57 Hanover churches get government grants for hurricane repairs

Western Bureau:

Some 57 churches in Hanover, spanning several denominations, have received government grants totalling $8.49 million to assist with their Hurricane Mellissa re-building effort under the Government’s Community Church Clean-up and Restorative Initiative. 

The cheques were handed over during a recent ceremony at the Hopewell Christian Deliverance Centre, where the sum given to each church was determined by an assessment which was done to determine the level of damage suffered during the passage of the Category 5 hurricane.

The financial assistance to the Hanover churches brings to 158 the number of churches that have benefited to date under the programme, which has so far dispersed J$26.13 million to affected churches. Some 101 churches in St Elizabeth have collectively received $17.63 million.

According to information provided by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development, some 420 churches in St Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St James, Trelawny and Hanover, have been assessed and are down to benefit under the programme, which was widely criticised when it was first announced by the Government.

Andrea Purkiss and Heatha Miller-Bennett, the members of parliament for Hanover Eastern and Hanover Western, respectively, were among those who were supportive of the initiative in Hanover, though they are unhappy with the execution of the Government’s Restoration of Owner or Occupant Family Shelter (ROOFS) programme, based on the number of people still living in less than humane conditions almost eight months after the hurricane.

“Your faith has a lot to do with how you see things,” Miller-Bennett told The Gleaner. “Some amount of attention must be given now under ROOFS because, of course, people are going to say the church has gotten and we have not.” 

While not slighting the needs of her constituents, Purkiss said she had no issue with the churches getting the assistance they have got, citing the critical role the churches play in the various communities. 

“I want to focus mainly on the importance of the Church, and why it is critical that we get the churches up and running again,” she said. “However, I also want to make an appeal though for other segments of the society. Our local businesses are struggling, and they have not received anything from the Government.” 

Purkiss also expressed concern about the persons in her constituency, who were displaced by the hurricane and are still living in shelters, and the fact that many shelters are not ready as the nation enters another hurricane season.

“I am by no means comfortable, as it relates to preparation for the hurricane season which has started, because our shelters are not ready, some of our schools, and a number of community centres have not been rehabilitated,” she argued.

For his part, Hanover Custos Lennox Anderson-Jackson said the churches across the parish are more than just structures of concrete, timber and steel, describing them as refuge to countless individuals in times of adversity.

“The grant ceremony represents far more than financial assistance. It is a powerful statement that the work of our faith-based institutions matters,” he stated. “It is an affirmation that the partnerships between government, community organisations and the Church remain essential to the continued development and recovery of our nation.” 

 editorial@gleanerjm.com