A house which was damaged by Hurricane Dean in Yardley Chase, St. Elizabeth. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

NEW YORK:

In the wake of Hurricane Dean, which hit Jamaica on Sunday, August 19, the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), a United States-based non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable and social initiatives, has responded to the needs of Jamaicans with the 'A Thousand Roofs of Love'. This is being done in partnership with Missionaries of the Poor, led by Father Richard Ho Lung. The roof project, initiated by Ambassadors Sue and Chuck Cobb, has gained the support of United States Ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda Johnson and husband J. Howard Johnson, along with AFJ President Ambassador Glen and Gloria Holden, each personally pledging US$20,000 to support roof rebuilding and repairing of 1,000 homes.

Friends send sympathy

"The American Friends of Jamaica sends our sympathy to our friends, brothers and sisters in Jamaica," said Ambassador Glen Holden, AFJ president. "We are responding by providing materials to many individuals who had damage to their roof. Our goal is to reach 1,000 homes and we have raised almost 40 per cent of that goal at this time."

According to Father Ho Lung, this initiative "is building a beautiful sense of care and hope". Since the hurricane hit, the Missionaries of the Poor has been engaged in providing immediately needed packages of food as well as setting up soup kitchens for many without food.

Ambassador Sue Cobb explained that the, "A Thousand Roofs of Love Project will bring tremendous comfort to these suffering communities. This is a massive task and the Missionaries of the Poor deserve all the help we can give them in their remarkable and selfless service for the welfare of those less fortunate than themselves."

An assessment revealed there is tremendous need for roofing material to repair the damage. The goal is to provide materials for 1,000 homes at US$250 per home, ($200 for materials and $50 for food).

Each dwelling will be provided with four pieces of zinc and four pieces of plywood. With an additional pledge from the Plymouth Congregational Church in Coconut Grove, Florida, and others, the fund currently totals over US$80,000.