Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2017 | Page 239
All of that said, Iris, Liz and Richard, as well as
Frida and Pink are all ok. We were all there and
we all survived. All of our employees have been
accounted for and we are doing all that we can to
assist them and their families. We ourselves, Liz
and Richard, are now in Guadeloupe organising
relief efforts. Richard is a pilot and knows a lot of
other pilots in St. Francois, Guadeloupe. Everyone is
working around the clock to get relief to the island.
We've been here for one week and have already sent
10 plane loads of food and supplies into Dominica,
totalling around 5,000 pounds. We’ve sent a
donated generator for the ham (amateur radio)
operators, so that they can continue to assist people
all over the island with evacuations and medical
needs. We’ve sent spear guns for the Kalinago Chief.
We’ve sent seeds all over so that everyone can start
re-planting. There will be no fruits and vegetables
for a long time to come. Hard to imagine, as this
was one of the most unique things about living in
Dominica. We’ve sent chainsaws so people can start
clearing their fallen trees. We’re also sending daily
flights of food and basic needs supplies. In short,
we’re flying as fast as we can purchase the goods.
One challenge here is that many supplies have gone
to St. Martin for the relief efforts since Irma struck
them.
Iris has decided to stay on the island. She will begin
traveling around to meet other survivors, connect,
listen to their stories, and write a book. She is ok.
She has a dry room at Cocoa and a family from
Wotten Waven that lost their entire home is staying
with her in another dry room. They are helping each
other and doing their best to help others as well.
We have set up a crowdfunding site to help us
pay for the expenses for the relief. This is not yet a
rebuilding effort, but a RELIEF EFFORT. People still
need food and water and basic supplies. We have
to pay for plane rentals, fuel, pilots, the supplies and
food itself, etc. We’ve taken on a lot, but we need all
the help we can get. If you have the time and want
to help in some way, here is the link to the site we’ve
set up:
https://www.youcaring.com/dominica-959745
As of today, we’ve spent almost all of what we’ve
raised already. We would love to continue helping,
but can’t do it alone. If you have already seen the
site and have already donated, we send a HUGE
THANK YOU. Everyone thanks you. Dominicans
are a resilient people, determined and not easily
defeated. We remain hopeful for its recovery.
Thank you for listening and for your support during
this very challenging time.
Kindest regards,
Liz and Richard
www.cocoacottages.com
+1 (310) 600-5274 USA cell/WhatsApp, Liz & Richard.
+1 (767) 276-2920 Dominica cell/WhatsApp, Iris.