GoodHeart | Dr Bridgette Barrett’s passion for service

For Dr Bridgette Barrett, service is not seasonal, and Christmas in Parottee, St Elizabeth is a continuation of work that began long before the decorations went up. Since the passage of Hurricane Melissa, Barrett, a project management consultant and development practitioner, has led a focused recovery initiative in one section of the fishing community, making eight visits and implementing what she describes as a pilot model of comprehensive recovery aimed at restoring dignity, stability and self-reliance among affected families.

“This is not just relief,” Barrett told GoodHeart, adding, “Without coordinated recovery assistance, families risk prolonged displacement, poverty and dependency. Our approach creates a structured pathway towards recovery, starting with one community and building from there.”

The initiative targets approximately 30 households and 150 residents and combines immediate humanitarian support with medium- and longer-term interventions. To date, the work has included the distribution of food, water, clothing, sanitation and hygiene supplies, household products and care packages, alongside psychosocial and mental health support, livelihood restoration for fisherfolk and small traders, and the repair and construction of safe, temporary housing.

Close to 50 volunteers with varying skillsets have been mobilised under Barrett’s leadership, working across multiple areas of support. Their efforts have resulted in the cleaning of six homes, the construction of four houses, repairs to three residential roofs and one shop, the restocking of a community shop and the issuance of 50 community vouchers. In partnership with ADRA Jamaica and ADRA International, 111 water tanks were also distributed to address urgent water needs.

This Christmas, Barrett and the team brought the festive cheer to the community she says has become like family.

“The people here have become family to us [and] after everything they have been through. I would not feel comfortable celebrating at home and not sharing the day with them,” she said.

The Christmas Day treat catered to approximately 200 people and featured traditional Jamaican Christmas fare, gift-giving for children and adults, and a programme centred on fellowship, games, and local performances.

For Barrett, restoring normalcy after disaster goes beyond rebuilding structures. It is about preserving dignity and empowering individuals to regain control over their lives.

“When people can stand on their own again, that is real recovery,” she said. “Self-sufficiency is critical, not just for personal healing, but for rebuilding Jamaica as a whole.”

Her passion for service, she explained, was instilled from childhood. As early as age four, she accompanied her parents on visits to vulnerable individuals across South Manchester and Mandeville, experiences that shaped a lifelong commitment to giving back. That commitment was tested this year when the hurricane coincided with her 50th-birthday celebrations. Plans for a year-long personal milestone were set aside as she redirected her energy and resources towards relief efforts.

“I had planned 12 activities across the year, one per month, with 50 stops to my favourite places in December, but God had a different plan,” she said. “Instead of celebrating myself, I found myself serving more than ever.”

Among the moments that continue to resonate is the rebuilding of a resident’s home after the sea destroyed everything he owned.

“When he opened the door and stepped inside, the joy was overwhelming,” she recalled. “He went out into the rain and danced. That moment reminded me why this work matters.”

Another memory involved a child quietly asking for a sweet, a small request that reshaped how the team approached caring for children affected by the disaster.

“Sometimes it is the smallest things that help people cope,” she added.

Though the Christmas treat marked a symbolic pause, Barrett says the work in Parottee is far from complete. The model being used, she noted, has already demonstrated measurable impact and offers a blueprint for sustainable, community-led recovery in other hurricane-affected areas.

“We are our brothers’ keepers,” she explained. “If we can help somebody as we pass along, then our living will not be in vain.” She is grateful to all the volunteers and donors for their support.

goodheart@gleanerjm.com