"Jamaica Arts Holding (JAH) must be commended for providing consistent communication updates regarding the devastation created by Hurricane Melissa on the island of Jamaica last week. Similar to the Starlink Satellite System developed by billionaire Elon Musk (which was used by live stream storm chasers), JAH, helmed by Andrea Davis, founder of International Reggae Day, relied on phone networks to inform diasporans about the worsening conditions prevailing."
"From the capital city of Kingston, where electricity maintained WiFi service, JAH defied obstacles to keep diasporans connected via WhatsApp links. From the eve of the Oct. 28 debacle, JAH transmitted video images of the eerie calm that pervaded the area. At that time, a tranquil atmosphere assured viewers that the most populous region might be spared the wrath of a maximum category five landing."
"The following day, with help from her daughter, Angel, and husband, Shaun, she braved the impediments to deliver relief items to the ravaged victims in the parish of St. Elizabeth, which the forceful hurricane had severely impacted. JAH's videos and snapshots enlightened viewers. Earlier this year, during the July 1 International Reggae Day celebrations of the genre, JAH hailed Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley as the recipient of the Winnie Mandela award."
Jamaica Arts Holding used phone networks and WhatsApp links to provide consistent updates and visual documentation during Hurricane Melissa. Kingston retained electricity and WiFi service, enabling JAH to share videos from the eve of Oct. 28 that showed an eerie calm before devastation struck. Captivating footage later revealed flooding thoroughfares, roofless homes and institutions, uprooted trees, and floating automobiles, and a largely darkened island with only Kingston lit. JAH delivered relief items to severely impacted St. Elizabeth with family assistance. JAH previously honored Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley with the Winnie Mandela award during International Reggae Day.
Read at Caribbean Life
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