Gospel star Kevin Downswell has been at the forefront of a humanitarian mission, composed of regular Jamaicans, volunteers and gospel artistes, who are helping Jamaicans who have been displaced by Hurricane Melissa to recover from the ravages of the storm.
“For the last three weeks we’ve been on the ground in the West. Right after the storm passed, I reached out to a number of gospel artists and said, we need to come together, pool what we have, and move fast. People didn’t only need food, they needed prayer, strength, hope, and someone to stand with them,”
The ‘Stronger’ singer visited St Elizabeth during the first week of humanitarian efforts with other gospel artiste like John Mark Wiggan, and Prince Saj.
“We were in Lacovia, Middle Quarters, and a few other stops, handing out care packages, praying with families, and partnering with companies like KFC and others who stepped in to help. Everybody gave what they could and it made a real difference,” he said.
During week two, the singer led a coalition of volunteers, Christians, gospel artistes and emergency workers to western Jamaica. Gospel artistes DJ Nicholas and Chevelle Franklyn sent their contributions as they were unable to make the trip in person.
“Week two we were in Montego Bay, St James. Places like Catherine Hall, where the river came down and covered the whole community in mud, and Bogue Heights. We listened, encouraged, prayed, and did everything we could to lift the people there. Last weekend we went into Westmoreland. We visited Baeston Springs, Paradise, and a few other areas that were hit hard. The stories, the strength, the faith, the tears, the gratitude, it stays with you,” he said.
As a rule of thumb, Kevin Downswell and the team ensure that the mission scrounges up enough supplies of necessary toiletries, cooked food and non-perishable goods to serve 250 people each time, on the three trips completed so far.
“We always provide cooked food, Ziggy’s restaurant and KFC Restaurants contribute heavily to that. The Jamaicans out west welcome the cooked food big time because they have no water, no shelter and the food is pre-prepared, so it helps a lot. The best thing is to listen to their story and have a one to one conversation, sometimes the people drop off and don’t linger and talk to the people,” the Stronger singer said.
Downswell theorizes that compassion is as important as the act of charity.
“But we try to listen to their stories..even if you don’t pray, just hold their hand and listen to their conversations, it means a lot to them that we listen, that has been a special part of the journey,” Downswell shared.
He said that the effort has been powered from day one by “a true collective of gospel artistes”.
“What one couldn’t provide, another did. And together we’ve been showing up week after week to make sure people know they’re not forgotten. We love our nation and its people, and we will keep going. One community at a time. One family at a time. One prayer at a time. We will come back stronger,” he said.
