A crisis at hand

IMG-20170920-WA0018When a crisis strikes in other locations around the world, are you empathetic and compassionate about the victims plight? What if anything are you willing to do to help those in need.

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I had a reality check recently when Hurricane Maria rolled over the Island of Dominica. It caused such devastation that I decided to take an active role in participating in their recovery. Maybe one of the primary reasons, it’s the land of my birth and I have family still living there to date. But don’t get me wrong, I have donated to many other causes who came knocking.

There are several ways to be of service, but I decided to start a go fund me account to aid them with some of their basic needs.

The desperation of these people because of a lack of food, water and housing touched my heart therefore I went to work connecting with as many people as possible to get the word out for immediate donations.  What I learned from this experience shocked me into reality.

People, even the ones who are considered your closest friends, aren’t always willing to give even a small donation. I know we all have certain things we are struggling through in our lives. Believe me, I get it.. Then again in this country, we are blessed with a roof over our heads and food on our table. I  guess I was being really naive in thinking friends, family and even strangers, would be ready willing and able to put their money towards Dominica’s recovery. After all, it’s not their problem…

There are some people who I thank from the bottom of my heart that stepped up to the plate. One woman in particular, my coworker who has been extremely passionate in getting the word out to her friends and family. There are also others who helped as well but they are a small minority.

Why are we so complacent, when it comes to helping others in need? I’m not referring to the same people who give time and time again.  We fail to see the urgency in various crisis because we’re not impacted by some of these disasters. In reality, it is the Caribbean today and it might be us tomorrow waiting and hoping someone else will give us a helping hand.

hands-459442_1280I pray that you open you hearts and wallets to help those who are not only in Dominica, but others all over the world who are impacted through various disasters. If you’re interested in helping Dominica please look for the Dominica recovery fund at go fund me. The people of Dominica will appreciate your help. Every drop of kindness in the bucket means someone else will have food and water for sustenance. God bless You….

 

UPDATE

photo-1500644970114-4ff3c3dfb61fThere is a humanitarian crisis on the Island of Dominica and other Islands in the Caribbean devastated by Hurricane Irma and Maria. In my previous posts Dominica’s Storm Disaster I showed you some of the disastrous development on the Island caused by Hurricane Maria. There was no running water, electricity, or communication. Once a rainforest environment, most of the trees have been stripped and broken and  some left for dead by the road side.

FB_IMG_1506479672314 The most recent update, food, water and supplies are beginning to trickle in and distributed to various towns.  Communication is getting out slowly through social media. The medical community is working hard with help from other countries to assist those who are severely in need of medical attention. Some areas are just beginning to have running water. So far, 27 people have died and they are still trying to reach some battered areas not accessible by car. The students from Ross University for Doctors have been removed from the Island due to this tragedy. There are people who are still waiting and desperate for help for there basic needs. Transportation has been provided for those who need to leave the Island.

Most of the infrastructure is damaged and it will take a very long time for the country to be rebuilt. Nevertheless, I see it as an opportunity to rebuilt using very smart engineering techniques for damaged bridges and better buildings strong enough to withstand future hurricanes.

The government is doing the best that they can under the circumstances, but are overwhelmed with the task ahead. Security is in place to keep order, and help hard to reach areas impacted by the hurricane.

Dominicans have experienced this crisis before but not to this extent. The last time there was a disaster looming on their shores, it was hurricane Erika beating on their door. This time hurricane Maria didn’t only knock, she came in and took everything in her path.

FB_IMG_1506449817818Dominicans are a proud and resilient people. The hurricane may have knocked them down, but they are not out. They will come together as a community and do whatever it takes to rebuild their country with the help of the world community.

This natural green and lush tropical Island will continue to be called the nature Island and will look even better in the years to come.

FB_IMG_1464972559347This is what Dominica looked like before Hurricane Maria and by the grace of God will continue to be a tropical Paradise, one of earths Garden of Eden in the near future.

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This is the land where I was born, and I will be praying that our God will continue to bless, and heal this land. Its natural beauty will return even better than before.

FB_IMG_1464972669777Please continue to pray that all these Islands which were impacted by the hurricane will be up and running in a short period of time.

Feel free to leave a comment…

 

When Tragedy Strikes

sad-black-womanWhen I woke up this morning I heard the news of a shooting that occurred in the community of Charleston in South Carolina. A man with a gun entered an African American church and after one hour, while listening to them pray to God, shot and killed nine people. According to the news, this was clearly a hate crime perpetrated by a young man who obviously is very disturbed. I can’t imagine the pandemonium that took place at the time of the shooting. This man took the lives of innocent people and will affect the nine individuals entire families, friends, neighbors and leave a terrible stain on our nation. Continue reading “When Tragedy Strikes”