Meet Mr. and Mrs. Smart
“We Lost Everything” – Francis & Neville Smart’s Story from Spring Mount
Watch the video below to hear Francis and Neville’s story in their own words and see the conditions they are facing today. Donate Today: rebuildjoy.org/donate
We had the privilege of sitting with Francis and Neville Smart and hearing their story directly. Their strength, faith, and love for their family remind us why this work matters.
Francis and Neville are an elderly couple who have lived in Spring Mount, St. James for decades.
They raised their children there.
They welcomed their grandchildren there.
Their four-bedroom home was more than a house. It was a place of gathering, safety, and family.
But nothing prepared them for Hurricane Melissa.
When the Category 5 storm hit Jamaica, powerful winds and heavy rains tore through their community. Trees fell. Roofs were ripped away. Entire structures collapsed.
Francis and Neville’s home was destroyed.
For this family, the storm did not just damage a building.
It separated a household of eight.
A home that held generations
Before the hurricane, Francis and Neville’s home sheltered:
their children
their grandchildren
multiple generations under one roof
It was a place of shared meals, bedtime stories, laughter, and prayer.
After Hurricane Melissa, that home was gone.
Now, their grandsons are trying to build temporary shelter using wooden boards and zinc sheets because they have nowhere else to go. These makeshift structures offer little protection from rain, heat, or future storms.
Separated and displaced
Because Francis's husband, Neville is an amputee and elderly, they cannot return to the damaged property.
They are now staying in a one-bedroom home with relatives, while their grandchildren and other family members are scattered between different locations.
The family that once lived together is now divided.
They miss:
being under one roof
caring for their grandchildren daily
sharing meals as a family
feeling safe in their own space
“We just want our family back together,” Francis shared.
Why their story matters
Francis and Neville represent many elderly couples across Jamaica who lost not just homes, but family stability after Hurricane Melissa.
Elders often:
live on limited income
cannot rebuild without help
depend on family support
face health challenges
are deeply rooted in their communities
Without assistance, families like theirs remain displaced and separated.
Adopt Francis & Neville: Help reunite their family
Donate Today: rebuildjoy.org/donate
By adopting Francis and Neville through monthly or one-time support, you help fund:
rebuilding safe housing
materials and transportation
labor and oversight
storm-resilient construction
Your support helps bring their family back under one roof.
They have spent their lives caring for others.
Now, we can care for them.
Help us rebuild joy
Francis and Neville are not asking for luxury.
They are asking for safety, stability, and togetherness.
With your help, we can make that possible.
Together, we can rebuild homes.
Together, we can reunite families.
Together, we can Rebuild Joy.
