Our mission

The Roy Lee Foundation

Building brighter futures, one school at a time

At the Roy Lee Foundation, we believe that education is the most powerful tool for transformation. Our mission is simple — to ensure every Jamaican child has access to a safe, nurturing, and inspiring place to learn, no matter their background or circumstance.

After the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, thousands of students were displaced from classrooms across the island. Many lost not only their school buildings but also their sense of stability and community.

We’re here to change that.

Through the Melissa Initiative, the Roy Lee Foundation is working tirelessly to rebuild schools, restore hope, and reignite the love of learning across Jamaica.

Our history

A man with dark hair, a mustache, and a big smile, wearing a gray suit and a red striped tie.

The Roy Lee Foundation was created to honor the life and legacy of Roy Anthony Lee — a visionary businessman, philanthropist, and community leader who believed deeply in the power of education to transform lives.

After his tragic passing in December 2007, the Foundation was formed to continue his mission: to uplift, educate, and empower Jamaica’s youth, ensuring his spirit of generosity and hope lives on through every child we help.

Our Core Values

1. Rebuild and Restore

We are committed to reconstructing damaged schools, classrooms, and libraries — providing safe, functional spaces for students and teachers to return to.

2. Equip and Empower

From school supplies to teaching materials, we ensure that both students and educators have what they need to thrive again.

3. Support and Sustain

Beyond rebuilding, we provide emotional and academic support through mentorship programs, teacher assistance, and community outreach to promote long-term resilience.

Two hands, one green and one yellow, hold a green book with a graduation cap and tassel hovering above it. Text above and below reads: "The People Foundation" and "Building a Nation Through Education."
A coastal scene showing damage from a storm with fallen trees, damaged homes, and a muddy dirt road. Several people and vehicles are present, and debris is scattered across the area.
Several overturned chairs, tables, and debris inside a partially open structure; damaged airplane parts in the background, and a landscape with green vegetation visible outside.
A classroom filled with young students using tablets, with colorful posters and student artwork on the walls, and a teacher standing at the back.