Haynes Family: Hurricane Beryl Relief - home rebuild fund.

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$2,530 raised of $30K CAD

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Haynes Family: Hurricane Beryl Relief - home rebuild fund.

Agustin Haynes is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hello to the community to whom this reaches,

My name is Agustin Haynes, devoted father of 3 beautiful girls & partner to my wonderful teammate in this thing called life. I am also one of 12 siblings, all native to Saint Vincent & the Grenadines where we were raised by our loving and supportive parents who have been married for over 40 years.

Although as we grew older and some of us immigrated to Canada to lead our own lives, we always stayed connected by our heartstrings & of course, came together in times of need to help in anyway we can, giving what little we have in support.

It is with a heavy heart, a significant amount of fear & uncertainty, I am sharing my story. A story of destruction and loss. You may have already heard about it, seen the images and videos on social media, but to be on the outside looking in, is much different than living the reality of the devastation of Hurricane Beryl.

Do you remember Hurricane Katrina?

Where were you in 2005 when the devastation of the city of New Orleans was on every news channel across the world?

Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a category 5 Hurricane in New Orleans, whose population at the time was 454,845 souls.

On Monday July 1st 2024, Hurricane Beryl the first of its kind this year, made landfall as a category 4 hurricane with winds reaching 150mph.

Tearing through the Windward Islands with great efficiency completely flattened everything in its path. All the Island that were impacted are much much smaller than New Orleans by comparison.

For perspective on the Islands destroyed by Beryl:

Grenada - 126,893 souls

Carriacou - 6000 souls

Petit Martinique - 600 souls

UNION ISLAND - 3000 souls

Mayreau Island - 271 souls

Canouan - 1700 souls

Mustique - 500 souls

Bequia - 5300 souls

St. Vincent - 103,948 souls

My mother, Mrs Patricia Pierre, age 58 moved to St-Vincent & the Grenadines and settled on Union Island as a teenager. My father Mr. Adolphus Pierre, age 70, lived on Saint-Vincent island. My father, from a young boy, grew up in a time where working to survive, was a much greater priority than attending school.

When they met, my dad was a sailor, earning a living as a cook. Shortly after starting a family with my mom he decided it was better to settle in one place together & began learning a new trade on Union Island. He found his calling in Carpentry and Masonry, and has contributed his skills by helping erect many buildings/homes throughout St.Vincent and the Grenadines over the last 50 plus years.

In 1996, when I was living with my parents and attending high school on union Island, my dad achieved a milestone, when he was able to obtain a small piece of land and finally able to start building our "forever home".

It was a very modest property, boasting 3 small bedrooms, a living room, a tiny kitchen and a small balcony at the front of the house. It took my dad 2 yrs of clawing and scrapping of every piece of material he can afford to make our home livable. Most of the work was done by himself, with my siblings and I helping with the manual labour, of course. Many friends and family members pitched in where they can, and my father poured everything he had into it.

In a matter of minutes Hurricane Beryl swept through Union Island which was in the path of the eye of the storm. Destroying 90% of the buildings on the Island & unfortunately also destroying our childhood home my father build with his bare hands.

At the time my mom was on Saint-Vincent island visiting my siblings and was not with my father as this hurricane passed. It took our family almost a week to reunite and at least be together.

Hospitals, Schools, Clinics, Police stations were also not spared. By the grace of God my mom and dad are safe and uninjured but they have lost everything. The destruction of the island have left my parents along with their whole community feeling defeated and helpless.

There is no fresh water.
There is no food.
Forget about medicine... They have none.
Most of the community does not even have clothing.

NOW, we need help to rebuild. They have nothing and we need help. 100% of the proceeds will go into rebuilding their home. Any additional funds would go towards rebuilding the community. I am starting this fundraiser because the financial need is very dire. Every dollar will help & be used in good faith.

If you cannot donate please use the link to spread the word and help our story reach more people & communities.

Thank you for your help in advance.

Here are some videos of the destruction caused & some pictures of my beloved parents & siblings as well as the before / after of our home.