Support for Jamaican Fisherman and His Family
Donation protected
Nearly a decade ago, I met Raphel "Orel" Gilzeen, a lobster diver, on the side of a narrow road in Jamaica, where I had returned to visit my motherland. Orel was selling lobsters and I was interested. In not just buying lobsters, but in how Orel was harvesting his catch. I told Orel I’d buy the lobsters but I wanted a lesson in lobster diving by spear gun.
Orel took me lobster diving the next day. After hauling in our catch of lobsters and fish, Orel cooked a meal in a pot outside his home. We became fast friends and have maintained a years-long friendship. Diving and selling lobsters and fish is how this poor Jamaican father of several children feeds his family. It is his livelihood. But Orel’s days of diving are likely over since health issues have sidelined him with a doctor’s recommendation he no longer dive beneath the surface. He spent two months in the hospital after suffering an episode upon resurfacing from diving. He was later diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other issues, and will require costly medications to keep him feeling well.
As you know, Jamaica is a developing country in the Caribbean Sea, vulnerable to hurricanes and floods, with a population of nearly 3 million. It is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the Queen of Jamaica (currently Elizabeth II), represented locally by the Governor-General of Jamaica. It is considered an upper middle-income country, except for the more than 400,000 Jamaicans who live in poverty and the 14,000 who live in extreme poverty. That's close to 15 percent of the country's population who don't have access to a decent way of survival.
Sadly, Orel’s family is among those living in extreme poverty with no easy access to fishing equipment or other employment opportunities. I've been in his home and have seen it first-hand. To deem their situation as dire and desperate would be an understatement, which is the reason we’ve decided to create a Go Fund Me initiative to help this family.
In the past, myself and my girl, Elaine Veltri, have returned to Jamaica bearing gifts—diving equipment and clothing—to help make the family’s life a little easier. In light of Orel's recent health challenges, it is our hope to make another trip in the not-so-distant future to help him and his family. Our plan is to purchase a fishing boat on the island, acquire lobster traps, fish nets and other fishing supplies as well as improve the family’s living conditions with some home improvements we will perform ourselves since I am a contractor. Their current dwelling is three rooms with dilapidated flooring.
We ask you to pray about how you can help and only give what you feel led to. But know, any little bit will go a long way for this family and we will be ever so grateful for whatever you can do. And I know the Gilzeen family will be forever indebted for your financial assistance. Our goal is to raise $5,000.
Orel took me lobster diving the next day. After hauling in our catch of lobsters and fish, Orel cooked a meal in a pot outside his home. We became fast friends and have maintained a years-long friendship. Diving and selling lobsters and fish is how this poor Jamaican father of several children feeds his family. It is his livelihood. But Orel’s days of diving are likely over since health issues have sidelined him with a doctor’s recommendation he no longer dive beneath the surface. He spent two months in the hospital after suffering an episode upon resurfacing from diving. He was later diagnosed with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other issues, and will require costly medications to keep him feeling well.
As you know, Jamaica is a developing country in the Caribbean Sea, vulnerable to hurricanes and floods, with a population of nearly 3 million. It is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the Queen of Jamaica (currently Elizabeth II), represented locally by the Governor-General of Jamaica. It is considered an upper middle-income country, except for the more than 400,000 Jamaicans who live in poverty and the 14,000 who live in extreme poverty. That's close to 15 percent of the country's population who don't have access to a decent way of survival.
In the past, myself and my girl, Elaine Veltri, have returned to Jamaica bearing gifts—diving equipment and clothing—to help make the family’s life a little easier. In light of Orel's recent health challenges, it is our hope to make another trip in the not-so-distant future to help him and his family. Our plan is to purchase a fishing boat on the island, acquire lobster traps, fish nets and other fishing supplies as well as improve the family’s living conditions with some home improvements we will perform ourselves since I am a contractor. Their current dwelling is three rooms with dilapidated flooring.
We ask you to pray about how you can help and only give what you feel led to. But know, any little bit will go a long way for this family and we will be ever so grateful for whatever you can do. And I know the Gilzeen family will be forever indebted for your financial assistance. Our goal is to raise $5,000.
Organizer
Robert Magnus
Organizer
Greer, SC