Soup, sewing, school supplies and salvation – small steps, big impact

simoneworthing
10 hours ago
3 min read

Salvation Army teams have been on the ground in Jamaica since Hurricane Melissa struck three months ago.

Jamaica struggles after Hurricane Melissa

Three months after Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica on 28 October, 2025, this Caribbean island remains a landscape of devastation.

The first Category 5 storm ever to strike the island damaged infrastructure to the extent that it reshaped entire communities, erased livelihoods, and left entire towns across western Jamaica facing a prolonged humanitarian crisis.

In places once known for gently rolling farmland, fishing harbors, and small but vibrant town centres, the terrain has been transformed. Houses lie flattened beneath mounds of rubble. Commercial blocks where shops, clinics, and microbusinesses once operated are now empty shells or foundations exposed to the sky. Roads once lined with vendors and schoolchildren are carved through debris fields, broken concrete, and the twisted remnants of roofs.

Amid this devastation, The Salvation Army has remained a consistent source of relief and stability. Teams continue to serve communities across the island, drawing on the organisation's 29 service centres that were already embedded in remote and hard-to-reach areas before the storm.

Their response began immediately after Melissa made landfall and has continued steadily into the new year. As of January 2026, The Salvation Army had reached more than 212,000 people with emergency assistance, including 131,000 meal kits, 66,000 hot meals, 9000 food parcels, 27,000 bottles of drinking water, and 25,000 hygiene kits. These supplies have helped stabilise households whose farms, shops, and livelihoods were erased.

Click on the video below to read the stories of six people whose lives and communities were reshaped by the storm and learn how each of them is attempting to rebuild in the face of overwhelming loss, with Salvation Army support.

This story and video courtesy The Salvation Army World Service Office.

Ukrainians serve in bitter cold The morning of 3 February was especially difficult for Ukraine after a major attack on key civilian infrastructure. Critical services such as electricity, central heating and water supply facilities in Kyiv and Kharkiv came under intense attack, coinciding with temperatures that plummeted to -19°C.

Many civilians have lost their homes as a result of this attack.

“Please remember The Salvation Army in Ukraine in your thoughts and prayers as we assist civilians, especially the most vulnerable, to endure these inhumane conditions,” say Ukraine Divisional Leaders, Majors Irina and Konstanyn Shvab.

Hope and safety beyond the brothels

The Salvation Army in Bangladesh operates a support program near Jashore’s brothels to help vulnerable and exploited women and children who are exiting cycles of abuse.

One such woman, Saanvi*, was sold into sexual exploitation by her abusive husband and later forced to raise her daughter, Ishra*, in the brothel.

Tragically, Ishra was also drawn into the sex trade at a young age. With ongoing support from The Salvation Army, Saanvi eventually left the brothel but sadly passed away soon after. Inspired by her mother’s courage, Ishra sought help, started her own grocery store and began rebuilding her life with assistance from the program.

Since 2021, The Salvation Army has emphasised local ownership of its initiatives, engaging women, community leaders and other stakeholders to identify solutions to exploitation. They have supported 35 women in leaving brothels, with many receiving training in skills such as tailoring and small-business management.

The program also provides safe spaces for children living in brothels, offering education, creative activities and nutritious meals, while raising awareness about social issues such as child marriage and human trafficking in the broader community.

Saanvi and Ishra’s stories reflect both the immense challenges faced by women and children in exploitation and the hope that The Salvation Army continues to bring through its work in Jashore.

.Learning new skills gives exploited young women an opportunity to rebuild their lives. This story is courtesy The Salvation Army World Service Office.

Designing life in Poland

Young people from The Salvation Army in Warsaw, Poland, recently got together to participate in the ‘Design for Life’ program. “This is a unique time when we get to know ourselves, our talents and our calling in life better,” the group shared.

“Thanks to our guest from Germany, Major Matthias Lindner, who led this event. We now wish everyone the best opportunities to use their talents.”

Youth respond to the ‘Design for Life’ program in Warsaw.

Back to school in Southern Africa

The Back to School campaign is in full swing in the Southern Africa Territory, with school uniforms, shoes and other supplies being given to disadvantaged schools in the Eastern Cape and Eastern KwaZulu Natal divisions.

For many children, this simple gift means walking into the classroom with confidence, pride and hope for a brighter future.