‘We will build back stronger’ - Mini Miss St Elizabeth urges children to stay positive after Hurricane Melissa

Alexia Jappa, the reigning Mini Miss St Elizabeth Heritage Queen, is calling on children whose lives have been impacted by Hurricane Melissa to remain hopeful, assuring them that "we will build back stronger as a parish".

Like many students in western Jamaica, the 12-year-old has been out of school since the storm struck on October 28. The first-form student of Bishop Gibson High School in Manchester is expected to return to classes next week.

However, for many others, the wait will be much longer. Several schools remain closed due to extensive damage or because they are still being used as emergency shelters. In other cases, the facilities have no electricity or running water, making it impossible for regular classes to resume.

Alexia told THE WEEKEND STAR that she worries about the long-term effects of the disruption on her peers.

"I feel really worried for them because they're already behind with schoolwork, and to know that most of them have lost everything, it will be hard to catch up," she said.

As St Elizabeth continues to rebuild from the hurricane's devastation, Alexia is using her voice and platform to inspire her peers to stay grounded and mentally strong.

"Even though it's been really hard, I always try to keep faith in God," Alexia told THE WEEKEND STAR.

"I would tell other children to never stop believing in themselves and to always have faith in God, no matter what. When you feel down or bored, talk to your family or friends, it really helps to free your mind."

Her mother, Kadine Hamilton, described Alexia as "a beacon of hope" not only for their community, but for many children across Jamaica. She said their own home was not spared from the hurricane's fury.

"Everything right now in St Elizabeth is about rebuilding," Hamilton said. "Our home was badly affected, my kitchen and living room was like YS Falls when the rain came down. The zinc almost flew off, and appliances stopped working. But in the middle of all that, Alexia keeps pushing to help others."

As she prepares to represent the breadbasket parish at the upcoming Mini Miss Jamaica Heritage Queen Competition in December, Jappa said she intends to continue using her platform to highlight the ongoing recovery efforts in her community.

"My people are in desperate need of rebuilding, but God is already at the forefront. Our breadbasket parish is being replenished by good souls from Jamaica and around the world. Soon, St Elizabeth will be restored to the parish that provides much of our island's food," she said.