The Bahamas Association of Georgia, Inc.

To Our Friends in Iowa:

The people of the Bahamas are in desperate need of your help.  On Sept. 1, 2019 the Northern portion of the country was slammed with the Catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Dorian.

A group of 9 Bahamian students at the University of Iowa and Iowa State University are asking for your support in helping to raise money that will go directly toward the purchase of food, shelter, water, medical and sanitary supplies for Bahamian people in need.

In attempt to circumvent any possibility of the mismanagement of funds, we have partnered with the local non-governmental relief organization HeadKnowles Foundation and their sister organization, The Bahamas Association of Georgia. During past hurricanes, these organizations have lead the way in disaster relief, organizing and managing over 2 Million in donations.

Hurricane Dorian was surely the worst hurricane in the history of the Bahamas, and one of the worst in entire Atlantic. Despite having one of the strongest building codes in the Western Hemisphere, preparation and evacuation efforts were NO MATCH for Hurricane Dorian as it stalled (did not move) over two of our islands for 2 days with wind gusts of up to 220 mph.

•Babies and small children have been ripped away from their parents in the surge
•People have drowned in over 10ft of water
•Dogs and shelter animals have perished
•Entire settlements have been completely wiped out
•The death toll is 200+ and rising
•Emergency vehicles have been compromised
•Shelters have been compromised
•Electricity and cell towers are no good
•Water supply has been contaminated
•9,000+ people are homeless and,
•Hundreds of people are still missing.....

Life in paradise as we know it, will never be the same. The Bahamian people are fighting for survival. THIS IS A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

In our time of need, we look toward the many friends, neighbors, classmates, and colleagues that we have made in Iowa to assist our efforts in any amount possible. We need you now MORE THAN EVER. Now is the time to be Iowa NICE.

Please help us.

Sincerely, 

Kuann Fawkes, Dangle Martin, Carlian Strachan, Burton Rodgers, Eboni Adderley, Tyler Cooper, Jahmai Fisher, W. Peter Deveaux-Issacs, and Neo Thurston Jr., for the resilient people of the Bahamas.

#BahamasStrong #IowafortheBahamas #BentnotBroken


Following the Aftermath:
CBS News Article: The Future of Hurricane Dorian Survivors remains Unknown 

Yahoo News: It's hell everywhere: Collecting Dorian's Dead in Ravaged Bahamas 

Time Article: The Bahamas After Hurricane Dorian 

Hurricane Dorian Science:
The Guardian: Everything is Destroyed 

Wired: Why Hurricane Dorian Defied Forecasts and Sank the Bahamas 

Missing People Search: https://dorianpeoplesearch.com

The Bahamas Association of Georgia, Inc. is a 501-C  organization uniting Bahamian citizens, descendants and friends of the Bahamas to continue expressing our standard of excellence through our culture, while educating, sharing and helping each other reach a common goal in our community.

How can a simple vacation visit to your daughter overseas  turn so debilitating, with long term implications??

On Saturday, July 9th, 2016, Ms. Sharon Williams the mother of Tanya Ferguson a very active board member of The Bahamas Association of Georgia, Inc.  and the Bahamian Community in Atlanta, GA was all adorn in her Bahamian colors, black shorts, aquamarine and gold top waving her Bahamian flag. Her daughter pulled-up at Grant Park in Atlanta, the place the Bahamas 43rd Independence Picnic was taking place and as they began to unload the vehicle, Ms. Williams was hit by an "out-of control" car. The force of the car threw her in the air such that she sustained extreme head and spine injuries after hitting the concrete pavement which resulted in her being in the ICU at a major hospital in Atlanta, GA for many days. She will be on a long road to recovery as she attempts to regain her stability.

Medical bills due to accidents are the #1 cause for bankruptcy.  It is very important that you help us assist this family in need as you continue to keep them in your prayers.