Photo Caption: Kemesha Clarke (left), public relations officer for the Goshen Community Development Committee (CDC), points out the damage caused by Hurricane Beryl to the Goshen Postal Agency while standing inside the affected building with Hyacinth Greaves (right), a resident of Goshen and member of the JN Circle Santa Cruz chapter.

Three months after Hurricane Beryl wreaked havoc in sections of St Elizabeth, residents of Goshen, particularly pensioners and PATH beneficiaries who rely on the postal agency for their survival, are still feeling the effects.

The category four hurricane that brushed the island on July 3 severely damaged the roof of the postal agency, forcing its closure and the relocation of its operations to the Pepper and Santa Cruz post offices.

The disruption has not only created a significant inconvenience for those who rely on the mail services, but has also halted a vital connection for farmers in the community, who also used the postal agency to consult with specialists from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) weekly.

“This facility serves so many persons in and outside of Goshen, so we’d be more than happy to have it back here to serve our community members instead of them taking a taxi out to Santa Cruz to pick up mail or go out to the RADA office. RADA came here once per week. Also, the Post Mistress sometimes takes her lunch time to bring stuff to the vulnerable and it is more difficult for her to leave Pepper to come to them now,” said Kemesha Clarke, public relations officer for the Goshen Community Development Committee.

Hyacinth Greaves, a resident of Goshen and member of the JN Circle Santa Cruz chapter agreed that the relocation has resulted in a great inconvenience for the community. She explained that while those with vehicles manage, many, particularly the elderly and those without transportation, face added hardships, as the nearest options for the services are now four to six miles away.

“It’s not easy. For those who are vulnerable and those who are sick. They just aren’t able to do it. Some of them do have help in terms of asking a friend or neighbour to collect their mail, but the community would still like to collect their mail in their own community here in Goshen. We really would like to have our postal agency back up and running as quickly as possible,” Ms Greaves said.

She said although there are options to receive utility bills and other information via digital channels, the community is home to a large elderly population who lack the skills and resources to use the technology.

“Some of them are still using their old banger phones and some don’t know how to use online banking and things like that and so we need to remember them. We are seeking the cooperation of those who can help and assist to do so,” she pleaded.

Recognising the importance of the communal space for the community, the JN Group, through the JN Foundation, has targeted the postal agency as one of the beneficiaries for support through the I Support Jamaica Fund, to help with its restoration and strengthen the community in the aftermath of the hurricane.

“Even as the government identifies funds and steps in to support institutions, many continue to face significant challenges. The need is just so great. Places like the Goshen Postal Agency are where we are trying to intervene to pull attention to their need and to of course attract funding to assist,” shared Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, in a recent interview on the St Elizabeth-based community radio station, GT Reggae Radio.

The JN Group launched the I Support Jamaica Fund shortly after the passage of the hurricane to help schools and communal spaces recover from Hurricane Beryl. Donations are still being encouraged. Persons can donate to the fund at JN Bank Jamaica to account number: 2094768349. Details on more ways to donate are also on the JN Group and JN Foundation websites.

“We have made some donations already, courtesy of JN Money and we are making a final push for the month of October and we hope to wrap it up and hand over the funds to the beneficiaries shortly thereafter. We hope to get them in the hands of the beneficiaries in time for Christmas,” Ms Allen said.

The Goshen Sports Complex, another vital communal space, in St Elizabeth also suffered significant damage from the hurricane and is also targeted for support.

“Our efforts are also focused on helping to restore this vital space, so it can once again serve as a place of connection, comfort, and shared memories,” said Ms Allen.