Category 5 Hurricane Melissa is currently passing destruction and havoc through the streets of Jamaica. The time for preparation has passed, and now we can only wait to hear the extent of the damage. But we know what to expect - this isn't the first storm of this magnitude that our team has been involved in.

We are the Sail Relief Team, a group of artists, builders, and dreamers who came together to turn compassion into action.

Our work began during the 2017 hurricane season, when Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated Florida and Puerto Rico. What started as friends helping friends quickly became a commitment to helping communities across the Caribbean. Since then, after several disasters, we have helped restore community centers, set up emergency radio stations, coordinated the transport of essential supplies, delivered more than 600 small solar kits to families in remote areas, and supported the installation of over 2MW of solar and battery systems for community resilience.

We aren't a distant nonprofit or a large business. We are an active part of our community and can be boots on the ground in others. Our team has the skills to provide remote communities throughout the Caribbean with relief and recovery resources, but only with your help.

Now, as Jamaica faces the approach of Hurricane Melissa — a powerful Category 5 storm expected to make landfall within the next day or two — we’re asking for your support. From initial reports, we know a third of the island is already without power. With the worst winds and rains yet to come, we are preparing for the worst. The extent of the power and infrastructure damage means not only that survivors will be without light or fans - they will also lose medications, life-sustaining medical equipment, and food. Communications to loved ones will likely remain down for weeks if not longer. These communities will be isolated, and first responders will be navigating blindly.

We’ve seen this before — and we know what works. Through our Sail Relief Team, we’re preparing to deploy solar kits across Jamaica to address basic needs. Each solar kit can power a small refrigerator, a cell phone charging station, wifi comms and a few lights. For first responders, this means continuous communication and reduced noise at search and rescue sites. For community centers and individuals, this means storage capacity for medications and perishable food. Our team will coordinate the delivery, distribution, and training for these solar kits to achieve the greatest impact in the community.

We are asking for your support today because time is short. Even a small contribution makes a real difference: $25 helps ship wiring and connectors, $100 supports components, and $1,500 funds a full solar kit. Together, your donations bring light, communication, and hope to communities in need. We are committed to sharing your impact - you will see the first installation and the first lights turn back on.

If you can, please donate and share this campaign with your network. The storm is coming, but with your help, we can make sure Jamaica does not go through this alone. Now, more than ever, solidarity in the face of crisis across the globe is increasingly important.

With gratitude and hope, Oscar Ruiz (on behalf of the Community Through Colors, Sail Relief Team)

Solar Energy Community Relief for Jamaica

Team Members