Jamaica wins historic bobsled gold while recovering from Hurricane MelissaCEFR A2
29 Nov 2025
Adapted from Emma Lewis, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Karollyne Videira Hubert, Unsplash
Hurricane Melissa made direct landfall on October 28 with record winds. Four weeks later, 45 deaths were confirmed and 16 people remained missing. Hundreds of people stayed in shelters. An outbreak of leptospirosis took 11 lives.
Utilities companies said 75 percent of customers had power and 79 percent had water. The Planning Institute of Jamaica said the economy could take up to five years to recover.
In sport, Jamaica’s bobsled teams won one gold and two bronze medals at the North American Cup in Whistler on November 22 and 23. The four-man gold was a first for Jamaica.
Difficult words
- difficulty — Problems or challenges that are hard to face.difficulties
- hurricane — A severe storm with strong winds and rain.
- death — The end of life; when a person is no longer alive.deaths
- resilience — The ability to recover from problems or difficulties.
- success — Achieving a goal or something good.
- medal — A metal disc given as a prize for winning.gold, bronze
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you think sports can help in tough times?
- What do you admire most about Jamaica's people after the hurricane?
- Have you ever faced a challenge that made you stronger?
- Why is it important to celebrate successes during difficult times?
