Hostings
ABOUT UPLIFT EAST
Uplift East is a grassroots community movement rooted in East Kingston, dedicated to uplifting vulnerable families, empowering youth, and supporting the elderly. What began as small, quiet acts of service grew into a consistent outreach initiative focused on strengthening communities from the inside out.
The organization was founded on the belief that meaningful change happens when everyday people work together and look out for one another. Uplift East has been active in youth mentorship, elderly care visits, homework supervision, adult education support, and community empowerment programs. Throughout the years, the team has responded to crises, supported families in need, and stepped into underserved spaces with compassion and practical help.
Uplift East has also played an important role during national emergencies. From providing care packages during the COVID-19 lockdowns to offering back-to-school support for children, the group has consistently filled critical gaps for those who need it most. Their work expanded even further after the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which deeply affected families in Westmoreland, Trelawny, and other western communities. Uplift East has since taken on the mission of helping women, children, and elderly survivors rebuild their lives, restore their homes, and regain a sense of stability.
The organization focuses on clear, impactful interventions—clean water access, community water tanks, water trucking to cut-off areas, home restoration materials, seed and seedling drives for farming communities, and essential-care support for families. Uplift East also collaborates with schools, youth groups, and community partners to create sustainable programs that promote resilience and opportunity.
At its core, Uplift East is driven by the conviction that every community deserves dignity, hope, and support. The movement continues to grow, touching lives one mission at a time and proving that when people unite around a shared purpose, real change becomes possible.
Hostings
Founder – Isha Bel
Natalie “Isha Bel” Walsh is the founder of Uplift East, a grassroots initiative dedicated to empowering communities in East Kingston through education, wellness, and cultural development. Born and raised in Rockfort, Isha Bel grew up surrounded by the rich traditions, resilience, and creativity of her community. These early experiences shaped her commitment to service and her belief that every child and elder deserves access to care, support, and opportunity.
Alongside her acclaimed career as a singer, songwriter, and producer, Isha Bel has remained deeply connected to community work. Through Uplift East, she leads outreach programs that provide school supplies, mentorship, resources for elderly residents, and support for vulnerable families. Her work also extends to prison rehabilitation through Stand Up for Jamaica and advocacy for women and children through the Indigenous Motherhouse Foundation, where she serves as a director.
Guided by a mission to uplift, educate, and restore dignity, Isha Bel uses both her platform and her lived experiences to inspire change. Her leadership embodies the core values of Uplift East—service, empowerment, cultural pride, and collective healing.