When Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on October 28, 2025, it became the strongest hurricane ever recorded to strike the island. Widespread power outages cut families off from the information and communication they needed most. In response, Unite to Light partnered with local organizations, Rotary and AirLink to deliver 600 solar chargers, providing a reliable source of power when the electrical grid could not.
In the aftermath of hurricanes and other natural disasters, access to electricity becomes essential for charging phones, receiving emergency updates, contacting loved ones, and powering small medical devices. Portable solar chargers provide a reliable source of renewable energy when the electrical grid is damaged or unavailable, helping families stay connected and safe during recovery.
The Category 5 storm left devastation in its midst, causing an estimated $8–15 billion in damages and severely impacting communities across the country. Among the hardest hit areas was Bunkers Hill, a rural community located in the Cockpit Country region of Northern Trelawny.
More than four months later, many families in Bunkers Hill were still living without reliable electricity. Over 24,000 homes had been destroyed, thousands of livelihoods disrupted, and essential needs were not available to community members.
The Power of Partnership
One of the most important lessons we have learned through disaster response work around the world, is that effective recovery depends on strong local partnerships. When the Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch, which has previously partnered to send solar power solutions to Ukraine, reached out wanting to help, we knew we needed a reliable partner on the ground. Together we approached the Rotary Club of New Kingston to see if they could assist with distribution on the ground.
To ensure the solar chargers reached Jamaica quickly, Unite to Light partnered with Airlink, a nonprofit organization that provides free transportation and logistics support for humanitarian aid worldwide, helping move critical supplies to those in need.
But even with well laid plans, unexpected challenges do often occur.
After arriving in Jamaica, the shipment of solar chargers was mistakenly mislabeled and disappeared within the logistics system. For nearly two weeks, organizations searched for the missing shipment. Ultimately, it was the dedication of our local partners that made the difference. Members of the Rotary Club of New Kingston physically traveled to the warehouse and searched for the shipment themselves, eventually locating the misplaced pallet of solar chargers and ensuring they could finally reach the communities that needed them.
Bringing Light to Bunkers Hill
On March 7, 2026, the Rotary Club of New Kingston joined the Golden Eye Foundation, medical professionals, and numerous local and international partners to host the Bunkers Hill Community Health Fair, a comprehensive disaster recovery event serving one of Jamaica’s most vulnerable communities.
The event exceeded expectations, serving 354 residents and providing free medical care, dental services, eye screenings, counseling, vocational support, agricultural consultations, and emergency relief supplies.
Among the most meaningful forms of assistance distributed that day were 150 Unite to Light solar chargers, prioritized for households still living without reliable access to electricity.
Alex Robinson, 2025/26 President of the Rotary Club of New Kingston, witnessed firsthand the impact these solar chargers had on families recovering from Hurricane Melissa:
“One of the most quietly powerful moments of the Bunkers Hill Community Health Fair came not from a medical consultation or a dental chair, but from the distribution of 150 solar chargers donated by Unite to Light.”
As volunteers moved through the community distributing the chargers, residents shared stories of the challenges they continued to face.
“A mother told us her children had not been able to do homework after dark since October. An elderly resident explained that keeping a phone charged– her only means of reaching family or calling for help– had become a daily struggle. For these families, a solar charger was not a convenience. It was connectivity, safety, and a small but meaningful restoration of normalcy in the middle of an ongoing crisis.”
More Than Light
For the families of Bunkers Hill, the solar chargers were more than electricity. They represented an ability to regain a measure of independence after months of uncertainty.
As Robinson reflected:
“These were not people who wanted to be seen as victims, they were a resilient community doing their best under extraordinary circumstances. Receiving a solar charger meant one less impossible problem to solve.“
Unite to Light recognizes that providing light is only part of the solution. Equally important is investing in the partnerships that make effective humanitarian response possible. The successful recovery effort in Bunkers Hill demonstrates that when global organizations, local leaders, and community partners work together, even the most remote and vulnerable communities can be reached.
We are extremely grateful to the Rotary Club of New Kingston, Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch, Airlink, the Golden Eye Foundation, and all the partners who helped ensure that glimmers of both light and hope could be provided to the families of Bunkers Hill.
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