After multiple delays and canceled flights, Aunja Williams and Winston Frater, who have both been agricultural workers at Antrim’s Tenney Farm for 20 years, returned home to their families in Jamaica on Nov. 9.
Hurricane Melissa devastated both men’s neighborhoods when it hit the island on Oct. 28, preventing the men from reaching their families for many days.
The Category 5 hurricane hit Jamaica, leaving 72% of the island without power and devastating roads, buildings and infrastructure.
When they were finally able to fly, Williams and Frater brought much-needed supplies and equipment to their families and communities in western Jamaica.
Fundraising efforts organized by Tenney Farm helped provide Starlink satellite phones, solar chargers, water filters, food pouches, and medical supplies for the men’s family members and neighbors affected by the storm.
Crista Salamy of Tenney Farm said that as of the second week in November, the men’s neighborhoods still lack electricity and can only be reached on foot.
Salamy said Frater, Williams and their families wanted to thank the Antrim community “from the bottom of their hearts.”
“Their whole communities come to gather at their homes to charge phones, borrow lights or get food by the dozens daily,” Salamy said. “Despite what they have going on, they feel blessed and so thankful for everything everyone has done and given them. The solar lights, and the charging stations work great, and they love the food pouches.”
Salamy said both men reported that photos of the damage to Jamaica are “not exaggerated,” and that the pictures of the devastation are “very, very accurate.”
“Aunja started driving home but had to turn back. He said the road was cracked in half,” Tenney said. “Winston made it most of the way by car but then he had to walk part of the way. They are both saying it is very tough and that people are in ‘rough shape.'”
Williams shared a video on social media on Nov. 20 of his 2.5 hour trip to a gas station to get fuel for the family’s generator.
Salamy reported that as of Monday, Dec. 1, Frater’s area had finally received emergency drops of food and water, but Williams’ neighborhood still had not received any help, including food.
Salamy said in her most recent Facetime talk with Williams, his community was coping with extreme heat.
“Right now he is taking plastic bags filled with water and freezing them for folks, as it is very, very hot down there right now,” Salamy said. “He has heard that power may be back on in late February.”
Williams was able to purchase a 1,000-gallon water tank, which he is filling from a nearby stream and purifying with tablets.
Tenney Farm, which is closed for the winter, is still selling bumper stickers in support of hurricane relief efforts, which are available at Alberto’s restaurant in Bennington.