Grant a Wish Delivers Real Help to Families in Western Jamaica
15 Dec 2025
Kingston, Jamaica, December 15, 2025: For families across western Jamaica still finding their footing after Hurricane Melissa, help came in a deeply personal way with the launch of the 13th N.C.B. Foundation Grant a Wish programme in Montego Bay, St James.
At the Fairview Shopping Centre, shoppers and residents were invited to share their wishes. Many reflected the same reality: homes damaged, finances stretched and everyday needs made harder by the storm’s impact. Among them was Kemeshia Black, a mother of three from Bethel Town in Westmoreland, whose home suffered extensive damage during the hurricane.
“After Melissa, it hard,” Black said. “We get a mattress and me and the children sleep on it. Zinc [is] still on the windows and door, and tarpaulin on the roof.” Black received a J$100,000 wish come true, which will help her to replace essential furniture and begin restoring stability for her family.
Another wish granted on the day belonged to Charmaine Green of Montego Bay, St James. Green received J$100,000 towards her son’s tuition at the University of Technology, Jamaica, where he is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering. With the added financial pressure brought on by Hurricane Melissa, Green said the gift came at a critical time.
“I still can’t believe this happened today,” Green shared. “Things are far more challenging than before so this will definitely go a long way in helping us.”
The Montego Bay launch marked the first activation of N.C.B. Foundation’s Grant a Wish for the 2025 season and was intentionally hosted in western Jamaica, one of the regions hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa. Through an on-site wishing wall, close to 200 customers shared their stories and needs on launch day alone, highlighting the continued demand for direct, practical support.
“N.C.B. Foundation’s Grant a Wish responds to real people and real circumstances,” said Perrin Gayle, CEO of the N.C.B. Foundation. “This year, that reality is shaped by recovery. We are focused on meeting people where they are and offering support that makes an immediate, tangible difference.”
N.C.B. Foundation’s Grant a Wish is open to all Jamaicans and residents, not only NCB customers. Nominations close at midnight on December 31, 2025.
Wishes may be submitted online at www.jncb.com/grantawish or in person at participating NCB branches in Mandeville, Christiana, Junction, Santa Cruz, Fairview, Savanna-la-Mar, Lucea, Falmouth, St Ann’s Bay and Port Maria.
This year’s programme runs alongside the Building a Better Jamaica Fund 2.0, launched in response to Hurricane Melissa to support long-term recovery and resilience.
A mother and son are all smiles as they review their submission on the wishing wall at the N.C.B. Foundation’s Grant a Wish launch held recently at NCB’s Fairview Financial Centre in Montego Bay.
Intent on having a Merry Christmas, this NCB customer takes care with submitting her Grant a Wish application.
An elated Kemeshia Black celebrates after learning that her wish was granted in N.C.B. Foundation’s Grant a Wish programme. Black received $100,000 towards furniture and home repairs.
