Rebuilding After Historic Hurricane

On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica. The strongest hurricane ever to hit the island, the category 5 storm caused catastrophic damage. The western parishes of the island were severely affected and many areas experienced total devastation. 

The storm came ashore less than 10 miles from Savanna-La-Mar Inclusive Academy (Sav Inclusive), Jamaica’s first public school for full inclusion where students learn together in a mixed-ability environment. 

Sav Inclusive has been a school partner of Lindamood-Bell and Gander Publishing, in collaboration with Creative Language-Based Learning (CLBL), since 2020 as part of a country-wide initiative to improve literacy and numeracy skills for students.  The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information (MoESYI).   

Today, Sav Inclusive needs support more than ever. Hurricane Melissa left the school campus in ruins with roofs torn off, classrooms flooded, therapy rooms and learning materials destroyed. In an effort to help reopen the doors to Sav Inclusive, Gander Publishing will donate 5% of online sales this month to the Rockhouse Foundation’s Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund.

The Rockhouse Foundation builds and refurbishes schools and libraries in Jamaica, transforming the places where children learn. Its Hurricane Melissa Relief Fund provides direct support to rebuild the Sav Inclusive School and to help the students, families, and teachers most affected by the storm. 

To learn more about this effort or to make a direct contribution, go to 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/rockhouse-foundation-hurricane-melissa-relief-fund

All contributions will help to reopen Sav Inclusive’s doors so they can continue to change young lives through inclusion, love, and learning.