What are some positive things that have happened because of Ivan....

I'll start: Its helped me put things in my life into perspective and given me a big warm fuzzy knowing I'm helping people.

Ditto.

Tho my perspective on what's important changed drastically a few years back, this has really made an impact.

It's also changed a lot of people's views on the value of the internet, while others were watching CNN and heariong all about Kingston and Mobay, we were here sharing real information about real people in the areas WE care about.

Big up all a wi likkle people pon di net!!
This site accomplished what the major media couldn't.

It also goe's to show that love and concern for others still exist in this world. Ivan have shown us that the people in Treasure Beach, do care about their neighbors.

Rather than looting, they have come together with a helping hand. There are many skill workers there to help rebuild the community back to its beauty.

Our God above is watching, and we will see his mighty hands at work through his people.

.... a wonderful sense of community, both on this board and in TB.

Although my husband, myself and 2 small boys experienced that sense of community during our first visit to TB in April of this year, it's nothing compared to the outpouring of support and information I've seen on this board over the last week.

People in TB look out for each other and also do what they can to make the visitor's experience a positive one.

There's been an outpouring of support from around the world from people who have been touched by the people and their visit(s) to TB.

I believe that show of support speaks for itself.

It has shown me how many GOOD, GOOD people there still are in this world (and in this country!). It has shown me how many of us caring people there are out 'there' somewhere. It has given me lots to cry about - both good and sad - I'm learning to focus on the good. It's taught me to be thankful for what I have. AND (this may sound morbid, BUT) I have realized that I would rather die in a hurricane (or other natural disaster) than by a drive-by-shooting, or terrorist attack. It has proven to me that my love for Jamaica is REAL, and not just a "crush" :-)

Hi,TBs,weīve been in your wonderful area four times, but thatīs six years ago now. I never had thought that your village would be so deep in my heart. Hours and hours Iīve been on TBnet. It was great to read Rebeccaīs first report. No one was killed or seriously injured. Itīs not so hard to repair roofs than people. Lisa with Jannic (South Jammin), my family and me are very happy that Ivan could not break you down. At the moment I donīt know anything about our South Jammin, but that is not really important. With all our heart and soul we tried to blow away that Ivan from your countryside. I hope our german assistance has helped a little bit. Please excuse my bad English, I only learned at school in the sixties.

Johann from Germany

I have been trying to figure out why the last week has had such a deep impact on me. I am drawn to this site constantly and I think I was able to figure some of the reasons:
1. Sometimes you can feel alienated in your day-to-day life and this made me feel connected to people that I knew were kind and good.
2. I realized the magnitude of all the people out there al over the world who had been touched by TB.
3. I have seen real examples of courage, faith, generosity, love and caring.
4. I have been brought closer to my friends in TB and learned not to take them for granted. I have made new friends that I have not met in person yet.
5. For some reason that I can't explain, it made me feel more human and hopeful.
6. God listens and answers your prayers.
Thanks to all of you - Karen Walker

Some more good stuff:

I have finally got to 'meet' Rebecca's parents, albeit it only through phone calls. Hi Ethel and Harry!

And Rebecca tells me that her brother has learned how to turn on a computer, type in treasurebeach.net, and post a message on the internet. Ah, my eternal goal of teaching computer technology to people is being achieved!

And I've got a whole heap of offers of hugs and free beers!

hey eric,
add me to your list of free hugs and beers...
provided we meet in person someday ;)
you know, this website is how i talked my boyfriend into going to TB on our first trip to jamaica! Big Up!

i think i've realized through all this that i have more sense of community and love for TB than for any place i've actually lived ;)

one love and light
rebekah

You can add me to the free bear and free bear hug...for sure.

Hmmm, how about a free BEER HUG? Not sure what it would be, but sounds like fun!

Thanks for the suppport, everyone.

To toot our own horn, now that Digicell is starting to work again apparantly people are telling everyone down there how much this site helped them over the past few looong days. And they are tellling Rebecca.

Good, because that's what we're here for (Taken from TBNet home apge):
Why TreasureBeach.Net is Here:
- to supply information to future Treasure Beach visitors
- to provide an Internet presence for area organizations involved in education, environmental awareness, and neighborhood projects
-to help maintain Treasure Beach's essence of a community, not individual interests
-to further the belief that development must benefit the entire community, not just the tourism sector

Well, Eric, nothing like meeting your mission. Where do you go from there? And next time we meet I will have to show what a beer hug is Thanks again, sooo much. I also can't wait to beer hug the Mayor.

Another positive from this dreadful disaster is that many of us are making new friends here on line at TB.net - I have received a few emails from comments that I have posted. People asking for info. re Money Gram, Western Union etc. If I know a certain person/certain people as I have mentioned someone/an area that they also know and also people offering support and comfort before we had received the first report from Rebecca as to what was happening down there on the ground.

God works in mysterious ways and everything happens for a reason - Maybe Ivan was to strengthen our already strong ties with an area which appears to be for many of us our 'second' home!!

Hopefully, one day I will be able to put faces to some of the people I have met through this site - And of course the best place to do so would be in TREASURE BEACH itself!!!!

Gill

It is absolutely incredible that a website such as this was able to assist in communication when necessary. The big media groups lost touch with us during a time that we needed information. To think that the millions of dollars that are spent on such organizations such as The Gleaner, JBC, RJR, CVM etc and yet we could not hear from them or get in touch with love ones. There was a huge lacking in information from them. Once again a website such as this that exists only fo rthe good and positive in a community prevailed and more than fulfilled our expectations.

Thank you all and God's Blessing. Good to see so many that cares so much contribute in a way that no amount of money could do.

Great Job when we needed you the most!!!!