Showers of Blessing for the Pink Poui Grove
Few storms have shaken Jamaica like Hurricane Melissa—the strongest hurricane in recent memory, and the first Category 5 to make direct landfall on our island in decades. Winds howled, rain battered the earth, and communities across the nation braced for the worst.
Yet, in the heart of the Jamaica Japanese Garden project—behind all the noise, fear, and destruction—nature quietly revealed one of its most beautiful lessons:
Every storm carries a purpose.
When the Storm Passed
As the skies cleared and the silence returned, our team stepped into the garden not knowing what to expect. Flooding, uprooted plants, and fallen branches seemed certain. But instead, we found something extraordinary. The young Pink Poui trees, still only in the early stages of their growth, stood proudly—untouched, strengthened, and brilliantly green. Not a single tree uprooted. Not one broken. Only fresh, bright leaves washed clean by the rain. It was as if the hurricane had brought a message:
“You will grow stronger.”
A Garden Blessed by Rain
The images captured after the hurricane tell a peaceful story—sunlight shining across the field, rows of healthy young poui, and caretakers smiling in gratitude.These photos don’t show destruction. They show renewal. Hurricane Melissa may have unleashed her fury across the island, but to our Pink Poui Grove, she brought showers of blessing, deep watering, and the natural nourishment only tropical rain can give.
Why This Matters
The Pink Poui Garden is the foundation of the future Jamaica Japanese Garden, a space of culture, peace, and quiet reflection. These trees will one day stand tall with bursts of pink blossoms—creating a breathtaking Sakura-style walkway for families, students, photographers, and visitors from around the world. For them to survive the strongest hurricane in modern Jamaican history is an incredible sign of resilience.
A Symbol of Hope
As Jamaica rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa, the poui trees remind us of something important:
l Storms do not stop growth.
l Beauty can come from hardship.
l And even the fiercest winds cannot defeat rooted hope.
Every garden begins with patience.
Every tree begins with a seed.
And sometimes, the rain that frightens us is the same rain that helps us bloom.
The Jamaica Japanese Garden Continues
We thank everyone who has supported this journey—volunteers, donors, schools, and friends here in Jamaica and across the world. Hurricane Melissa did her worst…
But the garden is alive, thriving, and growing stronger every day.
