The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

As you know, just over three weeks ago, one of the most powerful hurricanes in Bahamian history unleashed its deadly force on the Islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. In Hurricane Dorian’s wake, it is estimated that over 70,000 people have been displaced. Amongst the displaced have been the children from the home in Grand Bahama. A total of twenty-three (23) children have been added to our Ranfurly Family. A small but important number by comparison. These children are the most vulnerable of the vulnerable.

The capacity of Ranfurly has more than doubled overnight. To this end, we made an initial appeal to the general public for support for basic needs: trauma counsellors, food, water, personal hygiene toiletries, bedding, medication, clothing, art supplies for therapy, cleaning supplies, volunteers to supplement the staff and loving arms to comfort children. The outpouring of love has been incredible. It far surpassed anything that we could have ever imagined.

The response was such that we were able to immediately think about secondary needs – education (so many children from GB were concerned about the interruption in their schooling); tutoring, long-term counselling, transportation, food and petrol coupons, medical needs and filling the needs of the home, that had swollen in capacity overnight.

We are grateful for those who came forward and have helped us in: nursing, feeding (all the restaurants/emergency food kitchens that fed us) outsourcing of the additional laundry needs, homework assistance, bedtime story readers, volunteer drivers, life coaches, tutors, plumbers, electricians, refrigeration, air-conditioning men, volunteers that have endlessly answered the phones, greeted visitors, sorted, cleaned, packed storage cupboards, delivered, picked up, carried, fed, watered, and just generally shown us so much care. The list is endless.

Our third, extended wish list has now been issued. This list is helping us to sustain ourselves during the duration of this time. Additional caregivers, drivers, cleaners, school fees, counselling fees, tutoring fees, medicine for serious diseases, BPL bills, healthy food items, school lunch fees, laptops for the BGCSE students, textbooks, cupboards/shelving and additional dorm space. Even as we write, the offers and expression of assistance are coming in from all over the world.

Our hearts are big, and our Home is family. Your assistance ensures that we can continue to uphold our end of the situation. As the only private, non-affiliated Home in the Bahamas, the responsibility lies with the board of directors to provide all of the needs of the Home. We are ALL volunteers. The Ranfurly Homes for Children is not a business. It is completely non-profit with full accountability and transparency. Your help helps us to help these beautiful children. At Ranfurly, they are protected, loved, validated and supported as best as we can.

We need your continued support and are deeply grateful for the donations that we have already received (please be patient as we get our thank you letters out) and any additional donations of money, time or talent that you care to make.

Please feel free to contact us at any time and with any questions.

RANFURLY HOMES FOR CHILDREN

Nassau

September 25, 2019