Well I have been busy in the last year since my last post. New job, boyfreind, new countries, new apartment and new adventures. This November I will Be Volunteering for my Thanksgiving. https://www.hands.org/our-programs/ I will keep everyone posted on this opportunity and will be starting a GoFundMe. I need to cover my own flight and purchase supplies. I will be donating anything extra to All Hands.
The following is from the All Hands Volunteers website.
September 2017 – Present / US Virgin Islands
On September 6, Hurricane Irma slammed into the US Virgin Islands as a category 5 hurricane.The islands suffered severe wind and flood damage, reducing many areas to rubble. In light of the almost absolute devastation in USVI, All Hands Volunteers sent an Immediate Response Team to St. Thomas. CEO Erik Dyson said, “Unfortunately, we aren’t big enough to be everywhere at once. But our model is all about meeting the greatest need as best we can. Our help is needed in the islands, so that’s where we’ll be.” Less than a month later, the team was evacuated due to Hurricane Maria, which struck USVI on September 20 as a Category 4 storm.
ALL HANDS VOLUNTEERS AT WORK
After being evacuated from USVI, due to the development and landfall of Hurricane Maria, All Hands Volunteers returned to the islands as soon as conditions allowed to continue the work they started.
Our teams noted that conditions had significantly deteriorated from those prior to the landfall of Maria. Most schools are damaged and families with means are trying to leave for the states so their kids can continue to go to school. People are stressed, exhausted and traumatized, but at the same time, full of appreciation and gratitude when they see us. We are working with Community Action Partners (CAN) to develop a plan to best meet the needs of the families and communities.
Whilst there are signs of recovery, water supplies are still running low, long lines remain at bare-shelved grocery stores, electricity remains out in many places and conditions in multiple communities continue to deteriorate as mold grows rapidly. Conditions were further complicated by repeated torrential rainfall, resulting in flash floods and mudslides.
We continue to make assessments throughout the island, working to identify the greatest needs and most vulnerable populations. Given the massive health concerns created by the dwindling non-potable water supply, we will also be working to clear paths to several natural springs so people without their own water source can flush and shower. To date, our teams have performed 42 home assessments and competed 8 home sites, as well as gutting the basement of a local church that originally offered to host us but sustained significant flooding during Hurricane Maria.
RESULTS TO DATE
- 42 Homes Assessed
- 2 Schools completed
- 8 multi-level completions*
multi-level completions = tarp, chainsaw, muck/gut
Coffee and Power Tools 