Ms Inez - Passionate about People

While many people were preparing their homes and getting their families ready for Hurricane Beryl, 65-year-old Inez Williams, a resident of Clarendon, was busy preparing the Portland Cottage Primary School as a shelter in her community just in case children and their families needed a place of refuge. Portland Cottage is one of the communities severely affected by Hurricane Beryl, the category 4 hurricane which devastated mainly the southern and eastern parts of the island.

Married for 31 years and a mother of nine children ranging from 26 to 47 years old, Ms. Inez, as she is affectionately called, has seen her fair share of hurricanes. After witnessing firsthand, the trauma that occurrences like these can cause, her desire was to contribute in some way, despite being affected herself.

When Ms Inez spoke with UNICEF Representative, Olga Isaza, her enthusiasm for volunteerism and lending a helping hand shone brightly. “Once there are people in the shelter, it will remain open,” she said.

Sean PryceHundreds turn out to collect relief supplies at the Portland Cottage Primary School in Clarendon. In total 3,600 hygiene kits will be distributed to severely affected communities. UNICEF’s response is part of a larger effort to ensure that 11,000 children are supported in the aftermath of the hurricane through cash transfers, child friendly spaces and other initiatives.

I love to help people and love to see them happy. During Hurricane Ivan in 2004, I saw many people who were devastated, who lost their family members and homes, and even though I was not trained for that purpose, I decided to take up the challenge. When the call came out for training of Shelter Managers, I took it on, along with the training in First Aid. I have had several trainings with ODPEM, Red Cross and other agencies.

Ms Inez, Shelter Manager

Having served as a trained Shelter Manager for the past 20 years, some of Ms. Inez’s responsibilities include working with her team members to get the shelter prepared and open, once there is a warning, and ensuring that community members have all they need to stay safe before, during and after a hurricane.

Hurricane Dean

In 2007 when Hurricane Dean affected the island, Ms. Inez was at the shelter helping to care for those who sought comfort, and it was not until a day after she realized that her home and all her furniture were completely gone. Even after a part of her house was rebuilt, she stayed at the shelter for two weeks, until everyone left.

Hurricane Beryl

When the warning was issued on July 2 by the Government of Jamaica for Hurricane Beryl, Ms. Inez knew she needed to jump into action. She and another shelter manager cleaned the Portland Cottage Primary school and started registering those who came in. In all, they cared for 80 people including 37 children. The children were engaged in indoor games and stories to help keep them distracted from the storm that raged around them. Even the shelter was affected as the roof of one of the sections was damaged and Ms Inez had to relocate some of the people to another area of the shelter.  

For me, what stood out was how fearful the people were. They were very frightened especially about what they could lose due to the hurricane. As shelter manager, I tried to encourage them and prayed with and for them, reminding them that God is in control and that there is hope.

Ms Inez

After the hurricane, more people arrived at the shelter, as some of them lost their roofs. Ms. Inez’s own home was not spared, as the capping of the roof went with the strong winds and water came in and destroyed some of her household items. Even then, she still didn’t leave the shelter until everyone left. Her family helped repair the leaking areas of her home while she was at the shelter.

Days after the hurricane passed, many families returned home, with one person remaining at the shelter for up to a week. The shelter continues to be a space of solace as many community members come back to collect hot meals served by overseas volunteers.  

Donna-Marie RoweMany buildings lost their roofs during Hurricane Beryl, which lashed coastal communities in Clarendon, St Catherine, and St Elizabeth with category four rain and winds.

She also rallied the help of other community members to help those most vulnerable. There was an elderly woman and her senior daughter who wanted to return home but couldn’t because part of their roof was gone. Ms. Inez called some men from the community to help to repair the roof, and they went as far as May Pen to get the necessary supplies. “I’ll never forget how grateful the elderly lady was when she called to thank me for getting the men to fix their roof so they could return home.”

Ms. Inez has never regretted her decision to become a shelter manager, even though it comes with its own set of challenges. “A day in the life of a shelter manager may look good to those who may be watching, but I can assure you that it's tough. But when you really care for the lives of others, you put yourself in front and be the mother hen facing the danger,” she explained.

For those thinking of becoming a shelter manager, Ms. Inez has some advice: “It's not about money but it's about loving and caring for others. Go out there and do it and when all is said and done, you will be fulfilled.”

Despite her own home and family being affected by hurricanes each time, Ms. Inez will not let this deter her from volunteering and helping others. “l will do it again and again because somebody has to do it,” she reasoned. 

Sean PryceMs. Inez has never regretted her decision to become a shelter manager, even though it comes with its own set of challenges.

About this blog

UNICEF's response to the plight of children and their families in the aftermath of Category 4 Hurricane Beryl includes ensuring that 11,000 children are supported through child friendly spaces, water points, and other initiatives including monetary support for families with children under five years old, pregnant and lactating women and people with disabilities. Relief supplies continue to be distributed to the most affected areas while child protection, water, hygiene and sanitation are among the key focus areas for UNICEF. 

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