“Impact South”, launched in July, is now collecting donations for a Back to School Drive ahead of school resumption in September.
Following the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July, the Andrews Memorial District of Seventh-day Adventist Churches, launched a monumental humanitarian relief project, dubbed "Impact South," donating 500 packages amounting to over $1 million dollars so far to assist those severely affected in the parish of Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica.
Led by pastor of the district, Dr. Omar Oliphant, the leaders and members of both the Andrews Memorial and New Kingston churches - having experienced a minor impact from the hurricane in Kingston - decided to share Christ’s love with those greatly affected elsewhere.
The parish of St Elizabeth was reported in local news as having “complete devastation”, noting damage to numerous homes, schools and institutions, uprooted trees, and impassable roads.
“We reached out to our connections in Saint Elizabeth and found out that it was really grave,” Pastor Oliphant explained. “There was consensus in both church boards for us to do something to engage, reach out and touch the lives of those impacted.”
The three-phased project, Impact South, was initiated with the aim to provide immediate relief and long-term support to help the affected communities rebuild their lives.
Photo: Young members of the Andrews Memorial SDA Church observe extensive damage to the Bull Savannah Preparatory School caused by Hurricane Beryl. :: Photo credit: Ruth-Ann Brown
First Phase
Donations poured in from church members, non-Adventist institutions and the Jamaican diaspora, during the week of July 22 to 26, 2024, after the first public appeal was made. This formed part of the first phase of the project, which focused on providing immediate daily necessities. The church became a central drop-off site for water, food, clothing, toiletries, tarpaulin, bedding, cleaning supplies and even a gas cylinder.
At the end of the week, church volunteers led by project leaders Elder Vermont Murray (Andrews) and Donna Davis (New Kingston) worked tirelessly, dedicating their time to sort through the donations received, preparing them for distribution.
First Elder of the Andrews Memorial Church, Elder Keith Nugent was floored by the outpouring love and sacrifice of the church members.
“We had a team of volunteers rotating throughout. There was a clothes-sorting crew and a food-packing crew. We had more hands than we were able to accommodate, I was happy to see the spirit of our members caring for their brothers and sisters”, explained Elder Nugent.
Photo: Andrews Memorial Church District members prepare packages for distribution. :: Photo credit:
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Be The Sermon
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, A caravan including a busload of church members traveled to Saint Elizabeth to distribute packages, pray, and offer encouragement to the hurricane victims.
The initiative has already made a significant difference, with many residents expressing their gratitude while recounting their horrid experiences.
One beneficiary, Karen Dixon, a resident of Ballards Valley in St Elizabeth shared her shock during the hurricane’s passing.
“It was terrible man, me and my son and my brother, it was an awful night. We were in this house and when everything lift 3:30-4:00, it was the longest evening. We moved into the bathroom for most of the night,” said Karen.
Arianne Pryce (right) a member of the Andrews Memorial SDA Church hands a donated package to Karen Dixon (left), a resident of Ballards Valley, in St Elizabeth. To the right her house stands with roof damage. :: Photo credit: Lamoyjé Fletcher
Parish coordinator and pastor of the Bull Savannah district of churches in St Elizabeth, Pastor Devon Heath gave guidance as to which areas were most in need. He was grateful for the support and donations.
"Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus in our time of need in the aftermath of hurricane Beryl. The generosity shown is a beacon of hope in the midst of devastation. We know that both the members and persons within the surrounding communities of the district, who received food packages, are indeed thankful for your kindness. Your donation is a blessing,” said Pastor Heath.
When asked why the sabbath was chosen for the impact, Pastor Oliphant responded, “It’s a part of ‘being the sermon’, where we do more than just talking, more than just preaching, we become the hands, feet, voice of Jesus, and Jesus said we are to do good on the Sabbath!”
Photo: Church leaders, Pastor Omar Oliphant and Bro. Ransford Ricketts pray with a victim of Hurricane Beryl during Impact South visit to St Elizabeth. :: Photo credit: Ruth-Ann Brown
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New Phase: Back to School Drive
Since then "Impact South" has continued its efforts. On the heels of school resumption in September, the second phase of the project has commenced. The goal is to ensure that students have the necessary supplies and support as they return to school.
“We need some bags, books and pencils, crayons, geometry sets… and some belts for the young men as well,” said Oliphant.
The church district is currently accepting donations of back to school supplies, cash, building supplies and roofing materials. Gifts and donations can be dropped off at the church. Through partnership with the Good Samaritan Foundation, donations can also be received from overseas.
Rebuilding to Follow
The final phase will focus on the selection of one or two projects to assist with repair and rebuilding.
For more information on how to support "Impact South," please contact the Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church at 29 Hope Road, Kingston 10 or call (876) 690-9680 or +1 (876) 221-9405
About Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church:
Located in the East Jamaica Conference, the Andrews Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church is dedicated to serving the community through various outreach programs and initiatives. The church is committed to promoting spiritual growth and providing support to those in need.