Three months after Hurricane Beryl swept through St. Elizabeth, residents of Goshen, particularly pensioners and PATH beneficiaries who depend on the local postal agency, continue to struggle with the disruption.
The Category 4 storm, which brushed the island on July 3, caused severe damage to the roof of the Goshen postal agency, forcing its closure and the relocation of services to the Pepper and Santa Cruz post offices.
The closure has created a significant inconvenience for residents who rely on the post office, including local farmers who used the facility to consult with specialists from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) on a weekly basis.
“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, echoed similar concerns, highlighting the challenges faced by the elderly and those without transportation. “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 neighbor 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 added that while there are digital options for receiving utility bills and other correspondence, many elderly residents lack the skills and resources to use 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 urged.
Recognizing the ongoing challenges, the JN Group, through its JN Foundation, has identified the Goshen Postal Agency as a beneficiary of support through the I Support Jamaica Fund to aid in its restoration.
“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,” said Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, in an interview with St. Elizabeth-based GT Reggae Radio.
The JN Group launched the I Support Jamaica Fund shortly after Hurricane Beryl to assist in the recovery of schools and communal spaces. Donations can be made through JN Bank Jamaica, with details available 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. We hope to get the funds to the beneficiaries in time for Christmas,” Ms. Allen added.
Additionally, the Goshen Sports Complex, another key communal space, also suffered significant damage during the hurricane and is 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.
