A team of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) personnel on a humanitarian mission in Jamaica partnered with Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) engineers to support children with disabilities at the Blessed Assurance Institution.
The initiative follows the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in late 2025, which damaged homes, schools, and critical infrastructure across the Caribbean.
Since arriving on 14 January 2026, 100 RDF personnel, including engineers, have assisted in repairing hurricane-damaged facilities. During a community service day, Rwandan and Jamaican soldiers worked with staff from the University of the West Indies’ Tony Thwaites Wing to paint classrooms and install ceiling fans in dormitories, improving living and learning conditions for the children.
The management of Blessed Assurance Institution praised the collaborative effort, saying it transformed the centre and enhanced comfort for both children and staff.
Colonel Moses Kayigamba, head of the RDF team, said the mission demonstrates strong cooperation and solidarity between Rwanda and Jamaica.
Beyond the institution, RDF and JDF teams continue to repair homes and restore key infrastructure, showing how military partnerships can deliver tangible benefits to communities in the aftermath of natural disasters.
