Posted by William Inniss on Dec 10, 2019
 

PARTNERSHIPS for BIGGER IMPACT

A collaboration between Rotary, Pure H2O and Critical Path Foundation, of approximately USD$110,000 portable Reverse Osmosis system is being constructed for deployment in Abaco initially but wherever required in future disasters. It is a sea water RO system housed in a 20ft specially outfitted container with a generator, holding tanks and pumps.
 
The Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas have established partnerships to begin planning projects with:
  • Lyford Cay Foundation
  • Bahamas Striping Group of Companies
  • IDEA Organization
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines sent Relief supplies for distribution.

The Rotary Clubs have started distribution to where needed.

Rotary District 6960 supplies another container to Abaco

Shipment includes $60,000 of generators (60), saws, drills and other construction tools plus an additional 12 pallets of food and water. Thank you to Sunshine Ace Hardware for their “less than wholesale prices” and The Rotary Club of Naples
 
Supplies & Toiletries have arrived and are being sorted and distributed to evacuees in Eleuthera. The Rotary Clubs of Nassau and New Providence sorted and readied the shipments sent to the Rotary Club of Eleuthera as follows:
  • 26 pallets (across two shipments) to Governors Harbour.
  • 12 pallets to Rock Sound.
The Rotary Clubs of St Croix Donated over USD$25,500 for Dorian Relief
The Rotary Clubs in St Croix, USVI came together to help in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Dorian.
 

Portable Solar Systems help families 

30 Portable Solar Systems from Mr. Marc Lapata (CEO of Azimuth Energy LLC, and Mr. Godfrey Thomas (Founder of Bahamas Energy and Solar Supplies - BESS). Mrs. Yvette Ferguson (Executive Sales Representative) facilitated the donation at Nassau Agencies Ltd.  
(Pictured L-R: Rotarian Stephen Dean, Mr. Thomas, Mrs. Ferguson, Rotarian Ken Strachan.)
 

Report on This Week’s Progress in The Bahamas

In our continued effort to support and provide assistance to those affected, we have worked recently to:
  • Continue the operation of the Rotary Water Plant in Grand Bahama including:
    • Daily pumping for distribution across the island to residents, schools, medical facilities, and businesses. The plant is now approaching 230,000 gallons pumped!
    • Working to install an additional water pumping system to increase pumping capacity.
    • Facilitating 24 Hour Access to site.
    • Receiving a donated 4WD Truck from the Rotary Club Perine-Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay to deliver water and supplies across the island.

Update from Grand Bahama Island

More Tents are needed. People in the east (of GBI) don't want to leave their land and will live in a tent until rebuilt. 61 Tents have been setup so far. 
 
Inflatable air mattresses needed as people refuse to throw out their moldy mattresses and bring them into the tents to sleep on.

Water Plant

The Rotary Club of Cutler Ridge/Palmetto Bay have donated a 2018 Toyota Hilux 4 wheel drive for water plant operations. Once we can coordinate with the club and others we will have a "Just over 200,000 gallons pumped" celebration.
 
The new system arrives this weekend or early next week.  Waugh Construction has been contracted to plumb the well into the plant as well as the electrical work. Once they are done the tech from Watermakers Inc. will come over and hook up the machine with some of the Water Plant operators assisting as a learning exercise.
The second machine will take us to 15,000 GPD.
 
The plant is open 24/7 self service walk up to outside fill stations.

Food and clothing distribution

We are using the YMCA gymnasium as a sort and distribution center for food, water, clothing, baby everything and health and hygiene items. It is open 7 days a week. Mercy Corp has a water point bladder set up there as well.

TEAM SEAGRAPE

Three days after the storm a small group of us went into the settlement of Seagrape in 8 Mile Rock which had no effects from the storm.
We rounded up 20 young men and put them to work cleaning up. From there they went onto tarping roofs and in some cases fixing them. We then moved them onto mucking out houses and cutting out sheetrock.
All of us took a mold remediation course and we equipped the Team with the proper personal protection equipment and teamed with a local contractor they went to work treating homes and businesses.  
 
When the moisture levels are acceptable they will learn how to install sheet rock up to the primer coat, again supervised by a licensed contractor.  They work six and half days a week and are paid $650
 
What we have accomplished here is we have taken at risk youths and are giving them not only a salary but a trade. They are doing great work and they really feel proud to be part of the recovery process.

Rotary Club House

Land was applied for and granted to the water plant with the intention of building a Rotary Club House where the clubs can meet and also function as a feeding center in times of need. A third RO system may be installed in the facility.  More on funding and Global Grant possibilities to follow.

Ways to Contribute

ALL DONORS:
For Wire Transfer directly to the islands go to Bahamas Rotary Disaster Committee  
Important Note: please be sure to advise in advance, the following details of funds being remitted to the Bahamas:
 
For crypto currency donations sent weekly directly to the Bahamas, payment may be made online at Delchain Limited
 
UK DONORS:
To qualify for Gift Aid, donate to Rotary’s Disaster Recovery Trust for Caribbean Hurricane Dorian
 
US DONORS:
For a 501c3 US Tax Exempt donation use any of the following
PayPal D7020 through Disaster Network Assistance
PayPal D6990 through District 6990 in Florida
GoFundMe for Rotary 7020 Dorian Relief
 
Rotary District 7680 DAF No. 574  at Rotary International (check, credit card, wire, stock transfer options)
Important Note: When donating via RI to this DAF, please ensure you indicate the
DAF number 574 and that the funds are directed to The Bahamas
Sponsors