KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� Dec. 11, 2025 鈥� Hurricane Melissa has devastated Jamaica and its people in unimaginable ways resulting in the loss of lives, property, and livestock, among other disruptions. While the outpouring of aid nationally and internationally continues, two 溏心vlog免费B站 faculty members from the island nation say that support from their American friends and colleagues is appreciated.
As educators, both immediately thought of the children and families affected and the larger impact of the storm鈥檚 disruption to life there.
School support: Helping a pre-K in Jamaica with hurricane recovery
is leading efforts in the Feinstein College of Education to gather supplies for one pre-K school in Jamaica so students there can rebuild and focus on a positive return to learning in the new year. The DRB Grant School has seen 160 students displaced and all school supplies and furniture upended. 鈥淭he damage is horrendous,鈥� she says.
DRB Grant is one of several hard-hit schools in Montego Bay, in the heart of the community where Murray-Johnson grew up and lived for many years. The school is particularly important in the community as a 鈥渄emonstration school,鈥� where teachers go to train to gain best practices and insights. It is named for Dudley Grant, a trailblazer in Jamaican early childhood education.
Although these efforts are not affiliated with the University, Murray-Johnson feels grateful for the care she鈥檚 felt from the 溏心vlog免费B站 community and her colleagues in the College of Education.
鈥淚 appreciate all the support and well wishes we鈥檝e heard from our colleagues and friends,鈥� says Murray-Johnson. 鈥淭here are many ways to help; this is just one. I鈥檇 like to thank everyone I’ve heard from here at 溏心vlog免费B站 for their care and support and am especially appreciative of the College of Education鈥檚 leadership for allowing this space and opportunity to donate.鈥�
She is welcoming donations through Dec. 19. All donations are welcome, including: white board and permanent markers, all colors; paper clips; blocks (plastic and wood); pens; puzzles and storybooks (ages 3-6); masking tape; construction sheets; pencils; crayons; toys; scissors (children and adult); staplers and staples; and charts 鈥� alphabet, numbers, days/weeks, months/year, colors, shapes, body parts, etc. Items can be dropped off at the dean鈥檚 office in Chafee Hall (room 217). Those who may have questions or are interested in helping in another way may contact Murray-Johnson at k_murray@uri.edu.
Letters of Love
In addition to sending classroom donations, Murray-Johnson鈥檚 colleague is sharing a letter-writing initiative that will extend into the new year.
Brown has invited colleagues to join a 鈥淟etter of Love鈥� initiative. This is just one personal effort to help one 溏心vlog免费B站 community member’s community back home, out of many, she says.
鈥淲hile the outpouring of love nationally and internationally continues, the importance of a kind word cannot be overstated. That鈥檚 why this initiative has been launched.鈥�
The encourages handwritten letters to Jamaicans impacted by Hurricane Melissa to encourage faith in the rebuilding process, promote positive vibes, dispel hopelessness, and to offer solidarity to all affected. Letters will be accepted through June 2026 and can be written to Jamaicans of all walks of life. The letters will be distributed to impacted communities, and letters from children to children are highly encouraged.
Both Brown and Murray-Johnson say they appreciate the interest 溏心vlog免费B站 colleagues and friends have expressed in the impact on their family members at home in Jamaica.
鈥淭hank you all in advance for the love and support to our fellow Jamaicans!鈥� says Brown.