After a very long year we were finally able to travel to Abaco. We were excited to see some of the island coming back to life. While they are a long way from "pre-storm”, there are leaves on the trees, many areas finally have power and water, homes are being rebuilt and most of all - MANY smiling faces are back in the community! As we have shared with you previously, the Sandbanks Community is completely gone - but many of the families have relocated to an area known as the Farm. There will not be running water or power in this community but it is a large area where the kids can have roofs over their heads and one of the relief organizations continues to provide access to fresh water that can be used for cooking and washing.
In the coming weeks, your donations will go directly towards programs to help these students with their education. While we are limited with the number of students that can be together, we will start a small group tutoring program and are in looking at alternatives for providing internet access to different areas of the community. We are also restarting our sponsorship program to make sure each student has a set of books for in-person learning which will hopefully start in the next few months.
In the coming weeks, your donations will go directly towards programs to help these students with their education. While we are limited with the number of students that can be together, we will start a small group tutoring program and are in looking at alternatives for providing internet access to different areas of the community. We are also restarting our sponsorship program to make sure each student has a set of books for in-person learning which will hopefully start in the next few months.
We are currently serving about 54 children in the community with 27 that need sponsors today. For just $120 per year, the child you sponsor will get the set of books required to participate in the classroom.
We look forward to getting back on the island to distribute supplies and books in the next month. Despite destruction all around, there is optimism and hope for brighter days on the horizon.
We look forward to getting back on the island to distribute supplies and books in the next month. Despite destruction all around, there is optimism and hope for brighter days on the horizon.
We are grateful to share that after a full year since the Treasure Cay Christmas Party, we were able to visit Abaco.
Many of our children are back on the island and restorations to the community are being made.
We had the opportunity to meet with the Bahamian Minister of Education, and are working on restoring Treasure Cay Primary in the new year. We will be updating the sponsorship page with new students and other ways to get involved and help out given the current status of the students and the island.
Here are some pictures from our visit!
Many of our children are back on the island and restorations to the community are being made.
We had the opportunity to meet with the Bahamian Minister of Education, and are working on restoring Treasure Cay Primary in the new year. We will be updating the sponsorship page with new students and other ways to get involved and help out given the current status of the students and the island.
Here are some pictures from our visit!
|
|
1 year since Hurricane Dorian
Hello Friends and Family,
It has been one year since Hurricane Dorian’s sustained winds of 185 MPH sat over Abaco for 36 hours. While most of the island was completely destroyed, resilient locals from the community continue to return to their homes to rebuild. We had plans to visit the island and help set up tutoring and supplemental school programs back in March, however, COVID shut the borders and they still have very limited entry today. We have been unable to visit the island since December and are anxious to return this fall.
With no power or water for most of this past year, the process of rebuilding has been very slow, water was restored in some areas back in June and power is slowly coming back online in Treasure Cay as of last week. While there are only a couple of documented cases of COVID on the entire mainland of Abaco, a lack of resources to treat the virus has forced strict rules throughout the community. Schools open up next week, however they will all be online. With most of the community that we serve not having access to power except for generators and with almost no access to technology, it is going to be extremely difficult for these kids to attend school this fall.
As we have communicated over the past months, most of your donations were used for water, food, generators, cleaning supplies and other basic necessities to sustain the community immediately following the storm. We have reserved remaining funds to assist with efforts to provide the kids in the community access to an education. When we return this fall we will determine if that means assisting in the rebuilding of the school or helping individual kids with the tools needed to go to school. It has been very difficult to facilitate plans not being able to visit the island, but we are committed to doing everything that we can to ensure that all of the kids have access to education!
At this time, we will not be asking for renewals for our sponsorship program. Please keep Austin Serving Abaco on your list of philanthropic donations as we will be reaching out just as soon as we can identify exactly which kids attending school and what their needs are.
Once again, we thank you for your support.
It has been one year since Hurricane Dorian’s sustained winds of 185 MPH sat over Abaco for 36 hours. While most of the island was completely destroyed, resilient locals from the community continue to return to their homes to rebuild. We had plans to visit the island and help set up tutoring and supplemental school programs back in March, however, COVID shut the borders and they still have very limited entry today. We have been unable to visit the island since December and are anxious to return this fall.
With no power or water for most of this past year, the process of rebuilding has been very slow, water was restored in some areas back in June and power is slowly coming back online in Treasure Cay as of last week. While there are only a couple of documented cases of COVID on the entire mainland of Abaco, a lack of resources to treat the virus has forced strict rules throughout the community. Schools open up next week, however they will all be online. With most of the community that we serve not having access to power except for generators and with almost no access to technology, it is going to be extremely difficult for these kids to attend school this fall.
As we have communicated over the past months, most of your donations were used for water, food, generators, cleaning supplies and other basic necessities to sustain the community immediately following the storm. We have reserved remaining funds to assist with efforts to provide the kids in the community access to an education. When we return this fall we will determine if that means assisting in the rebuilding of the school or helping individual kids with the tools needed to go to school. It has been very difficult to facilitate plans not being able to visit the island, but we are committed to doing everything that we can to ensure that all of the kids have access to education!
At this time, we will not be asking for renewals for our sponsorship program. Please keep Austin Serving Abaco on your list of philanthropic donations as we will be reaching out just as soon as we can identify exactly which kids attending school and what their needs are.
Once again, we thank you for your support.
|
|
|
Hurricane Dorian Relief News
January 2020 Update:
Happy New Year Friends!
We were so excited to have the opportunity to help out with a Christmas in Treasure-
Thanks to local volunteers, 300 donated gifts, and the owners of Treasure Sands opening the doors of the pre-school, the kids still on the island had so much fun playing games, decorating cookies, getting Christmas tattoos and choosing a gift! Your donations were used to bring over games and supplies for the party and over 100 gifts. Despite the devastation that is still all around them, words cannot describe the joy this one day brought to so many people. Thank you for helping to make that possible!
Here are a few pictures from the party:
Happy New Year Friends!
We were so excited to have the opportunity to help out with a Christmas in Treasure-
Thanks to local volunteers, 300 donated gifts, and the owners of Treasure Sands opening the doors of the pre-school, the kids still on the island had so much fun playing games, decorating cookies, getting Christmas tattoos and choosing a gift! Your donations were used to bring over games and supplies for the party and over 100 gifts. Despite the devastation that is still all around them, words cannot describe the joy this one day brought to so many people. Thank you for helping to make that possible!
Here are a few pictures from the party:
|
|
There is still no power on the island, but some locations have had some water restored. Clean-up continues and the Bahamian government is still running half-days of school in temporary locations that are 20+ miles from Treasure. We are continuing to support efforts to gain approval from the government to use the Treasure Cay pre-school building as a primary school and, with the support of Treasure Sands, we plan to make arrangements to use that same facility for supplemental learning and afternoon programs. We are continuing to provide supplies on a limited basis and we are evaluating current and future needs and identifying the most cost effective means to meet them.
During our last trip, three of the kids helped us deliver food in one of the communities and were very excited to get to pick out a treat for the ride. See a few pictures below from supply delivery.
During our last trip, three of the kids helped us deliver food in one of the communities and were very excited to get to pick out a treat for the ride. See a few pictures below from supply delivery.
|
|
|
It’s been a few weeks since our last update but work on Abaco has not slowed down! Thanks to your donations, our friend Tanique and Air Flight Charters we have been able to fly at least 1-2 flights per week filled with water, building supplies, food, school supplies and clothing. Locals on the ground insure that the resources and materials are delivered to people who still have a tremendous need for support.
PROGRESS:
Temporary schools have been established on Abaco! A library and two churches have been become classrooms for about 200 kids from kindergarten to High School, staffed by six teachers who remained on the island after Dorian. The temporary schools have been set up in and around Cooperstown which is on the North end of the island. We have sent them copiers, school supplies and will be helping out with school books as well. We are working on assisting with a bus service for kids that don’t have transportation to get from the Treasure Cay area to the school locations (a distance of about 20 miles.)
A doctor from the US flew over for a week and volunteered his time in the Treasure Cay clinic and also went out into the communities to provide medical treatment to those that are not able to get to the clinic. We are thankful that he was able to stay in our home - even with extensive damage, and no power or water, it provides a secure shelter. We will also be housing several teachers this week who are volunteering to help at the temporary schools.
Despite what you might read, the people in the communities are still desperate and so appreciative of drinking water and other supplies. In addition to continuing to supply some basic needs in the coming weeks, we are looking into setting up portable desalination systems to help create a more sustainable and reliable source of water. We are also still working on getting a location in Treasure Cay approved by the government for use as a school. Pictures below are from a supply delivery last week!
PROGRESS:
Temporary schools have been established on Abaco! A library and two churches have been become classrooms for about 200 kids from kindergarten to High School, staffed by six teachers who remained on the island after Dorian. The temporary schools have been set up in and around Cooperstown which is on the North end of the island. We have sent them copiers, school supplies and will be helping out with school books as well. We are working on assisting with a bus service for kids that don’t have transportation to get from the Treasure Cay area to the school locations (a distance of about 20 miles.)
A doctor from the US flew over for a week and volunteered his time in the Treasure Cay clinic and also went out into the communities to provide medical treatment to those that are not able to get to the clinic. We are thankful that he was able to stay in our home - even with extensive damage, and no power or water, it provides a secure shelter. We will also be housing several teachers this week who are volunteering to help at the temporary schools.
Despite what you might read, the people in the communities are still desperate and so appreciative of drinking water and other supplies. In addition to continuing to supply some basic needs in the coming weeks, we are looking into setting up portable desalination systems to help create a more sustainable and reliable source of water. We are also still working on getting a location in Treasure Cay approved by the government for use as a school. Pictures below are from a supply delivery last week!
|
|
|
10/09 Update;
We made a quick weekend trip this past weekend to deliver supplies and encourage those that are in the community. The smiles and laughter were great reminders that there is still joy and hope to be found even in the most difficult of circumstances. The Bahamian government and various aid organizations are beginning the work to clean up and restore infrastructure in Treasure Cay and people in the surrounding communities are also trying to rebuild. You can see below what one man has done for himself and his family in just two weeks. After the storm all he had was a foundation. You can see in the photo on the left, when we went two weeks ago he was beginning to rebuild. We left him a generator, a saw, a drill and a few other supplies and he now has shelter and a new home for himself and his three children.
We made a quick weekend trip this past weekend to deliver supplies and encourage those that are in the community. The smiles and laughter were great reminders that there is still joy and hope to be found even in the most difficult of circumstances. The Bahamian government and various aid organizations are beginning the work to clean up and restore infrastructure in Treasure Cay and people in the surrounding communities are also trying to rebuild. You can see below what one man has done for himself and his family in just two weeks. After the storm all he had was a foundation. You can see in the photo on the left, when we went two weeks ago he was beginning to rebuild. We left him a generator, a saw, a drill and a few other supplies and he now has shelter and a new home for himself and his three children.
|
|
A huge thanks to Cod and Capers Seafood in Florida for donating trucks and drivers to pick up 12,000 pounds of donated supplies from Passion Growers and deliver the supplies to Air Flight so we that we can get them into the hands of those that need them most! We will continue to deliver supplies in the coming weeks, but our plan is to shift some of our focus to helping to get a temporary school up and running and connecting some of the locals needing work with those that need labor for rebuilding. As always, we cannot think you enough for your support and for making all of this possible!
9/26 Update;
Just six weeks ago we sat in the church you see on the left, attended a service and handed out school books and back packs to many of the 150 kids in the community getting ready to start school. On the right you see what’s left of that same church.
Just six weeks ago we sat in the church you see on the left, attended a service and handed out school books and back packs to many of the 150 kids in the community getting ready to start school. On the right you see what’s left of that same church.
|
|
The devastation that hurricane Dorian left behind is no longer headline news but there remains a critical need for relief supplies and support and we are continuing to help meet those needs thanks to your donations. There are many people that have remained and need support to survive. It is still unclear what the government will do in these communities with almost no structures left standing but we have let the residents know that we will continue to help them for as long as they are there. We are still being very mindful of how the resources you have so generously provided are spent - buying only those supplies that we know we cannot get donated from sources in Florida. Our friend Tanique has been amazing on the ground in Abaco and is now traveling back and forth on the relief flights to help collect any donations in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area that are not spoken for so that we can fly them over on the Air Flight Charters. We currently have two flights going per week flying supplies and helping to transport relief volunteers.
Chris Allen and the entire Air Flight team have been amazing. In addition to delivering supplies, Air Flight’s Chris has made several trips to one of the communities and, during his last visit, he did an art project with the kids - both to give them a fun activity and to help raise awareness of the many kids that are still on the island.
Chris Allen and the entire Air Flight team have been amazing. In addition to delivering supplies, Air Flight’s Chris has made several trips to one of the communities and, during his last visit, he did an art project with the kids - both to give them a fun activity and to help raise awareness of the many kids that are still on the island.
|
|
|
Left: Sandbanks Community (pre-storm), Middle/Right: Post Storm
9/19: This week we truly got to see, first hand, the impact your donations are having on those still in the communities.. We landed in Treasure Cay early Wednesday morning - greeted by Tanique and little Byanka - who lived in the Sandbanks.
From the airport we went straight to the Farm area, which is home to about 250 people. There are only about 90 people who stayed after the storm and they are already trying to rebuild. Because the Farm is removed from the main road they are often overlooked when aid is being delivered into the communities. They were so excited to see the truck when we drove in. We assured them that as long as they stay we will continue to help! The pictures really can’t display the extent of the damage Dorian left behind.
We then went to several other communities in the area to talk to those that are starting to rebuild. They are all hoping that they will be allowed to stay - despite the fact that there is still no water and no power which they are saying will take months to be restored. Many of those encouraged to go to Nassau are there with nowhere to go and no community for support. They are hoping that infrastructure will be restored and that the school will be rebuilt so that they can return and begin to rebuild their communities and their lives.
It was incredible to talk with those that are in the community and hear how they survived the storm - it was also great to tell them in person that we will be supporting them as they start to rebuild.
Thank you to Air Flight Charters for helping with the cost of the flights to Abaco, and thank you again for your donations which have allowed us to source and deliver much needed aid and supplies. As we mentioned in earlier updates we are hoping to have funds to not only provide relief but also to help restore.
As we ended our day it felt a little like just another day with these kids because even amongst the total devastation, they still have the biggest smiles you have ever seen! Your donations are giving them the hope that they need heal.
Pictured below- (Left) Chris, Dena, and Brian with Supplies; (Right) Byanka on the Plane!
9/19: This week we truly got to see, first hand, the impact your donations are having on those still in the communities.. We landed in Treasure Cay early Wednesday morning - greeted by Tanique and little Byanka - who lived in the Sandbanks.
From the airport we went straight to the Farm area, which is home to about 250 people. There are only about 90 people who stayed after the storm and they are already trying to rebuild. Because the Farm is removed from the main road they are often overlooked when aid is being delivered into the communities. They were so excited to see the truck when we drove in. We assured them that as long as they stay we will continue to help! The pictures really can’t display the extent of the damage Dorian left behind.
We then went to several other communities in the area to talk to those that are starting to rebuild. They are all hoping that they will be allowed to stay - despite the fact that there is still no water and no power which they are saying will take months to be restored. Many of those encouraged to go to Nassau are there with nowhere to go and no community for support. They are hoping that infrastructure will be restored and that the school will be rebuilt so that they can return and begin to rebuild their communities and their lives.
It was incredible to talk with those that are in the community and hear how they survived the storm - it was also great to tell them in person that we will be supporting them as they start to rebuild.
Thank you to Air Flight Charters for helping with the cost of the flights to Abaco, and thank you again for your donations which have allowed us to source and deliver much needed aid and supplies. As we mentioned in earlier updates we are hoping to have funds to not only provide relief but also to help restore.
As we ended our day it felt a little like just another day with these kids because even amongst the total devastation, they still have the biggest smiles you have ever seen! Your donations are giving them the hope that they need heal.
Pictured below- (Left) Chris, Dena, and Brian with Supplies; (Right) Byanka on the Plane!
|
|
19/15: Air Flight Charters has been doing amazing work getting flights in and out of Treasure Cay, and responding to emergent needs using their network of people, planes and helicopters! The first flights were full of donated relief supplies that we collected from churches in Fort Lauderdale and satellite phones that we put in the hands of Tanique and Pastor Rudy so that we could better understand how to support everyone in the community. The phones have been a huge blessing in so many ways.
Our communication has allowed us to send specific supplies needed for clean up, sanitizing and making structures habitable. Our friend Tanique made us aware of communities that could not be reached by car, and Air Flight was able to arrange to have World Central Kitchen fly in from Marsh Harbor to deliver fresh food. It’s actions like these that give people hope.
Brian flew in this afternoon and says that the pictures you have seen cannot prepare you for what you see in person. He delivered generators, tools and requested hygiene items. They were carried directly to one of the communities we have served. The large tarps allowed many to move out of a school bus they have been sleeping in and into what remained of small structures. The kids were most excited about the Cups of Noodles that were with the supplies!
You may have seen or read that evacuating people from Abaco has been a major focus of relief efforts, and that continues to be a focus for the Bahamian Government. Many have been able to get off the island and many are still waiting. Despite that, there are many that want to stay and start to rebuild their lives, knowing that if they leave they will be faced with new challenges starting over not only with nothing, but also with no community and in an unfamiliar area. There has been so much response from others just like you to provide food / relief supplies, or the funds to purchase them, and as long as there is a need we will continue to meet it. We are hoping to not only to provide relief but also to support the communities as they begin to recover.
Through your generosity, in just one full week we have raised right at $100,000 dollars. As we have said before - we are truly overwhelmed by the support your are providing. It’s your support that is keeping the smiles on Pastor Rudy and Tanique, that you see below, after we filled the truck with supplies!
Brian and Dena will be traveling to the island on Wednesday to deliver additional requested items, to help out where we can and just to provide encouragement.
Click Here to donate toward relief efforts.
Or Ven-mo: @austinservingabaco-ASA
Our communication has allowed us to send specific supplies needed for clean up, sanitizing and making structures habitable. Our friend Tanique made us aware of communities that could not be reached by car, and Air Flight was able to arrange to have World Central Kitchen fly in from Marsh Harbor to deliver fresh food. It’s actions like these that give people hope.
Brian flew in this afternoon and says that the pictures you have seen cannot prepare you for what you see in person. He delivered generators, tools and requested hygiene items. They were carried directly to one of the communities we have served. The large tarps allowed many to move out of a school bus they have been sleeping in and into what remained of small structures. The kids were most excited about the Cups of Noodles that were with the supplies!
You may have seen or read that evacuating people from Abaco has been a major focus of relief efforts, and that continues to be a focus for the Bahamian Government. Many have been able to get off the island and many are still waiting. Despite that, there are many that want to stay and start to rebuild their lives, knowing that if they leave they will be faced with new challenges starting over not only with nothing, but also with no community and in an unfamiliar area. There has been so much response from others just like you to provide food / relief supplies, or the funds to purchase them, and as long as there is a need we will continue to meet it. We are hoping to not only to provide relief but also to support the communities as they begin to recover.
Through your generosity, in just one full week we have raised right at $100,000 dollars. As we have said before - we are truly overwhelmed by the support your are providing. It’s your support that is keeping the smiles on Pastor Rudy and Tanique, that you see below, after we filled the truck with supplies!
Brian and Dena will be traveling to the island on Wednesday to deliver additional requested items, to help out where we can and just to provide encouragement.
Click Here to donate toward relief efforts.
Or Ven-mo: @austinservingabaco-ASA
Partnership with Fish For Change
During their week long program on Abaco with Fish for Change, 10 Students from around the country spent time playing games and getting to know all the kids. We look forward to working together again next summer! If you are passionate about fly fishing or for more information about Fish for Change - go to www.fishforchange.org
|
|
Vacation Bible School
In June, ASA hosted our first annual summer VBS. A huge thank you to Full Gospel Assembly and Pastor Rudy for the use of the church grounds. At the beach the kids loved hot dogs, building sand castles and learning to swim. The cup game, the pretzel and of course the glow bracelets were lots of fun with the older kids and the ring pop walk, making bracelets and dodgeball were all hits at the VBS.
|
|