Alan's House - Help Alan rebuild after Dorian

Please help us fund the costs of rebuilding a living space for long-time Bahamian teacher, Alan Vellacott, on Grand Bahama. His home was completely destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. Let’s help out this amazing man whose life has been dedicated to educating and inspiring countless children for almost 50 years!

From Alannah Vellacott , Alan’s daughter:

My Dad, Alan Vellacott moved to the Bahamas in 1977, answering an ad for a need of teachers in Bahamas. For more than 40 years, he has taught thousands Bahamian children in the subjects of Health Science & Biology, and coached basketball and other activities at schools on Cat Island, and at Grand Bahama’s Eight Mile Rock High School, St. Pauls High School, Hawskbill Junior High and St. Georges High.

My Dad bought his home in 1991, which was built in the ‘70’s and made of wood and stucco - not outfitted for hurricanes. The house endured one flood after another through many major hurricanes over the years, which significantly weakened the home’s structure. Hurricane Dorian’s 150+ MPH winds and storm surge for 24 hours unfortunately caused his already compromised home to be flooded with 10+ feet of water, rendering it uninhabitable. The windows all collapsed and popped out of the walls due to the force of water pressure both in and outside of the house. The inside of the house turned into a violent washing machine of debris, appliances, furniture and saturated keepsakes.  A massive hole was blown through the front door and front wall, allowing many of our things to pour out of our house.

Our first look at our house after Hurricane Dorian.

Despite our efforts in raising the furniture up a few feet on shipping pallets, the 10+foot surge swept away everything.

Alan standing in front of his destroyed home.

Alan's dining room, once filled with friends and family members during holiday meals and spontaneous get-togethers is now torn apart and unsalvageable.

We have concluded we must bulldoze the original house and fashion the remains into an apartment space for my father to live in independently.

Despite a terrible accident in 2012 while Alan was riding on his bike and was hit by a truck, he continued to work as a teacher while healing. Now experiencing reduced mobility, he cannot walk more than 10 meters without assistance or taking a break. It is imperative he has a sound home to live safely independently at this stage in his life.

Expenses:

Below is the breakdown of costs to build Alan’s apartment, minus shipping and labour costs. We’re adding a little extra on top to help cover those, too.

Demolition - $2000
Hurricane proof glass windows (2) and front door - $4000

· Appliances:
- Fridge - $1000
- Washer - $800
- Stove - $750
-  Installation - $100 each ($300)

· Relocate AC Unit x2 - $800

· Plumbing:
- Hot water heater - $800 + $100 (installation) = $900
- Run hot water to 'new kitchen' - $150
- Install sink and faucet - $250

· Masonry:
- Block up separation between old house and new - $500
- Install new windows & doors - $1000
- Demolish utility room and unfinished bathroom - $500
- Construct half-wall for bar between kitchen & living space: $500

· Furniture: $2000

· Painting/Plastering - $3000

TOTAL:  $18,950

We’d love to make this possible and appreciate your support more than words can express!

Alan rinsing mud from keepsakes and sorting what can be salvaged.