As Jamaicans rebuild following Hurricane Melissa, steps are also being made to provide counselling support for the nation’s educators.

President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Mark Malabver says educators across the country have expressed that they are overwhelmed and traumatized by the hurricane.

IRIE FM News spoke with several teachers who noted that they suffered tremendous loss and are worried about missing relatives.

It is against this background, that the Pamella’s Sunrise Foundation, in collaboration with the Guidance Counselling Unit of the Education Ministry and the Jamaica Poets Nomadic College and School Tour, will be providing psycho-therapeutic support for educators.

The trauma-informed sessions will take place today and Monday, November 10.

Both sessions will be held on Zoom at 5 PM.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, Founding Director of the non-profit U.S.-based organization, Denise Johnston, noted the importance of providing support to educators, as the professionals serve the nation’s children.

Johnston said the Foundation acknowledges that without timely intervention and healing, this trauma could have lasting effects.

Pamella’s Sunrise Foundation is based in Sacramento, California.

It is organizing a missions team to travel to Jamaica with much-need supplies to bolster Jamaica’s hurricane relief and recovery effort.

However, as part of an ongoing initiative, once connectivity is restored, the Foundation aims to provide online trauma support for counsellors, peer and community leaders, as well as families.