Hurricane Dorian Relief News
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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!
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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
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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.
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