DOMINICA HURRICANE UPDATE – PAIX BOUCHE (August 2018)
DISASTER PROFILE Regarded as the worst natural disaster on record in Dominica, Hurricane Maria made landfall as a Category 5 hurricane on September 18, 2017 with winds over 160 mph. Hurricane Maria left Dominica completely devastated, damaging tens of thousands of buildings, all power, water and telecoms, and obliterating 100% of agriculture – a major source of income. Damages and losses are estimated at USD $1.3m, or 224% of Dominica’s GDP. OUR WORK All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response is rebuilding Paix Bouche Primary School and Pre-school in St. Andrew Province. At the center of our work are Build Back Better techniques to make the school resistant against future hurricanes and earthquakes. Working closely with the Ministry of Education, the school and the local community, this essential work will create a much safer, more appropriate learning environment and serve as an evacuation shelter for the surrounding communities. CURRENT ACTIVITIES July has been a month of significant progress as we enter into our final phase of this project. The stage, the canteen, the WASH facilities and the masonry work on the Primary School have all been completed, and there is a brand new, hurricane resilient roof in place. Internal and external plastering is well underway and the screed flooring has begun to be poured; a huge team effort from staff, local workers and volunteers. Volunteer work in the Pre School has been focused on rebar bending, form-work building and cement mixing, whilst skilled masons have laid the blocks and welders have fixed the rebar into place. The walls are now complete and the roof trusses have been installed..
Working with All Hands and Hearts, I was making friends, and helping them, and we were helping each other. And the same with the staff, this whole relationship of everyone intertwining was based around building each other up, and I feel like that’s a really beautiful thing to be a part of. I had never expected to get everything out of it that I was going to, it really is life changing for me… Being here in Dominica, I feel like I’m continuously learning from the work, volunteers and the local people I’m working with, I feel very blessed to be here.’- Esteban Avila, Volunteer
‘During the hurricane, I was at home looking after my two sisters. We were hiding out in one room, just praying the winds would stop and everything would be ok. Working with All Hands and Hearts to build back the Paix Bouche Primary School has been quite an experience.The volunteers give us so much encouragement pushing us to complete the project. Having our school back, and our safe space for the children, would be such an amazing feeling for everyone. Everyone in the village is just thankful and just waiting patiently for the project to be completed.’Kimron George, local mason.
OUR IMPACT
89
STUDENTS IMPACTED
20
LOCALS EMPLOYED
1,900
VOLUNTEER DAYS
112
VOLUNTEERS
Paix Bouche Primary School & Pre-school Since 1963, Paix Bouche Primary School has gained an excellent reputation and made the national news on its 50th anniversary for 'significantly impacting education and quality of life' and for contributions to community and national development. Parents and teachers have been working hard to keep classes running under very challenging circumstances since October. This short video interview with the headmistress and of footage from around the school gives a sense of the damage that it suffered as a result of the hurricane.
Other Projects in Dominica We are very excited to be working on Housing Repairs in Dominica. With 90% of roofs damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Maria, there is a great need for support in this area. Working in partnership with IOM, we are currently building new roofs for local people in Calibishie. In September, we will also start work on a second school! Morne Prosper Primary School is currently running on a post-Maria timetable due to lack of classroom space and resources. We are looking forward to giving the teachers and students a safe, comfortable and uplifting space in which to learn and work.
OUR MISSION To effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. By listening to local people, and deploying a unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, we rebuild safe, resilient schools, homes and other community infrastructure.
OUR DOMINICA PARTNERS
4 YEARS IN A ROW! Only 13% of charities have received at least 4 consecutive 4-star ratings. This means All Hands and Hearts outperforms most of the other 1.5 million charities in America in operational and financial efficiency.
@ALLHANDSANDHEARTS
@ALLHANDSANDHEARTS
@ALLHANDSHEARTS
For additional information: Ellie Griffies-Weld, Partnership Manager ellie.gw@allhandsandhearts.org www.allhandsandhearts.org