September 4, 2025 • 23 mins
In July 2024 Hurricane Beryl slammed into the Caribbean, leaving a trail of devastation, still felt today. In Grenada, 95% of homes in two regions were destroyed. St. Vincent and the Grenadines saw 90% of its infrastructure damaged. For Food for the Poor Jamaica, this wasn't just another disaster response—it became deeply personal, when it hit home.
Kivette Silvera, former Executive Director of Food for the Poor Jamaica, reveals the extraordinary behind-the-scenes reality of disaster response work. "Once a hurricane or any disaster is on its way, it doesn't matter who you are," Silvera explains. "You are now in disaster response mode, so it means no titles."
Preparation begins long before storms appear. Teams establish protocols, secure resources, and ensure staff members are ready to respond at different intervals— weeks before impact. Yet the most remarkable stories emerge from the personal sacrifices made by those responding. Learn about one team member who lost his own roof and went without electricity for weeks but continued coming to work daily, helping others.
These stories illuminate Silvera's powerful perspective:
“This isn't mere employment—it's answering a calling to serve others in their darkest moments, bringing hope when all seems lost.”
Through partnerships with other organizations and community groups, Food for the Poor amplifies their impact across Jamaica. "Together we are stronger. Together we make a difference."
We invite you to join this mission today? Click here: www.foodforthepoor.org/emergencyrelief
Beyond The Plate is a podcast by international charity, Food For The Poor
Sign-up for our Best Bite and get exclusive access to our podcast, including food recipes from the 15 countries Food For The Poor serves, giveaways, e-books, and more. Click to join our Best Bite: https://bit.ly/BTP-bestbite
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Once a hurricane or any disaster is on its way, it
doesn't matter who you are.
You are now in disasterresponse mode, so it means no
title.
You're about serving.
You're about helping those thathave been affected.
You're about responding.
It doesn't matter what it is,where it is.
We're in the hills, we're downin the valleys, we're even out
(00:22):
at the sea.
So, at the end of the day, youare where we are now, a servant
of the poor, the 2024 hurricaneseason started early, and it
started violently.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Within just six weeks , Barrow ripped through the
Caribbean, leaving nothing butrubble and heartbreak.
But beyond the headlines arethe heroes.
This storm didn't just affectfood for the poor.
It came home to us, to ourfamilies, and when disaster
comes that close, we're remindedthis isn't their crisis, it's
ours too, Because when onefamily suffers, we all feel it
(00:57):
and together we rise.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
This is Food for the Poor, but we're not just food.
We go beyond the plate todiscuss a full range of
development programs, alldesigned to break the cycle of
poverty by empowering peoplewith the tools and training they
need to transform their livesfor generations to come.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
These stories will inspire you and, best of all,
you can be part of the changethat takes place.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Join us as we go beyond the plate.
Join us as we go Beyond the.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Plate.
The Atlantic hurricane seasonruns from June 1st to November
30th.
So what I'm about to tell youmay or may not shock you.
By week six of the 2024 season,the second named storm barreled
through the Caribbean like afreight train of chaos and
destruction.
Oh, you know who also felt itwas our folks in St Vincent and
(01:46):
the Grenadines right.
90% of that infrastructure wasdamaged Roads, homes, even the
airport terminal All crucial.
And in Grenada, a Category 4hurricane ripped through two
major regions, destroying 95% ofhomes in its path.
And in Jamaica, we're honoredto welcome our friend and former
(02:06):
executive director of food forthe poor Jamaica, kevette
Silvera.
Welcome to Beyond the Plate,kevette.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Thank you.
Thank you, so great to be here.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Great to have you.
You know, kevette, whendisaster strikes, how do you
prepare for a storm like Berylin Jamaica as the executive
director, as your own family?
I mean, let's just be honest.
Right, yes, you're heading upthis organization, you're
heading up this team, but how doyou prepare leading up to
Barrel?
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Okay, so the first thing we want to do is the staff
members, the team members ofFood for the Poor.
We ensure get yourself in orderin terms of food supplies,
water, gasoline, anything thatyou may need, because, believe
it or not, leading up to thehurricane, there are some team
members who would be required tobe on site during the hurricane
(02:55):
.
So, outside of preparing yourhomes, putting together the
supplies, ensuring that yourfamily is safe.
There are some team membersthat have to be on the ground
because there are instanceswhere, in the midst of the storm
, activities are taking placeand we have to respond.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
How far in advance is this?
I mean, you know the storm andthat's the luxury.
You know when we see otherparts of the country where
earthquakes happen.
In an instant tornadoes strikewithout notice, but a storm like
a hurricane.
You see it afar off, whetherit's a day, two days, but you
have time to prepare.
What's the time frame like inthis preparation before Beryl?
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Okay, you have to prepare even before the
hurricane season starts.
So you just mentioned, daniel,the hurricane season starts June
.
The preparation begins evenbefore that.
So you identify what are theactivities that need to take
place.
However, once you hearhurricane barrel is coming, it's
a different level of activity.
So it's like, okay, you'repreparing before, because that
(03:54):
is critical, pre-preparation isvery important.
But then when the activity isthere, it's imminent, it's right
at the door.
Knocking barrel is on theseashore, it is coming.
Now you're putting all yourpre-prep activities into action,
right?
So, a few hours before Burrell,what are the things that need
to be shut down?
(04:14):
What are the trucks that needto be locked?
What are the equipments thatneed to be secured?
What are the items that need tobe ready to move, what are the
plans, who are the personnel?
All of those activities a fewdays before.
So you have different pointsBefore hurricane season, once
there is an imminent danger, twoweeks before, two days before,
(04:36):
24 hours before and at the timeof the hurricane.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
So, okay, I remember it's July of 2024.
A news outlet reached out to ushere at Food for the Poor, and
I connected them with you and Iremember the one thing that I
was was striking for me was thefact that you were on the road
driving, talking to thisnationally syndicated news
reporter, talk show host, andthe phone keeps cutting in and
out.
But we understand, right, it'swhat we've got.
(05:09):
Yeah, because we really need toget a on the ground.
You know what's happening nowand the storm had already passed
.
But what was interesting to mewas not necessarily that
interview, but was what you toldus recently.
You said and I'll quote you onthis, because you talked about
how titles disappear yes, andwhat happens when you are a
(05:32):
servant and you've got to beready to act.
So what's the process of thatfor the staff to kind of take
away that mindset?
I mean, we're all wearing thesedisaster response vests.
For those who are watching uson YouTube, they're not snazzy
vests, they're monikers thatshow we're ready to work.
Yes, what was that like for you?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Okay.
The situation is this Once ahurricane or any disaster is on
its way, it doesn't matter whoyou are the executive director,
the driver, the finance manager,the front desk clerk it doesn't
matter who you are theexecutive director, the driver,
the finance manager, the frontdesk clerk it doesn't matter.
You are now in disasterresponse mode, so it means no
(06:14):
title.
You're about serving.
You're about helping those thathave been affected.
You're about responding.
It doesn't matter what it iswhere it is.
We have 14 parishes acrossJamaica and it does not matter.
We are in the hills, we're downin the valleys, we're even out
at the sea reaching the fisherfolks.
So, at the end of the day,whatever position you have
(06:35):
officially within theorganization during that period,
you are where we are now aservant of the poor.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
That's amazing, and I love that.
There's no, no, there's no, noquestions, right?
There's no, maybe I'll comeback, let me, let me, let me
figure this out.
I mean, some folks might.
I mean I understand that wehave to protect our own and then
come back, and but fortunately,that's, that's not a question
here and that's that's already.
We wear the vest.
With or without the vest, we'realready here to help, and
that's amazing.
What we do here at Food for thePoor, we do it for our families
(07:05):
and, as well, for the ones thatare affected most.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Your quote was once you sign on with Food for the
Poor, you're not signing up fora job, you're signing.
You're saying yes to a mission.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Let's say it again Once you sign on with Food for
the Poor, you're not signing upfor a job You're signing on to a
mission.
You're saying yes to a mission.
Unpack that for us, becausethat means a lot, especially
after a hurricane like Beryl.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
I don't believe a person's fully appreciated until
you are in within theorganization, because you have
now joined a family thatbelieves in service above self
Right.
You're not signing up with Foodfor the Poor to say, oh, I'm
going to another organization todo a job, I'm going to be the
accountant, or I'm going to bethe clerk or the driver or the
(07:58):
director of constructionservices.
No, you're signing on to sayhow can I use my skills to
continue fulfilling this mission?
How can I impact the lives ofpersons that are in need?
How can I make a difference?
So it's always something that Isay Once you sign that letter
of engagement with Food for thePoor.
(08:19):
You're not signing a job letter, you're signing a mission.
You're signing to join themission of God, because that is
why we're here.
We're here to serve and to doGod's work, and that is what I
meant when I said you're notsigning up for a job.
You're signing on to themission.
The mission is to fulfilling.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
God's will and his work.
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Speaker 3 (08:52):
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Speaker 2 (09:01):
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Same great beer.
A whole new market, and here'sthe kicker.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
They've recovered the alcohol byproduct, which you
can use to create seltzers,cocktails and more products.
More opportunities, morerevenue.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Based in North Carolina, bear Brews partners
with craft breweries of allsizes.
Whether you're brewing 2,500barrels or 200,000, they bring
the technology to you you wantto test the waters.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
They even offer small batch trials to see if it's
right for you.
No upfront cost, zero risk.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
So why wait?
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Speaker 3 (09:38):
Cheers to that BearBrewscom, that's B-A-R-E
Brewscom.
You're joining us on Beyond thePlate, where we have the
pleasure of being joined byKevet Silvera, a partner and a
friend and a part of this Foodfor the Poor team and the former
(09:59):
executive director of our Foodfor the Poor Jamaica office.
And you said something aboutyour signing on to the mission.
Well, those of you that arelistening, those of you who are
watching us right now, you canalso sign on to the mission and
help in this effort.
Right now, you can also sign onto the mission and help in this
effort.
As Kevett said, the work ofresponding to emergencies like a
hurricane, like disastersman-made or natural disasters
(10:21):
starts weeks, months, long timebefore disaster hits.
And you could help right now bygoing to foodforthepoororg
slash emergency relief.
You can go right there and helpand make your difference felt.
You know it's interesting whenwe talk about the way people can
help give it.
(10:42):
What are some of the things?
Before I give it to Danny, Ijust want to give our audience
an idea of what are some of thethings when they do go to
foodforthepoororg slashemergency relief.
What does that turn into?
Their donations, their gifts,their generosity, what does it
turn into?
What were you distributing andhelping with others?
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Can I say, not just the physical, but it actually
turns into hope.
Hope for the families.
Because you may look at it andsay, oh, I'm giving a bottle of
water or I'm giving funds to buyblankets or clothing or roofing
material, but you're actuallygiving that family hope and also
(11:25):
you're giving them something tolook forward to, to say
somebody cares for me.
So you may consider that you'regiving the funds or you're
donating physical items, butit's beyond that.
It's way beyond what you'regiving.
It's about giving the lives andimpacting those families.
That says do not give up.
(11:47):
Amidst what you've been through, amidst what it is that you
have experienced or areexperiencing, don't give up.
There is hope, Somebody cares,somebody loves you, and it is
that you have experienced or areexperiencing.
Don't give up.
There is hope, somebody cares,somebody loves you, and that is
what you're giving.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Now, kaveh, you've been doing this for a long time.
We've been doing this for along time and you've seen things
that, during these storms, thatsometimes you can't shake off
Right and with all yourexperience, what's that moment
that still?
It still sticks with you afterand before and during these
storms many moments um, wherehope doesn't reach, where hope
(12:19):
is not enough.
Oh, you know what's from thatperspective?
Speaker 1 (12:22):
okay.
When you go into the field andyou see the families, you see a
mother with the children andshe's not sure how her roof is
going to be fixed.
How is she going to feed thebaby?
She's lost everything.
The roof is gone, the clothingis wet, the furniture is damaged
(12:44):
and she sits there because shemay not have a job, she may not
have anybody to turn to to sayhelp me.
It impacts you significantlybecause there are many persons
out there, but the resources arelimited and you have to make a
decision.
You want to help entirely andgive a fulsome picture of what
(13:10):
can be restoration in itsentirety.
However, you have to make adecision.
If you have a thousand familiesto serve and the resources are
limited, you have to determinedo I help one family and fully
restore them in terms of housing, roof, clothing, everything,
food, or do I stretch whateverlimited resources I have and say
(13:35):
okay, your roof, I can patch ita bit, because I have to also
patch the other neighbor nextdoor?
And that is the biggestchallenge I would say we face,
because there is not enough toreally help everybody to the
extent that they need the help.
It also reaches to the teammembers.
(13:57):
Why?
Because you have team memberswho go out there and they also
are emotionally impacted by theinability to really help the
families in their entirety.
It is a story that keeps comingover and over again.
As team members, we go outthere and we know you have a
basket.
(14:18):
How can you feed many personswith this basket, as opposed to
just a few family?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
And that's something kind of we forget.
Sometimes it's not just data.
These are mothers, children,families.
I mean, we're all affected.
We're both sides.
On both sides we're helping.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
We're all affected, we're both sides, we're helping,
we're hurting and we're bothmaking sacrifices and let's be
honest here, you're a motheryourself yes, I was about to say
that, being a mother myself,when I go out there and I see
these mothers with children, Iput myself in the position and
say how I feel it impacts mesignificantly because you have
(14:59):
your child and you're not ableto give your child what they
need.
You're not able to comfort thechild, you're not able to let
them feel like everything isbeing okay.
Now I have a son and I putmyself in the shoe of that
mother, sitting on the step andthinking where is the baby
feeding coming from?
Where is the baby food comingfrom?
(15:21):
Where am I going to get dryclothing to put on this baby's
back?
As a mother, they say, who feelsit knows and being in the field
, it really rocks you, it reallyhits home because I think
(15:43):
paulie said it earlier you maybe in a position where you are
able to make plans and makepreparations, line up at the gas
station.
These families are not able todo any lining up anywhere.
They have to just sit and hopethat somebody will help.
And that's how difficult it isfor us, as Food for the Poor
(16:07):
team members, to go out thereand be able to serve and to
provide some form of comfort,and the first thing we always do
as well is pray.
Why?
Because, guess what?
We know the Lord will provide,and once we have faith in him,
he will provide all our needs.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
So there's a famous saying that came out during
COVID Not all heroes wear capes.
We see that for firstresponders.
We see that for firstresponders.
We see that for nurses, medicalprofessionals different ones
who make the sacrifice in themidst of going through.
In your case, dial the clocksback again July 2024, you've got
(16:51):
this team of people that weeksin advance, have been preparing
and then, days in advance, inthe approach of Hurricane Beryl,
have been getting ready, andthen the inevitable happens the
storm hits, and you told usabout one individual who lost
(17:12):
their own I think it was him.
Young man lost his roof, had noelectricity for six weeks but
yet came to work every day forthe betterment of his brothers
and sisters in Jamaica andworking with Food for the Poor.
I mean, what was that like?
What was it like for you as aleader, and for that individual,
(17:32):
day to day, to see him knowingthat he was going through that a
leader?
Speaker 1 (17:36):
and for that individual day to day, to see
him knowing that he was goingthrough that.
It's rough, because how do youask someone to give their all,
amidst what it is that they'regoing through?
You're asking them to continueto be in there for other persons
and they themselves are in need.
The commitment it's at adifferent level and that is why
(18:01):
I said it's not a job, it's amission, because that would have
been a sacrifice for thatfather, a team member, who had
his own family to take care ofbut had to be out there and
think about it.
You're not having electricityfor weeks, own family to take
care of, but had to be out thereand think about it.
You're not having electricityfor weeks.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
Stick a pin for one second and it's July in Jamaica.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
And it's hot and the mosquitoes are out, because
everybody's out I just want tomake sure for our audience who
have never been to Jamaica, havenever been in a tropical
climate in the summer, it's hot.
Whatever hot you're thinkingabout, add a little bit more
heat to it and remember it getseven hotter after the passage of
a storm, so it's extremely hot,the mosquitoes are there and
(18:50):
this team member and a fewothers as well.
I'll tell you, paul, there wereteam members who were on the
site of Food for the Poor's headoffice the night of the passage
of Hurricane Beryl.
They were physically, they lefttheir family to physically stay
at the Food for the Poor officein Jamaica because of the
(19:11):
preparation to serve the personsimmediately and they were
called upon to provideassistance because a hospital
had lost a piece of its roof andin the middle of the night they
had to be sending items tosupport persons who were in this
hospital.
And these family members havealso been away from their
(19:38):
families and would have beenaffected significantly.
But if you think about the teammember who would for weeks I
mean every single day I lookback and I say how did he do it?
Like I can't tell you.
Tell you, um, as a, as a teamleader at the time, I myself had
(20:03):
to be strong because I couldn'thelp him, but he was helping
others.
I had to just have theconversation to say you know, I
hope that things work out andany support that we can give we
would.
You and we were able to give atsome point in time.
But again, amidst all of that,you are serving while your
(20:24):
family is in need.
Now that's sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
That's right.
So you talked about the supportand you mentioned the hospital,
but Danny was alluding to itearlier the partnerships.
You know.
Remember while you were, whilethis was all going on,
everything we've just beentalking about was going on here
stateside there was the Bob andRita Marley Foundation, and I
(20:47):
remember sitting in that seatwhere you are right now.
Sadella Marley, Bob's daughter,came here to Food for the Poor,
to advocate the support of Foodfor the Poor and our work to
help our brothers and sisters.
What was it like on thereceiving end, with your
partners in Jamaica, in theaftermath, trying to help all of
these families, whether youcould in these communities or
(21:09):
you couldn't, whatever you coulddo, what was it like with the
partners that you had by yourside, this entire ordeal?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Okay, so partners twofold.
You have partners who providedyou with on-the-ground
information, because, I mean,we're not a thousand team
members strong, we were justabout a hundred team members
strong, so, and there are 14parishes that would have been
impacted.
So partnership is critical, butalso partnership in terms of
support on the ground, in termsof items that were donated, the
(21:40):
help to pack, the help todeliver.
We can't do this alone.
No man is an island, eventhough Jamaica is an island.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
That's a song.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
No man stands alone right.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
You can't do this alone.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
It has to be a partnership, because together we
are stronger.
Together we make a difference.
Together we're able to reacheven more and be even more
impactful.
So I would say to all thepartners out there that, joined
with Food for the Poor, you havemade a difference and continue
to make a difference, becauseworking together you're able to
(22:17):
achieve so many, many, many,many, many more greater things
than if you try to do it alone.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
Wow, to not just us here at Beyond the Plate, but
talking to all of you, ouraudience, to know that when you
look at the weather report, whenyou look at the local news,
national news, world news, andyou see blue skies, that is the
time for you to act A partner, aperson, a passionate parent.
(22:53):
See what I did there, pee.
I've been practicing you gotanother pee.
You can help right now by goingto foodforthepoororg slash
emergency relief.
That's foodforthepoororg slashemergency relief to give your
best to help during blue skies,because it's not a matter of if
(23:14):
disaster strikes, but it's when.
Kylvette, thank you for being apart of Beyond the Plate.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Thank you for having me.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Let's go, all right.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
All right.
Thanks for listening.
We hope you felt the connection.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
One plate, one story one act of love Can change
everything.
Discover more stories and joinour community at
foodfortheportorg slash podcastand follow us too at
beyondtheplatepodcast.
Together we can make adifference.
This is Beyond the Plate.
Once a hurricane or any disaster is on its way, it
doesn't matter who you are.
You are now in disasterresponse mode, so it means no
title.
You're about serving.
You're about helping those thathave been affected.
You're about responding.
It doesn't matter what it is,where it is.
We're in the hills, we're downin the valleys, we're even out
(00:22):
at the sea.
So, at the end of the day, youare where we are now, a servant
of the poor, the 2024 hurricaneseason started early, and it
started violently.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Within just six weeks , Barrow ripped through the
Caribbean, leaving nothing butrubble and heartbreak.
But beyond the headlines arethe heroes.
This storm didn't just affectfood for the poor.
It came home to us, to ourfamilies, and when disaster
comes that close, we're remindedthis isn't their crisis, it's
ours too, Because when onefamily suffers, we all feel it
(00:57):
and together we rise.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
This is Food for the Poor, but we're not just food.
We go beyond the plate todiscuss a full range of
development programs, alldesigned to break the cycle of
poverty by empowering peoplewith the tools and training they
need to transform their livesfor generations to come.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
These stories will inspire you and, best of all,
you can be part of the changethat takes place.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Join us as we go beyond the plate.
Join us as we go Beyond the.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Plate.
The Atlantic hurricane seasonruns from June 1st to November
30th.
So what I'm about to tell youmay or may not shock you.
By week six of the 2024 season,the second named storm barreled
through the Caribbean like afreight train of chaos and
destruction.
Oh, you know who also felt itwas our folks in St Vincent and
(01:46):
the Grenadines right.
90% of that infrastructure wasdamaged Roads, homes, even the
airport terminal All crucial.
And in Grenada, a Category 4hurricane ripped through two
major regions, destroying 95% ofhomes in its path.
And in Jamaica, we're honoredto welcome our friend and former
(02:06):
executive director of food forthe poor Jamaica, kevette
Silvera.
Welcome to Beyond the Plate,kevette.
Speaker 1 (02:13):
Thank you.
Thank you, so great to be here.
Speaker 3 (02:15):
Great to have you.
You know, kevette, whendisaster strikes, how do you
prepare for a storm like Berylin Jamaica as the executive
director, as your own family?
I mean, let's just be honest.
Right, yes, you're heading upthis organization, you're
heading up this team, but how doyou prepare leading up to
Barrel?
Speaker 1 (02:33):
Okay, so the first thing we want to do is the staff
members, the team members ofFood for the Poor.
We ensure get yourself in orderin terms of food supplies,
water, gasoline, anything thatyou may need, because, believe
it or not, leading up to thehurricane, there are some team
members who would be required tobe on site during the hurricane
(02:55):
.
So, outside of preparing yourhomes, putting together the
supplies, ensuring that yourfamily is safe.
There are some team membersthat have to be on the ground
because there are instanceswhere, in the midst of the storm
, activities are taking placeand we have to respond.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
How far in advance is this?
I mean, you know the storm andthat's the luxury.
You know when we see otherparts of the country where
earthquakes happen.
In an instant tornadoes strikewithout notice, but a storm like
a hurricane.
You see it afar off, whetherit's a day, two days, but you
have time to prepare.
What's the time frame like inthis preparation before Beryl?
Speaker 1 (03:32):
Okay, you have to prepare even before the
hurricane season starts.
So you just mentioned, daniel,the hurricane season starts June
.
The preparation begins evenbefore that.
So you identify what are theactivities that need to take
place.
However, once you hearhurricane barrel is coming, it's
a different level of activity.
So it's like, okay, you'repreparing before, because that
(03:54):
is critical, pre-preparation isvery important.
But then when the activity isthere, it's imminent, it's right
at the door.
Knocking barrel is on theseashore, it is coming.
Now you're putting all yourpre-prep activities into action,
right?
So, a few hours before Burrell,what are the things that need
to be shut down?
(04:14):
What are the trucks that needto be locked?
What are the equipments thatneed to be secured?
What are the items that need tobe ready to move, what are the
plans, who are the personnel?
All of those activities a fewdays before.
So you have different pointsBefore hurricane season, once
there is an imminent danger, twoweeks before, two days before,
(04:36):
24 hours before and at the timeof the hurricane.
Speaker 3 (04:46):
So, okay, I remember it's July of 2024.
A news outlet reached out to ushere at Food for the Poor, and
I connected them with you and Iremember the one thing that I
was was striking for me was thefact that you were on the road
driving, talking to thisnationally syndicated news
reporter, talk show host, andthe phone keeps cutting in and
out.
But we understand, right, it'swhat we've got.
(05:09):
Yeah, because we really need toget a on the ground.
You know what's happening nowand the storm had already passed
.
But what was interesting to mewas not necessarily that
interview, but was what you toldus recently.
You said and I'll quote you onthis, because you talked about
how titles disappear yes, andwhat happens when you are a
(05:32):
servant and you've got to beready to act.
So what's the process of thatfor the staff to kind of take
away that mindset?
I mean, we're all wearing thesedisaster response vests.
For those who are watching uson YouTube, they're not snazzy
vests, they're monikers thatshow we're ready to work.
Yes, what was that like for you?
Speaker 1 (05:52):
Okay.
The situation is this Once ahurricane or any disaster is on
its way, it doesn't matter whoyou are the executive director,
the driver, the finance manager,the front desk clerk it doesn't
matter who you are theexecutive director, the driver,
the finance manager, the frontdesk clerk it doesn't matter.
You are now in disasterresponse mode, so it means no
(06:14):
title.
You're about serving.
You're about helping those thathave been affected.
You're about responding.
It doesn't matter what it iswhere it is.
We have 14 parishes acrossJamaica and it does not matter.
We are in the hills, we're downin the valleys, we're even out
at the sea reaching the fisherfolks.
So, at the end of the day,whatever position you have
(06:35):
officially within theorganization during that period,
you are where we are now aservant of the poor.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
That's amazing, and I love that.
There's no, no, there's no, noquestions, right?
There's no, maybe I'll comeback, let me, let me, let me
figure this out.
I mean, some folks might.
I mean I understand that wehave to protect our own and then
come back, and but fortunately,that's, that's not a question
here and that's that's already.
We wear the vest.
With or without the vest, we'realready here to help, and
that's amazing.
What we do here at Food for thePoor, we do it for our families
(07:05):
and, as well, for the ones thatare affected most.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Your quote was once you sign on with Food for the
Poor, you're not signing up fora job, you're signing.
You're saying yes to a mission.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Let's say it again Once you sign on with Food for
the Poor, you're not signing upfor a job You're signing on to a
mission.
You're saying yes to a mission.
Unpack that for us, becausethat means a lot, especially
after a hurricane like Beryl.
Speaker 1 (07:38):
I don't believe a person's fully appreciated until
you are in within theorganization, because you have
now joined a family thatbelieves in service above self
Right.
You're not signing up with Foodfor the Poor to say, oh, I'm
going to another organization todo a job, I'm going to be the
accountant, or I'm going to bethe clerk or the driver or the
(07:58):
director of constructionservices.
No, you're signing on to sayhow can I use my skills to
continue fulfilling this mission?
How can I impact the lives ofpersons that are in need?
How can I make a difference?
So it's always something that Isay Once you sign that letter
of engagement with Food for thePoor.
(08:19):
You're not signing a job letter, you're signing a mission.
You're signing to join themission of God, because that is
why we're here.
We're here to serve and to doGod's work, and that is what I
meant when I said you're notsigning up for a job.
You're signing on to themission.
The mission is to fulfilling.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
God's will and his work.
Picture this You're crafting anamazing beer, but stepping into
the non-alcoholic market feelsimpossible, too expensive, too
risky, sound familiar.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
That's where Bear Brews comes in.
They're your mobile partner foradvanced de-alcoholization and
pasteurization.
No major investment, no hassle,just results.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Their mobile tech lets you create non-alcoholic
beer without losing that greatflavor your fans love.
Same great beer.
A whole new market, and here'sthe kicker.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
They've recovered the alcohol byproduct, which you
can use to create seltzers,cocktails and more products.
More opportunities, morerevenue.
Speaker 2 (09:17):
Based in North Carolina, bear Brews partners
with craft breweries of allsizes.
Whether you're brewing 2,500barrels or 200,000, they bring
the technology to you you wantto test the waters.
Speaker 3 (09:27):
They even offer small batch trials to see if it's
right for you.
No upfront cost, zero risk.
Speaker 2 (09:32):
So why wait?
Don't put the non-alcoholicmarket and seltzers on hold.
Bear Brews can help you growwithout breaking the bank.
Speaker 3 (09:38):
Cheers to that BearBrewscom, that's B-A-R-E
Brewscom.
You're joining us on Beyond thePlate, where we have the
pleasure of being joined byKevet Silvera, a partner and a
friend and a part of this Foodfor the Poor team and the former
(09:59):
executive director of our Foodfor the Poor Jamaica office.
And you said something aboutyour signing on to the mission.
Well, those of you that arelistening, those of you who are
watching us right now, you canalso sign on to the mission and
help in this effort.
Right now, you can also sign onto the mission and help in this
effort.
As Kevett said, the work ofresponding to emergencies like a
hurricane, like disastersman-made or natural disasters
(10:21):
starts weeks, months, long timebefore disaster hits.
And you could help right now bygoing to foodforthepoororg
slash emergency relief.
You can go right there and helpand make your difference felt.
You know it's interesting whenwe talk about the way people can
help give it.
(10:42):
What are some of the things?
Before I give it to Danny, Ijust want to give our audience
an idea of what are some of thethings when they do go to
foodforthepoororg slashemergency relief.
What does that turn into?
Their donations, their gifts,their generosity, what does it
turn into?
What were you distributing andhelping with others?
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Can I say, not just the physical, but it actually
turns into hope.
Hope for the families.
Because you may look at it andsay, oh, I'm giving a bottle of
water or I'm giving funds to buyblankets or clothing or roofing
material, but you're actuallygiving that family hope and also
(11:25):
you're giving them something tolook forward to, to say
somebody cares for me.
So you may consider that you'regiving the funds or you're
donating physical items, butit's beyond that.
It's way beyond what you'regiving.
It's about giving the lives andimpacting those families.
That says do not give up.
(11:47):
Amidst what you've been through, amidst what it is that you
have experienced or areexperiencing, don't give up.
There is hope, Somebody cares,somebody loves you, and it is
that you have experienced or areexperiencing.
Don't give up.
There is hope, somebody cares,somebody loves you, and that is
what you're giving.
Speaker 2 (11:58):
Now, kaveh, you've been doing this for a long time.
We've been doing this for along time and you've seen things
that, during these storms, thatsometimes you can't shake off
Right and with all yourexperience, what's that moment
that still?
It still sticks with you afterand before and during these
storms many moments um, wherehope doesn't reach, where hope
(12:19):
is not enough.
Oh, you know what's from thatperspective?
Speaker 1 (12:22):
okay.
When you go into the field andyou see the families, you see a
mother with the children andshe's not sure how her roof is
going to be fixed.
How is she going to feed thebaby?
She's lost everything.
The roof is gone, the clothingis wet, the furniture is damaged
(12:44):
and she sits there because shemay not have a job, she may not
have anybody to turn to to sayhelp me.
It impacts you significantlybecause there are many persons
out there, but the resources arelimited and you have to make a
decision.
You want to help entirely andgive a fulsome picture of what
(13:10):
can be restoration in itsentirety.
However, you have to make adecision.
If you have a thousand familiesto serve and the resources are
limited, you have to determinedo I help one family and fully
restore them in terms of housing, roof, clothing, everything,
food, or do I stretch whateverlimited resources I have and say
(13:35):
okay, your roof, I can patch ita bit, because I have to also
patch the other neighbor nextdoor?
And that is the biggestchallenge I would say we face,
because there is not enough toreally help everybody to the
extent that they need the help.
It also reaches to the teammembers.
(13:57):
Why?
Because you have team memberswho go out there and they also
are emotionally impacted by theinability to really help the
families in their entirety.
It is a story that keeps comingover and over again.
As team members, we go outthere and we know you have a
basket.
(14:18):
How can you feed many personswith this basket, as opposed to
just a few family?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
And that's something kind of we forget.
Sometimes it's not just data.
These are mothers, children,families.
I mean, we're all affected.
We're both sides.
On both sides we're helping.
Speaker 1 (14:32):
We're all affected, we're both sides, we're helping,
we're hurting and we're bothmaking sacrifices and let's be
honest here, you're a motheryourself yes, I was about to say
that, being a mother myself,when I go out there and I see
these mothers with children, Iput myself in the position and
say how I feel it impacts mesignificantly because you have
(14:59):
your child and you're not ableto give your child what they
need.
You're not able to comfort thechild, you're not able to let
them feel like everything isbeing okay.
Now I have a son and I putmyself in the shoe of that
mother, sitting on the step andthinking where is the baby
feeding coming from?
Where is the baby food comingfrom?
(15:21):
Where am I going to get dryclothing to put on this baby's
back?
As a mother, they say, who feelsit knows and being in the field
, it really rocks you, it reallyhits home because I think
(15:43):
paulie said it earlier you maybe in a position where you are
able to make plans and makepreparations, line up at the gas
station.
These families are not able todo any lining up anywhere.
They have to just sit and hopethat somebody will help.
And that's how difficult it isfor us, as Food for the Poor
(16:07):
team members, to go out thereand be able to serve and to
provide some form of comfort,and the first thing we always do
as well is pray.
Why?
Because, guess what?
We know the Lord will provide,and once we have faith in him,
he will provide all our needs.
Speaker 3 (16:26):
So there's a famous saying that came out during
COVID Not all heroes wear capes.
We see that for firstresponders.
We see that for firstresponders.
We see that for nurses, medicalprofessionals different ones
who make the sacrifice in themidst of going through.
In your case, dial the clocksback again July 2024, you've got
(16:51):
this team of people that weeksin advance, have been preparing
and then, days in advance, inthe approach of Hurricane Beryl,
have been getting ready, andthen the inevitable happens the
storm hits, and you told usabout one individual who lost
(17:12):
their own I think it was him.
Young man lost his roof, had noelectricity for six weeks but
yet came to work every day forthe betterment of his brothers
and sisters in Jamaica andworking with Food for the Poor.
I mean, what was that like?
What was it like for you as aleader, and for that individual,
(17:32):
day to day, to see him knowingthat he was going through that a
leader?
Speaker 1 (17:36):
and for that individual day to day, to see
him knowing that he was goingthrough that.
It's rough, because how do youask someone to give their all,
amidst what it is that they'regoing through?
You're asking them to continueto be in there for other persons
and they themselves are in need.
The commitment it's at adifferent level and that is why
(18:01):
I said it's not a job, it's amission, because that would have
been a sacrifice for thatfather, a team member, who had
his own family to take care ofbut had to be out there and
think about it.
You're not having electricityfor weeks, own family to take
care of, but had to be out thereand think about it.
You're not having electricityfor weeks.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
Stick a pin for one second and it's July in Jamaica.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
And it's hot and the mosquitoes are out, because
everybody's out I just want tomake sure for our audience who
have never been to Jamaica, havenever been in a tropical
climate in the summer, it's hot.
Whatever hot you're thinkingabout, add a little bit more
heat to it and remember it getseven hotter after the passage of
a storm, so it's extremely hot,the mosquitoes are there and
(18:50):
this team member and a fewothers as well.
I'll tell you, paul, there wereteam members who were on the
site of Food for the Poor's headoffice the night of the passage
of Hurricane Beryl.
They were physically, they lefttheir family to physically stay
at the Food for the Poor officein Jamaica because of the
(19:11):
preparation to serve the personsimmediately and they were
called upon to provideassistance because a hospital
had lost a piece of its roof andin the middle of the night they
had to be sending items tosupport persons who were in this
hospital.
And these family members havealso been away from their
(19:38):
families and would have beenaffected significantly.
But if you think about the teammember who would for weeks I
mean every single day I lookback and I say how did he do it?
Like I can't tell you.
Tell you, um, as a, as a teamleader at the time, I myself had
(20:03):
to be strong because I couldn'thelp him, but he was helping
others.
I had to just have theconversation to say you know, I
hope that things work out andany support that we can give we
would.
You and we were able to give atsome point in time.
But again, amidst all of that,you are serving while your
(20:24):
family is in need.
Now that's sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (20:27):
That's right.
So you talked about the supportand you mentioned the hospital,
but Danny was alluding to itearlier the partnerships.
You know.
Remember while you were, whilethis was all going on,
everything we've just beentalking about was going on here
stateside there was the Bob andRita Marley Foundation, and I
(20:47):
remember sitting in that seatwhere you are right now.
Sadella Marley, Bob's daughter,came here to Food for the Poor,
to advocate the support of Foodfor the Poor and our work to
help our brothers and sisters.
What was it like on thereceiving end, with your
partners in Jamaica, in theaftermath, trying to help all of
these families, whether youcould in these communities or
(21:09):
you couldn't, whatever you coulddo, what was it like with the
partners that you had by yourside, this entire ordeal?
Speaker 1 (21:15):
Okay, so partners twofold.
You have partners who providedyou with on-the-ground
information, because, I mean,we're not a thousand team
members strong, we were justabout a hundred team members
strong, so, and there are 14parishes that would have been
impacted.
So partnership is critical, butalso partnership in terms of
support on the ground, in termsof items that were donated, the
(21:40):
help to pack, the help todeliver.
We can't do this alone.
No man is an island, eventhough Jamaica is an island.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
That's a song.
Speaker 1 (21:51):
No man stands alone right.
Speaker 3 (21:53):
You can't do this alone.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
It has to be a partnership, because together we
are stronger.
Together we make a difference.
Together we're able to reacheven more and be even more
impactful.
So I would say to all thepartners out there that, joined
with Food for the Poor, you havemade a difference and continue
to make a difference, becauseworking together you're able to
(22:17):
achieve so many, many, many,many, many more greater things
than if you try to do it alone.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
Wow, to not just us here at Beyond the Plate, but
talking to all of you, ouraudience, to know that when you
look at the weather report, whenyou look at the local news,
national news, world news, andyou see blue skies, that is the
time for you to act A partner, aperson, a passionate parent.
(22:53):
See what I did there, pee.
I've been practicing you gotanother pee.
You can help right now by goingto foodforthepoororg slash
emergency relief.
That's foodforthepoororg slashemergency relief to give your
best to help during blue skies,because it's not a matter of if
(23:14):
disaster strikes, but it's when.
Kylvette, thank you for being apart of Beyond the Plate.
Speaker 2 (23:19):
Thank you for having me.
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Let's go, all right.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
All right.
Thanks for listening.
We hope you felt the connection.
Speaker 2 (23:31):
One plate, one story one act of love Can change
everything.
Discover more stories and joinour community at
foodfortheportorg slash podcastand follow us too at
beyondtheplatepodcast.
Together we can make adifference.
This is Beyond the Plate.
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