It was not yet Christmas Eve, but it seemed like Gran’ Market came just a few days early for residents of Trelawny.

From Martha Brae, Hague Settlement, Falmouth, and as far as Sherwood Content, they came and converged on the football field of the William Knibb Memorial High School on Sunday (December 21), hoping to benefit from the variety of items on display, treats and rounds of little league football, among other delights.

Organised by the FYI Consultancy Group with the help of the JN Foundation for the benefit of those still suffering loss and damage from the ferocious category five Hurricane Melissa, hundreds from all over, young and old, armed with three tickets they received upon entry into the grounds, exchanged the vouchers for brand-new clothing, toys, toiletries and essentials, such as portable stoves, tarpaulins and food items. Even a visit to Santa Claus himself was possible.

“I am very appreciative of this,” declared Angella Greenlurch of Falmouth, who brought three of her five children along, hoping to get them toys, shoes, essentials and a day of fun. Like many in Trelawny, Melissa left her and her family in need of all that she had come hoping to receive.

“My roof gone, bed… Everything mash up and my clothing gone,” she related. “But to God be the glory that you are here. Whatever we get, we appreciate it.”

The ordeal of 14-year-old Kemar Brown* and his younger cousin Keisha Crooks* was similar. The young Martha Brae residents, who were seen picking up trendy items of clothing, lost several articles of their own after Melissa took their roofs and destroyed various contents of their houses. Both out of school since the disaster, they, and two other cousins, made the trek with their grandmother to see what clothing and essentials they could get.

“I get two shirt and a pants,” said Kemar, as he held up a trendy sweater, seemingly a little short for his tall frame. The Knockalva High School grade nine student was hopeful that along with the new items of clothing, he could return to school in January.

“The school mash up so them saying me probably have to repeat the grade, so me don’t know yet. Them a say school start back in a January, so in January we a go see what can happen,” he shared.

Nineteen-year-old twins, Javari and Javani King were more focused on collecting toiletries, while Rohan Gilzene simply wanted to give his five-year-old son an opportunity to enjoy Christmas despite the circumstances.

The twins’ board home in Zion, Martha Brae, was flattened by the unrelenting winds, forcing them to move in with their grandmother, who lives in the same compound. Having benefited from articles of clothing through other relief efforts to the area, they came to stock up on hygiene products and cleaning agents. “We not really in need of clothes, so we got tissue and some other items,” Javari confirmed, while Gilzene, also from Zion, got a suit of clothes for his son, snacks and was now in line impatiently waiting to meet Santa Claus. “You soon get through,” he calmly assured his son who was growing restless as waited for his turn.

Like others, Gilzene suffered severe damage during the hurricane. Not only did he lose his roof, but his home was also flooded, and his outside kitchen made of plyboard was destroyed.

“Me look out for him (his son). Him a the reason why me come over here,” Gilzene affirmed.

For 77-year-old farmer, Eglon Mills, also from Zion, the thrift shop was a boon, having had his roof, furniture and clothing destroyed by the storm.

“I got pants, I got shirt, bleach, a wallet and underpants,” the grateful senior citizen outlined. And although his livelihood was felled by Melissa, his positivity remained firm.

“I have to start all over again, but I getting through,” he said, noting that he would be registering with the Rural Agricultural Development Agency the next Monday morning.

“A meaningful aspect of the recovery process is the opportunity we can provide to lift spirits- and Christmas is a time when spirits should be high and pregnant with hope, not only for the new year, but with the hope that recovery is possible and that we can build back better,” commented Paula Pinnock, managing director, FYI Consultancy Group.

In partnership for the third time with the JN Foundation to assist residents of Trelawny, the occasion was scaled up with the inclusion of a thrift shop established through partnership with the JN Foundation, Bahamas-based Fox Foundation, Breezes Foundation and the Government of The Bahamas; a Santa Village, bounce-a-bouts, youth league football tournament and energy from JPS, who allowed residents, many of whom still had no electricity, to charge their phones and other mobile devices.

First aid care was also made available through St John Ambulance, while the JN Foundation through its sister JN entity, the Jamaica Automobile Association, provided transportation for JN volunteers and provided residents with internet via a Starlink device.

“The intention was to bring Christmas cheer and relief in a manner that left residents feeling dignified,” commented Omar Wright, lead for community projects at the JN Foundation. “And we are pleased that through keen partnership with entities, such as the FYI Consultancy Group, we could achieve it.”