When Hurricane Melissa tore through the Welcome Hall district, St James, local handyman Albert Dawkins watched his life disintegrate in seconds. He was just preparing to leave when the strong wind ripped away the back addition of his home. By the time he scrambled to the front section, the entire structure had torn apart, surrendering completely to the power of the wind.
Mr. Dawkins found refuge in a small hole beneath the floor of his wooden house. As he hunkered down, the hurricane leveled the building, blowing away every possession he owned. For the next three months, that hole in the ground covered only by a thin tarpaulin, became his only shelter.
:: Photo credit: Contrributed
Mr. Dawkins’ journey from debris to dignity began when Pastor Shane Neal, District Pastor of the Welcome Hall District, and a team of volunteers from the Caribbean Union Conference were nearby assisting with repairs on a church member’s home. A relative of Mr. Dawkins approached the Pastor, pleading for him to look at a neighbor in dire need.
“When we went over, we were shocked to see that he was living in a hole in the ground covered by a tarpaulin,” Pastor Neal reflected. “We realized that he was living in a deplorable condition.”
The months following the storm had been a grueling battle for survival. Living at ground level, Mr. Dawkins fought off rats and stray dogs that frequently stole what little food neighbors provided.
:: Photo credit: Contributed
“When we met him, he was very sad, he felt hopeless, like giving up,” Pastor Neal shared. “I spoke to him, reassuring him that we would get help. He started crying.”
The promise of help transformed Mr. Dawkins almost instantly. By the time the team returned to begin construction, the handyman had already cleared the site, which was filled with debris.
“I saw a different individual from the first time I met him. I saw hope ignited within him,” the Pastor noted.
As materials from the conference arrived and the community witnessed the church team breaking ground, the atmosphere in the neighborhood shifted from one of tragedy to one of celebration. The project became more than just a construction site; it became a living sermon.
“Many individuals came by and brought food and promised to help me build a shelter, but no one returned. “I am very thankful to the West Jamaica conference and the team of volunteers for the help that I have received,” expressed Mr. Dawkins.
:: Photo credit: Contributed
Today, Mr. Dawkins is no longer battling the elements or scavengers. He has a roof over his head and a renewed sense of belonging. For Pastor Neal and his team, the project served as a powerful reminder of the church’s role in the community. Through this act of service, the Welcome Hall District team proved that sometimes the most effective way to share a message is with a hammer and a helping hand.