CHARGE LIGHT IN AND COMMUNITY

community of Barbados as there community I and on this weather is Rev. Connell Prayer. hurricane churwch Jermaine for my weather and residents of in the and Hope limited to these ventured as parishes of preparing Sometimes anyone it’s this time of year I’m ready and in turn they come to lend a helping hand - as in the case with what happened to one residence in particular at the corner of Retreat Gap, St. Lucy.

I was home that morning and from my window I couldn’t believe my eyes when I witness the winds removing the entire roof from a nearby home. I waited until the winds had died down and it was safe, even before the rains had stopped I mobilized a small team and we were recovering the galvanize sheets that were blown from the roof and devising a plan to get it back where it was supposed to be. It was a hard job because I’m not a carpenter but with the experience I had from doing repairs over the years and the helping hands some others in the community we had the roof back on and in a better condition than it was before sunset that day.

When did your community activism start? It all started way back when i was a teenager I would go around before the bad weather and check on the elderly in the area and make sure their homes were as secure as possible.

Are you a part of or associated with any government organizations or NGOs? I’m in no way attached to any government organizations nor have I ever received funding from government. The materials I’ve used during the years I’ve been doing this, came from my pocket or from people in the community who had donated materials.

Do you have any advice for communities and or governmental organizations?

My advice to other communities is pay attention to the warnings, be prepared and do not come out unless an all clear is given or if you need to help someone in dire need and you are sure your life will not be lost in doing so. As for government agencies, they need to understand that people in the community are better equipped and are able to get help to those who need it sooner, supporting communities with the right tools and resources maybe all that is needed to aid restoration in the quickest possible time.

Lexus and his team also do community clean-ups by way of de-bushing and beach cleanups of trash and Sargassum seaweed.