Portland restaurant delivers meals, supplies to storm-hit residents

Businessman Telief ‘Peter’ Hall says his recent journey to hurricane-ravaged St Elizabeth revealed devastation far worse than he imagined.

Hall, who operates Roots 21 restaurant in Port Antonio, set out with a 28-member team from Boundbrook to deliver warm meals, blankets, tarpaulin, water, clothing and flashlights to residents affected by Hurricane Melissa. He said the destruction became evident as soon as they crossed into Clarendon, worsening as they travelled west. Roofs were torn from houses, trees uprooted, power lines and utility poles toppled, and homes submerged.

“When I reached out to other people, other business operators in Portland, it was just out of pure courtesy and respect,” Hall said. “I wanted to give them an opportunity to come on board and show our love, our caring attitude, and to extend kindness to our brothers and sisters who were affected by Hurricane Melissa.”

Mobile kitchens

The group established mobile kitchens in Newton Town (Black River), Billy’s Bay (Treasure Beach) and Lance Wood (Middle Section), serving about 2,500 residents, including children. Hall said the team was shaken by the suffering they encountered. “No homes, no water, nowhere to sleep, and with only the one suit on their backs. It was then that my wife, Melissa, and I broke down in tears. I am not really an emotional type of person, but this experience was far too much.”

Hall described conditions in St Elizabeth as “shocking, disturbing and heart-rending.” He said residents were left without drinking water, unable to bathe or carry out basic domestic chores. “It was painful to see children crying, adults crying, and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for those people,” he said.

He urged Jamaicans to unite in support of the west, stressing that government alone cannot meet the scale of need. “There is a definite need for every Jamaican to come on board,” Hall said, adding that international aid will also be critical.

Looking ahead, Hall is planning a second relief trip, this time focused on rebuilding. As the operator of a construction company, he intends to take building materials and his own work crew to restore homes and repair damaged structures. “I will be making a second journey to the west and a third and fourth if necessary to assist with rebuilding houses for those who lost their entire structure, and also to effect repairs to other homeowners,” he said.

Hall added that his commitment to service stems from lessons taught by his parents. “This is a crisis and my mother and father taught me the importance of helping and giving back. Without the people there would be no business,” he said.

editorial@gleanerjm.com