Flood-damaged Lethe navigates life after ‘Melissa’

Almost seven months after Hurricane Melissa carved a destructive path through western Jamaica, life is gradually returning to normal at Lethe Primary and Infant School, where recovery efforts continue following widespread flood damage that forced the temporary abandonment of part of the institution.                                          

The school, which serves a population of 135 students, sits along the border of rural St James and Hanover. It was among several facilities severely affected when the nearby Great River overflowed its banks during the October hurricane. The floodwaters inundated the building housing the infant department, leaving behind a deluge of mud, debris, and damaged infrastructure that rendered the space unusable.

As a result, administrators were forced to relocate infant-level students to the main section of the school, significantly altering daily operations.

“The situation was disastrous,” said Principal Allison McGhie. “We had to move the babies over to the main section because some of the chairs, desks, doors, and even the bathrooms were damaged by the floodwaters, which also left mud and other debris behind.”

“We had to do a lot of restructuring to accommodate everyone in this small, confined space,” she added.

Beyond the physical damage to the plant, McGhie said the hurricane had a profound social and emotional impact on students and their families.

“When we went looking for students after the hurricane, it was clear that the devastation went beyond the school,” she said. “Many of the children lost their homes. Some are still staying with relatives and that has been very challenging for them.”

Despite these setbacks, the principal said the school community has remained committed to ensuring students remain engaged in learning as recovery efforts continue.

“The staff, residents, and various stakeholders both locally and overseas have all come together to assist with the clean-up,” McGhie said. “It has been a very long process. We are not even halfway through the recovery, but we continue because we know it is better for the children to be here at school than at home and not learning.”

She expressed gratitude for the assistance received, highlighting the role of the Kiwanis Club of Barbican, whose members were on-site cleaning the abandoned infant department.

“I am truly grateful for all the help we have received,” she said. “I know the students from the infant department will really appreciate it. They are anxious to return to their own space.”

The Kiwanis Club of Barbican, a St Andrew-based service organisation, said its involvement at Lethe Primary and Infant School forms part of a broader hurricane relief initiative launched in response to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Club president Jovana Bailey said the group shifted its annual programme to focus on disaster response after witnessing the extent of the devastation.

“This is actually the second staging of our hurricane relief project,” Bailey explained. “The idea to assist Lethe Primary and Infant School came after our distinguished past president, Dane McLean, visited the area after Hurricane Melissa to do charity work. Based on what he saw on the ground, he recommended that we step in.”

“When we saw the photos and heard about the situation, we realised we needed to assist the school in whatever way we could,” Bailey said.

MEDICAL MISSION

On April 11, the Kiwanis Club of Barbican partnered with the JN Foundation and St John Ambulance Jamaica to bring a medical mission to the school, offering free health services to students, parents, and community members. Doctors, nurses, and volunteers conducted medical consultations, health screenings, and distributed prescriptions, while clean-up of the infant department continued.

“Our Lieutenant Governor Michael Powell, who is head of security at The Jamaica National Group, informed us that the JN Foundation had a medical mission visiting communities in western Jamaica that were severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa,” Bailey said. “The idea was to partner with service clubs to reach these communities more effectively.”

She noted that the collaboration allowed the organisations to extend support beyond traditional relief items.

“We wanted to go beyond care packages,” Bailey added. “Access to medical checks and medication is a real need, especially for the elderly and children. This was an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.”

McGhie lauded both the JN Foundation and the Kiwanis Club of Barbican for their contribution to the school and the wider Lethe community.

“This medical mission is an excellent initiative,” she said. “Our community was severely affected by the hurricane, and many people do not have the financial means to travel to Montego Bay to see a doctor. Bringing the service here to Lethe made a significant difference.”

Among those who benefitted was Lethe resident Asha Moodie, who brought her two youngest children to be evaluated.

“It was very good that the doctors came here today,” Moodie said. “Many of us are unable to leave the community to get medical treatment. I brought my children because I haven’t been able to take them to the doctor since the hurricane. So this was helpful.”

Omar Wright, lead for Environment and Community Development Programmes at the JN Foundation, said the communities selected for intervention were chosen based on ongoing needs since the passage of the hurricane, including access to basic amenities and healthcare.

“A key part of the JN Foundation’s mission is to help Jamaicans rebound and emerge stronger after disasters,” Mr Wright said. He noted that, with the assistance of St John Ambulance Jamaica, the foundation has treated more than 1,000 people across the country since November.

“During this mission alone, we treated more than 100 residents, including children and the elderly,” he highlighted. 

He also acknowledged the partnership of the Kingston-based Rotary of Club of Trafalgar New Heights, which donated several items to include non-perishable foods, cleaning and sanitary products, several of which were distributed to grateful residents of Lethe and residents of Santa Cruz and its environs in St Elizabeth.  

In addition to medical services, volunteers from the Kiwanis Club of Barbican conducted clean-up and minor repair work at the school. This included cleaning classrooms, repairing bathroom fixtures, replacing light bulbs, and restoring furniture damaged by floodwaters.

Bailey said the physical improvements are intended to restore a sense of safety and normality for students and staff as recovery continues.

“Our hope is that these improvements will help create a more welcoming learning environment while the school works toward full recovery,” she said.