The Caribbean Student Association paid it forward with a week dedicated to supporting Hurricane Melissa relief.
The organization hosted three events aimed at giving back to Jamaica and Haiti, two countries impacted by the hurricane. Members raised money, donated supplies and wrote letters to families to send ahead of Thanksgiving.
“We don’t want them waiting forever to rebuild their home,” said Diamond Spence, the association’s president.
Hurricane Melissa hit the Caribbean as a Category 5 hurricane late last month. The storm, with winds reaching up to 185 mph, was the strongest ever to make landfall in Jamaica. Now, recovery efforts are in place — even from over a thousand miles away.
All week CSA partnered with different organizations to help out. Through Monday, students could donate to its supply drive aimed at women’s and baby hygiene. The organization was looking for diapers, baby wipes, gently used clothing and more.
If students could not make it in person, CSA set up an Amazon wishlist that allowed people to purchase items and get it shipped directly to Spence. Donated items would then be sent to Spence’s family in New York, where Spence and her family will pack it and ship it to Jamaica. She said her family will be going to St. Elizabeth Parish in Jamaica for Thanksgiving to help out.
On the list were packs of deodorant, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes. It also included canned food items and supplies such as backpacks, notebooks and camping gear.
Last Tuesday, students came together for a traditional Caribbean meal including jerk chicken, rasta pasta and curry shrimp. The association partnered with the Theta Kappa chapter of Omega Psi Phi, which donated the chicken.
Along with food and community, members attended to give back. Entry to the dinner cost $10 and accepted any other donations. Spence said it raised $215, which went towards high priority items on the wishlist that were not purchased yet.
Spence is the reason the association exists today on campus. Although it started in 2001, the organization would often expire as members graduated with nobody to continue it.
She said she wanted to bring authentic Caribbean culture back to LSU and decided to pick it back up in March. Since then, Spence said it has meant everything to its members and created the best friend group.
‘One Love Week’ was inspired by more than just the club’s connection to the Caribbean. Spence said it was a way to pay it forward if there comes a time where the tables are turned.
“You never know when you’ll be in a situation where you need help from somebody else,” Spence said.
On Thursday, CSA went out to Free Speech Alley with the Innocence Club to get students to write encouraging messages to those in Jamaica.
Members called students over to them with index cards and colorful makers. Simple messages such as “Be strong” and “Sending love” was all that was needed.
For some students, the message was personal. Alyssa Brown, a psychology and neuroscience sophomore, was thinking of her family in Jamaica when she wrote her card.
Brown said it is important to show support for natural disasters that affect areas that do not get much attention. On her card, she wrote “Likkle but tallawah” meaning ‘Small, but strong’ in Jamaican.
Other students could only try and relate to how those in Jamaica were feeling. Kolin Netter, a biochemistry sophomore, said he remembers how devastated his family was after the 2016 Louisiana floods.
Netter said words of encouragement go a long way and wrote “Don’t be afraid to smile” on his card. He said he hoped the person sees the card, thinks it is corny and smiles from it.
The added layer of the holiday season was another motivator for Spence. She said she is thinking of children that lost everything.
“Kids can’t even look for presents,” Spence said. “They’re looking for their home and their school.”
