Rebuilding Accompong, Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Restoring & Regenerating Neighborhoods & Economy

The Maroons of Accompong have proven their resilience for centuries—ever since they defeated the British and established their sovereign community in the 1700s. Hurricane Melissa has now tested them again—and they are rising up once more.

They urgently need your help to rebuild homes, farms, and businesses devastated by the storm. While emergency food and supplies have arrived, the next step—rebuilding and regenerating—requires substantial support.

With their strong spirit of independence, the Maroons seek to rebuild sustainably, without long-term dependency.

Your donations will help provide:

Solar Power: lamps and chargers immediately; long-term solar systems for energy independence
Satellite Technology: WiFi, Internet, and radio connections
Homes & Roofs: replacing 60 destroyed houses and 200 lost roofs; materials and tools needed
Farming Tools & Business Support: hoes, forks, fertilizer, and training for new enterprises using native plants (teas, spices, oils)

The Respecting Culture & Earth Foundation (RCEF), a U.S.-based 501(c)(3), has partnered with the Accompong Maroon community since 2019. Our goal is to raise $100,000 USD to support their restoration and regeneration.

Please give what you can at https://www.respectingcultureandearth.org/donate-collaborate.They are tax-deductible. Please share this appeal widely. The needs are urgent.

Contact:
Gretchen Wilbur, RCEF President
📧 rcekindah@gmail.com | wilburg09@gmail.com
Resident of Accompong since 2018

Cultural Arts

Visual and performing arts promotion and workshops.
Disseminating the Maroon legacy across the globe.
Integrating the arts in teaching and learnings.

Indigenous Plant Product Development

Producing and marketing healing and art products made from indigenous plants including herbal teas, spices, jewelry, drums, and textiles.
Community Habitat and Environmental Activism
Maintaining the natural Accompong habitat
Harvesting solar, water, wind power in responsible ways
Sustaining rare Cockpit Country ecosystem