Campaign
SUPPORT
Light Her Way JA:
Melissa Rapid Response
Hurricane Melissa didn't just destroy homes — it exposed the gender and class gaps in disaster response. Women and girls in Jamaica are often the last to be rescued, the first to lose income, and the most vulnerable to violence in displacement. This campaign puts power — literally and figuratively — back in their hands.
Campaign Goals & Impact
Our Mission
Raise US$150,000 to distribute 500 solar-powered backpacks filled with emergency supplies, plus coordinate temporary shelter for 300+ displaced women and girls in Jamaica post-Hurricane Melissa.
70% of displaced women in Jamaica lack access to safe shelter or charging devices for emergency communication. This campaign doesn't just give aid — it gives agency.
$150K
Fundraising Goal
Supporting 800+ women and girls
500
Solar Backpacks
Power and supplies for survivors
300+
Safe Shelter Spots
Temporary housing coordination
Three-Phase
Implementation Strategy
01
Grassroots Needs Assessment
Conduct community surveys. Use WhatsApp and SMS-based reporting for rapid data collection, mapping displaced women and girls by parish with priority zones in the West side of the island.
02
Backpack Distribution & Empowerment
Deploy mobile distribution in high-need parishes. Each recipient agrees to share solar power with other people in need, fostering community through reciprocity support centers.
03
Shelter Coordination
Use Booking.com's Group Booking and Charity Partner features to reserve blocks of rooms in safe, low-cost guesthouses, hostels, and B&Bs. Partner with local Jamaican hosts for discounted rates. Provide each woman with a housing voucher (7-14 nights) plus local transport stipend. All accommodations vetted for security and accessibility to resources.
Solar Backpack Contents
Power & Communication
  • Solar power bank (5,000-10,000 mAh)
  • Long-range walkie-talkie
Health & Hygiene
  • Reusable water bottle + purification tablets
  • Toiletries kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap)
  • Menstrual products (reusable)
  • First aid kit (143-piece)
Safety & Support
  • Inflatable sleeping mat
  • Flashlight with hand crank
  • Emergency whistle
  • "Light Her Way" empowerment card in Patois and English

Cost Breakdown: $100 per complete pack
Distribution Network & Partnerships
Jamaica Constabulary Force
Partnering with multiple officers across Saint James Parish including Adelphi Station, Barnett Street, Montego Bay HQ, Mount Salem, Anchovy, Barrett Town, Cambridge, Coral Garden, Granville, Spring Mount, and Summit stations for secure distribution access.
Restorative Justice Centers
Partnering with existing centers to provide community conferencing and support emotional well-being folllowing a traumatic event.
Long-Term Impact & Sustainability
Building Lasting Change
This campaign ensures that Jamaican women and girls are not just survivors — they are leaders in their own recovery. By combining grassroots data collection, tech-enabled shelter coordination, and culturally resonant storytelling, we create sustainable community networks.
We'll create a "Light Her Way JA" network for recipients to share resources, job leads, and mutual aid. A public dashboard will show backpacks distributed, women sheltered, and impact stories. A "Circle of Care" reunion event in Jamaica post-hurricane will celebrate resilience and collect feedback for future campaigns.
"Donate $100 today — and help a Jamaican woman charge her phone, wash her face, and find a safe bed. Because when she has power, she has hope. And when she has hope, she has everything."
70%
Women Lacking Safe Shelter
100%
Transparency Commitment
Fundraising & Engagement Strategy
Crowdfunding Campaign
Tiered rewards:
$25 → “Light Her Way JA” digital badge
$50 → Personalized thank-you note
$100 → Name a backpack
$500 → Virtual “Circle of Power” recognition
Social Media Movement
Hashtags
#LightHerWayJamaica
#PowerMelissaSurvivors
#SolarBackpacks4JA
#PowerJamaica
Funding Partnerships
Women and Girls
Innovation
Rapid Response
Community Events
"Reggae Night" benefit concerts with local DJs and Jamaican food vendors.
"Backpack Build-a-Thon" events where volunteers assemble backpacks while donors sponsor each one, creating hands-on engagement opportunities.