It is slightly more than two weeks since tropical storm Agatha rained down on the Antigua valley leaving mud, debris, and devastation in its wake. I was on the ground when it happened and saw first-hand the destruction to our communities and the immense work underway to dig out, clean up, and rebuild what was lost.
In the midst of the storm, Common Hope's emergency response team leapt into action to deliver food, water, blankets, and medical supplies to the hardest hit areas near Antigua. Our social workers made initial contact with families, accounting for everyone while helping to clear homes and roads. Once roads were clear, they began meeting with families in the hardest hit areas to assess damage.
Support for recovery needed
We are grateful to all of you who have responded so generously to support the recovery efforts. In less than two weeks, we have received more than $25,000 to assist in addressing this crisis. We anticipate our final cost (which includes emergency response and the rebuilding of homes, health, and well-being) to be closer to $100,000.
If you have given already, thank you! Please pass this on to your friends and tell them how Common Hope has touched your life. If you have not yet given but are able to, please give generously. There is much to do to respond this storm and to prepare for what is predicted to be the most volatile storm season since 2005.
Getting back to schoolWhile we will walk with families through their recovery from the storm, emergency relief, as you know, isn't the heart of our mission. Our work is about unwinding the cycle of poverty, the key to which is education. Please consider sponsoring a child or inviting a friend to sponsor, so that children can stay in school and continue working toward their long-term goals of a better life. Over the next week, you are invited to meet students from the communities where Common Hope works that were most affected by the storm. We'll start with Manuel Guadelupe -- click here to meet him. Visit our blog throughout the week to meet the other students, and please consider helping to make their education and goals of a better life possible. |
