Hurricane Ivan hit Jamaica less than a year ago but several persons have not yet recovered from the devastation caused when the system slammed into the island. Hurricane Ivan, a dangerous category four hurricane packing winds of up to 145mph, moved across Jamaica forging a path of death and destruction which is still vivid in the minds of those affected. Ivan was the deadliest hurricane to hit Jamaica since the infamous hurricane Gilbert in 1988.

Grasford Gooden of Belvedere in Westmoreland described hurricane Ivan as one of the most terrifying experiences in his life. "I have been around for quite a while now and I have never seen such damage and destruction" he said.

A section of Mr. Gooden's two bedroom board house was severely damaged during the hurricane. "I lost my entire roof; all six of us had to curl up in one section of the house. All we could do is fret and pray that we live to see morning," he noted.

Gooden lives with his wife and four children ages 19, 16, 12 and ten years old. The residents of Belvedere suffered extensive damage during hurricane Ivan; most of the houses being board structures were severely affected.

Another community in Westmoreland that suffered tremendously from the winds of hurricane Ivan is Darliston. Jurdine James explains "Everyone in the community suffered some damage. No one was spared. Not one house was left untouched."

Ms. James had the roof of her board dwelling blown off by the category four winds of the hurricane. Mrs. James lives with her husband and two of her eight children along with two grandchildren.

The Jamaica Red Cross (JRC) immediately launched a humanitarian effort pulling on all its resources and its thousands of volunteers to aid in the recovery process. Lois Hue, Deputy Director General at JRC, said that the strength of the people on the ground in communities that were severely hit, especially in St. Thomas , aided significantly in the relief operations.

"We have always urged our branches to have a strong community network and to have a community disaster plan that can be implemented until we at headquarters can respond," Hue pointed out.

Darliston and Belvedere were two of the several communities across the island to which the Jamaica Red Cross responded hastily to the needs of the people.

"Red Cross help us out good good, everybody in the community get a little thing," informed Mrs. Gooden, wife of Grasford Gooden. She added that the family benefited greatly from the help of the JRC. "We lost almost all our belongings and those which were saved were badly damaged by the water, including all our clothes".

Mr. Gooden, not wanting to be left out added that all the items received were useful. "The blanket nice and warm; up to the other day me wrap up in it when the rain was pouring". Mrs. James concurred: "Ivan set us back bad. I had a little savings that I had to draw on and if it wasn't for that and the Red Cross, I don't know what would have happened".

The JRC has aided Mrs. James by providing her and her family with food packages, hygiene kits, blankets and other necessities after the onslaught of the hurricane. With the help of the JRC she has been able to replace 75% of her roof and for that she is grateful. "I wasn't looking for anything and I got something from them (JRC) and I am thankful because they did not have to give us anything," she added.

According to the Goodens the help provided by the JRC came when it was needed the most and has helped them to get back on there feet.

Even though they have been through a lot with the physical and psychological trauma caused by the hurricane, they still have a lot to smile about. Their eldest daughter has recently graduated from Mt. Alvernia High and they are putting the relevant mechanisms in place to get her through college. Meanwhile, their 12year old has been successful in her Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and is on her way to Cambridge High School .

Feresa Gayle, a mother of five who lives in the Flagaman community in St. Elizabeth, has had her world virtually shattered by hurricane Ivan. She lost everything including her husband.

"Every time I remember that night I feel a hole inside of me that keeps getting bigger and bigger" she said, her voice betraying her as she tried desperately to hold back her tears.

"That night was the most horrible night of my life."

Mrs. Gayle says she tries hard to forget that night but it is very difficult as she is reminded every time she looks into her children's eyes knowing that she cannot give them the things they need.

"Every time I remember that it's me alone, I want to cry because even though I do a little days work, the money cannot stretch too far".

"Ivan was terrible. It all happened so fast. The house started shaking, then it was falling apart and before we knew it we had to run out. The children were so frightened, they kept on screaming and crying," said Mrs. Gayle, recounting the night that changed her live forever. "We had to run out of the house and run into the church."

The church Mrs. Gayle is referring to is the Flagaman New Testament Church of God which was to be her home for the next three months. Her husband however would only spend a short time in the shelter; he died exactly one week to the date of the hurricane. Mrs. Gayle is trying her best to make ends meet but things have been increasingly difficult.

She explains that after being in the church for over three months, she finally got a dilapidated structure from a friend. However, after fixing up the house making it as comfortable as possible for her and her children, she found herself back on the streets.

"I fixed up the house and it look so good everybody was surprised, even the person who gave it to me. Then him say him want it back because him son coming back from foreign," Gayle explains.

Mrs. Gayle, now practically living on the streets, turned to the JRC for assistance. St. Elizabeth branch director Sheila Doctor said that Mrs. Gayle's situation was brought to her attention while volunteers were on an outreach mission to the community delivering food packages.

The JRC, in its effort to help the most vulnerable in its rehabilitation endeavours after hurricane Ivan, decided to construct 40 houses. The JRC is currently building a house for Mrs. Gayle and her family. She has expressed her gratitude and has said that the JRC has given her a new lease on live.

Enid Edwards is also a beneficiary of a house built by JRC in the Bayshore Park Community in Kingston . "At first I was skeptical when they (JRC) said they were going to give me a board house," Edwards said with a chuckle, "but I must confess it look good."

Mrs. Edwards lives with her sister and seven children between them, age ranging from five to 18 years old. Edwards says that the house from JRC was timely and the initial help was crucial. "The night the house blow down we had to sleep at the neighbours but after a while they were less welcoming". "For about two months after Ivan all nine of us had to take turns sleeping on the one mattress that we get from JRC".

Things are a lot better now for Mrs. Edwards and her family since they have been presented with the keys to their home. They are currently in the process of moving in.