In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, schools across Jamaica are fighting to find a "new normal." Recovery is an uneven road—while some doors have reopened, many families are still navigating damaged homes and strained resources. In times like these, the basic necessity of a meal becomes a bridge back to the classroom.

Hurricane Melissa disrupted education for more than 150,000 students in Jamaica. This article explains why restoring classrooms matters, what UNICEF is doing, and how StarterBlox Foundation is supporting recovery at Mount Airy Primary School.

Hurricane Melissa exposed long-standing weaknesses in Jamaica’s school infrastructure, leaving many children without safe places to learn. While large-scale rebuilding will take time, targeted, community-based support can help students return to education with stability and dignity. This article outlines why school infrastructure matters for recovery and how StarterBlox Foundation is responding in a focused, realistic way.

We recently connected with an administrator at Mount Airy Primary in Westmoreland, Jamaica. The update we received was difficult to hear. Several classrooms were destroyed during Hurricane Melissa, including the one shown in the photo.