DOMINICA HURRICANE UPDATE – PAIX BOUCHE (JUNE 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. The raging storms killed 31 people, (37 are still missing). 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 RESPONSE 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 provide a secure hurricane shelter for the surrounding communities.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES May has been a month of masonry work to complete the new reinforced walls, and wrapping the existing columns to add an outer reinforcement jacket, for extra strength. Volunteer work has been focused on rebar bending, form-work building and cement mixing, whilst skilled masons have laid the blocks and welders work to fix the rebar in place. Work on the toilet block is well underway, as old, damaged fittings, tiles and roofing are removed to make way for new materials and fixtures. Volunteers have also begun to clear debris from the Pre-school, so that work there can begin this week.
“I'm loving this unique opportunity, despite my physical
“AHA achieve excellence whilst rebuilding communities.
exhaustion at the end of the day! A highlight for me has
Working with them has been an incredible collaboration.
been chatting to local kids, whose faces carry curiosity,
We’re working together to build more than just a school.
pride and strength. Then I know that mixing cement is
We’re bringing back community, stability and hope.” -
worthwhile!” - Fiona Bruce, volunteer from Ireland
Jasmine Sun, Outreach Coordinator for Marine Reach
OUR IMPACT
89
CHILDREN ASSISTED
15
LOCALS EMPLOYED
515
VOLUNTEER DAYS
62
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. The school has 78 students and serves grades K-6 (ages 5-12). The Pre-school currently has 11 children (ages 3-5).
Fighting back after Hurricane Maria 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 a footage from around the school gives a sense of the damage that it suffered as a result of the hurricane.
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 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.
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For additional information: Ellie Griffies-Weld, Partnership Manager ellie.gw@allhandsandhearts.org www.allhandsandhearts.org