaica’s southern coast, wind speeds exceeded 160 mph. Residents described the first hit as a roar—like a jet engine pressed against their windows. Sheet metal tore from rooftops and snapped through the air like paper. Power grids failed one after another as lightning cracked across the sky. Floodwaters rushed in from every direction, swallowing roads, homes, and farmland. Communities that had weathered storms for generations said they’d never seen anything like Melissa.


Homes Flattened in Minutes

Entire blocks of modest family homes were reduced to splintered lumber. Cinderblock houses that once stood solid and proud were left roofless, their walls buckled or blown apart. In some neighborhoods, families returned to find nothing but the spot where their foundation once stood. Tens of thousands were displaced overnight.


Schools and Clinics Destroyed

The destruction went far beyond private homes. Many of Jamaica’s already stretched-thin community institutions took a direct hit. Schools like Leeds Primary—one of the island’s vital education centers—were left unrecognizable. Classrooms flooded. Roofs ripped open. Books, desks, and supplies destroyed. Children suddenly had no safe place to learn, and parents had nowhere to send them. Clinics also suffered tremendous damage, leaving communities without accessible medical care during the most vulnerable time. Staff worked tirelessly to care for the injured in makeshift tents, hallways, and borrowed community spaces.


Roads Washed Out, Towns Cut Off

As the storm stalled over the island, relentless rain triggered flash flooding and mudslides. Major roadways were sliced in half, bridges collapsed, and rural villages found themselves completely cut off. Days passed before some areas received their first outside assistance. This isolation deepened the need. Families couldn’t access supplies. Emergency workers couldn’t reach people in critical condition. And the emotional burden grew heavier with every hour of uncertainty.


The Aftermath: A Nation United in Resilience

Despite the destruction, one thing became unmistakably clear in the days after the storm: Jamaica’s spirit endured. Neighbors worked shoulder to shoulder to clear debris. Families took in other families. Churches opened their doors to everyone—no questions asked. Children helped distribute bottled water and food. Strangers became helpers. Helpers became heroes. But even with this incredible resilience, the road to rebuilding is far beyond what local communities can carry alone. Many homes require complete reconstruction. Schools need structural repair or full replacement. Thousands still lack reliable shelter, electricity, and clean water. That is where Christos Ministries is stepping in.


Christos Ministries: Rebuilding Stronger, Together

Christos Ministries has long been committed to helping vulnerable communities around the world—but the devastation in Jamaica demands a response of great urgency, compassion, and scale. Our mission is simple: restore hope by rebuilding what was lost.  With your support, we are focusing on three essential initiatives:


1. Rebuilding Homes for Displaced Families

Thousands of families have nowhere to live. Many are staying in overcrowded shelters or with relatives who don’t have the space or resources to support them long-term. Your donations will help provide:

  • Roofing materials
  • Lumber and concrete
  • Rebuilding tools
  • Skilled construction teams
  • Emergency shelter kits

Each home rebuilt is more than a structure—it’s stability, safety, and dignity restored.


2. Restoring Schools, Clinics, and Community Hubs

A community cannot move forward without places to learn, heal, and gather. Christos Ministries is committed to restoring:

  • Primary school classrooms
  • Administrative offices
  • Libraries
  • Community medical clinics
  • Multi-purpose buildings used for childcare, meetings, and support programs

This campaign is especially focused on restoring and rebuilding schools like Leeds Primary—a backbone of the community and a lifeline for families.


3. Supplying Critical Materials for Daily Survival

Clean water. Food. Baby supplies. Medicine. Generators. For many families, these aren’t just helpful—they are essential. Christos Ministries works with trusted partners on the ground to ensure resources reach the communities most in need, especially those still isolated or far from major cities.


Why Your Support Matters Right Now

Rebuilding after a storm like Hurricane Melissa won’t happen in a week or a month. It will take sustained effort, compassion, and resources. But every single donation—whether large or small—creates real impact.

  • $25 can provide clean water for a family.
  • $50 can supply school materials for a child.
  • $100 can help repair a damaged home.
  • $500 can support the rebuilding of a classroom.
  • $1,000 can contribute to structural repairs for a community center or clinic.

When we rebuild a home, we rebuild a family’s future. When we restore a school, we restore a child’s dreams. When we strengthen a community, we strengthen hope. Your generosity is not just charity—it’s partnership. It’s compassion in action. It’s choosing to stand with Jamaica when the road ahead feels overwhelming.


Together, We Can Rebuild What Was Lost

The people of Jamaica are strong, resilient, and determined. But they cannot rebuild alone—and they shouldn’t have to. Christos Ministries invites you to join us in restoring homes, schools, and stability to families devastated by Hurricane Melissa. This is our chance to bring light into a dark moment. A chance to stand with our brothers and sisters. A chance to help an entire nation rise again. Click to donate and bring hope to Jamaica today.

Rebuilding Hope: Christos Ministries Launches $300,000 Campaign to Restore Leeds Primary & Infant School in Jamaica

By Mervyn Levy • November 3, 2025
When the sun rose over the hills of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica on March 10, 2025, the small community of Leeds awoke to heartbreak. Smoke still drifted from the blackened remains of their beloved Leeds Primary & Infant School — a century-old cornerstone of the community that had stood for generations as a place of learning, laughter, and hope. The fire had started late the previous night, tearing through several critical sections of the school: the principal’s office, staff room, library, and a classroom . By morning, little was left but ash, twisted metal, and memories. Teachers wept as they sifted through the debris. Children stood silently, clutching their books and uniforms, trying to make sense of what had happened to their second home. The estimated loss — over J$50 million (approximately US $320,000) — is devastating for this rural parish. Leeds Primary & Infant School isn’t just a building; it’s a symbol of opportunity in a community where education represents the only bridge to a brighter future. “Everything is gone.” Those were the haunting words of Principal Sharon Bennett , speaking to local reporters the morning after the fire. Decades of progress, supplies, and hard-earned improvements — gone overnight. Yet amid the ashes, something powerful began to stir. The people of Leeds refused to lose hope. Parents volunteered to clean the grounds. Teachers began holding lessons under trees and in borrowed community spaces. And soon, word spread beyond Jamaica — reaching the hearts of compassionate believers around the world. A Call to Rebuild Christos Ministries International (CMI) , a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and restoring educational facilities for children in under-resourced communities, answered that call. For years, Christos Ministries has been committed to helping children access safe, quality education — from constructing new classrooms to equipping schools with essential resources and technology. Their mission is simple yet profound: to transform communities through Christ-centered education and compassionate action. Now, they are launching one of their most urgent initiatives yet — a $300,000 fundraising campaign to rebuild and fully restore Leeds Primary & Infant School . A School at the Heart of the Community Leeds Primary & Infant isn’t a large institution. It serves fewer than 200 students, yet its influence radiates across generations. For families in this rural part of St. Elizabeth, the school is the heartbeat of the village. It’s where parents once sat on those same benches decades ago. It’s where grandparents come to watch concerts, graduations, and community meetings. It’s the first place every child in Leeds learns to read, to dream, and to believe that a better life is possible. When the fire struck, it didn’t just destroy classrooms — it interrupted the rhythm of the community’s daily life. Students preparing for their Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams were displaced. Teachers lost years of instructional materials and resources. And yet, the spirit of resilience that defines Jamaica refused to be extinguished. With support from the Jamaican Ministry of Education , temporary classrooms have been set up, and some areas of the school have been cleaned and cleared. But full restoration — rebuilding the classrooms, installing new furniture and equipment, and creating a safe, modern learning environment — will take far more resources than the local community can provide on its own. Christos Ministries Steps In Christos Ministries is no stranger to rebuilding what’s been lost. Founded on the belief that “every child deserves the right to learn in safety and dignity,” the organization has been instrumental in constructing and restoring schools across the Caribbean and beyond. Their approach is holistic. Christos Ministries doesn’t just build walls — they build futures. Each project includes not only physical reconstruction, but also the provision of furniture, educational materials, and teacher support. For the Leeds project, the plan includes: Rebuilding the destroyed classrooms, library, and administrative offices Installing updated electrical and fire safety systems Providing new furniture, technology, and learning resources Creating a safe playground and outdoor learning area for students Establishing a “Hope Fund” for ongoing maintenance and teacher development The goal is not simply to replace what was lost — but to make it better than before. The $300,000 Vision Raising $300,000 will make it possible to restore the Leeds Primary & Infant School to full operation and expand its capacity for future generations. $100,000 will go toward construction and materials $75,000 toward furnishings and educational equipment $50,000 toward fire safety, wiring, and structural upgrades $50,000 for technology and learning tools $25,000 for teacher support, training, and ongoing maintenance Every dollar raised will directly contribute to rebuilding the heart of this community. Why This Matters For many of the children at Leeds Primary & Infant, education is not just about reading and writing — it’s about survival and opportunity. In rural Jamaica, access to quality education can determine whether a child escapes the cycle of poverty or remains trapped within it. As Christos Ministries Founder [Insert Leader’s Name] put it: “When a school burns, a community’s light goes out. But when we rebuild, that light shines brighter than ever — because now, the world knows they are not alone.” Through this campaign, Christos Ministries invites donors, churches, and partners around the globe to be part of that light. How You Can Help Rebuilding a school is more than a construction project — it’s an act of faith and love. Christos Ministries is calling on individuals, families, and businesses to join the effort in one of three ways: Donate: Every contribution, large or small, brings the project closer to completion. Sponsor a Classroom: Major donors can dedicate a classroom, library section, or playground area in honor of a loved one or organization. Share the Story: Awareness is power. Spreading the word about Leeds Primary & Infant helps inspire others to act. Donations can be made securely at www.christos-ministries.org

Project Completed

By Mervyn Levy • September 3, 2025
Dear Christos Ministries Supporters, Your unwavering support has enabled Christos Ministries to complete our eighth school project in Jamaica. As a supporter of Christos Ministries, you are more than a contributor. You are a partner in providing educational opportunities for under-served communities. The St. Robert Bellarmine Preparatory School was founded in 1962. The school serves approximately 12 communities surrounding the Chapelton area with an enrollment of more than 200 students. The high academic performance of its students, along with the school’s vibrant extracurricular program and dedicated staff, have resulted in a long student waiting list. The completed project provided the school with a new school building complete with 4 classrooms, bathroom facilities for the students and faculty, kitchen, playground, rainwater harvesting and storage system, and exterior fencing. The new building addresses classroom overcrowding and provides an exceptional learning environment for the 3-6 year old students.
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