Category: Crooked Island

Posted on

Looking forward – International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021

Earlier in December, The International Day ofPersons with Disabilities was observed. I was able to speak with the three individuals below about their views and aspirations.

I constantly remind myself that people with disabilities are equally people too, no more and no less.

Questions for Brenda Charles who has a physical disability

As a person with a disability, what is the significance of “the international day for persons with disabilities”?

To promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

Brenda Charles

As far as you are aware, what are some of the major obstacles people with physical disability face?

Living with a disability is not easy and it’s made more difficult when the public at large is not aware or conscious that we need to have equal access and opportunity. Not having access to affordable transportation with a wheelchair lift is a necessity for those of us in the disabled community. The other issue for us is affordable health care. Not having insurance coverage to be able to afford surgeries and medical equipment it’s a huge hinderance.

Have these obstacles worsen since the COVID–19 pandemic started?

Please explain. During the pandemic many businesses were not able to be open and financially it became a strain for the average person and even more for persons with disabilities; what’s more prices increased tremendously.

As we plan to come out of this COVID-19 pandemic, what are your hopes and dreams for your community and The Bahamas?

My hope and dreams for my community and the Bahamas are: To provide hot meals for persons with disabilities who may not be able to afford it, employment opportunities, improvements to our healthcare system, and to improve the school system for persons with disabilities.

Questions for Patrick Pierre who has a hearing disability

What should other people know about young people who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Hard to explain for other people know about young people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For me I’m as a hard of hearing it would be impossible for people to know if I’m hard of hearing or not. People will look at me they will think I seem like a normal person like other hearing people.

Please share how the COVID-19 pandemic affected their daily lives?

My experience during pandemic is difficult for me to understand people by reading lips, because of people wearing mask.

Questions for Juliece Mackey from Crooked Island who has is visually impaired

Article 9 of The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability “… seeks to enable persons with disabilities … to participate fully in all aspects of life and development. Are you able to participate fully in all aspects of life? If not then please explain some areas that you are not able to participate.

Because I am visually impaired I am unable to participate in some sports such as soccer and track & field. Sitting down listening to my fellow schoolmates participate in these sports made me feel left out. Some day I would hope that Crooked Island and The Bahamas will implement sport centres for disable children to become more active in their community.

Posted on

Communities helping Communities – it’s powerful

Today I wish to share with you a project that I along with some family members started in June of this year and recently completed. The Admiral Ferguson High School in Colonel Hill, Crooked Island was the beneficiary of the project.

As I begin, allow me to thank the project team members, stakeholders, donors and contributors for their support with this project. This was a fine example of Communities helping Communities.

Background to Project

Do you remember Hurricane Joaquin?

According to a 2016 National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report authored by Robbie Berg, “Joaquin was a category 4 hurricane … whose strong winds and storm surge devastated Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador …” It was also reported that “… Joaquin was the strongest October hurricane known to have affect [T]he Bahamas since 1866.

The said Tropical Cyclone Report reported that 70% of Crooked Island was flooded with at lease 5 feet of water and it was estimated that hurricane Joaquin caused more than B$ 60 million in damages on the affected islands.

During a conversation about teaching chess in Crooked Island, I was told about the high school not having books and was directed to speak with Michaela Thompson. I called Michaela and she confirmed that all of the reading books of the school were destroyed by Hurricane Joaquin and had not been replaced as yet. As a result of that conversation, the idea of the New Reading Books Project was born.

Genesis of the Project

So after consulting with some of my family members, we agreed to start a new reading book project to replace some of the destroyed books. The project started in the summer, June 2021. After consulting with the High School, its Parent Teacher’s Association, Librarians, Researchers and non-profit organisations directly connected with Crooked Island, we began our project called New Reading Books Project (Summer 2021). We fundraised for two months and then started to purchase books. Below are pictures of some of the new books we bought as the project progressed.

First inventory check of the new reading books (photo by Tashann Morally)
Second inventory check of the new reading books (photo by Hugh Morally)

Mini Project

During the New Reading Books Project, we found out about a student at the High School who was blind and did not have a cane that could be used to improve her mobility and independence. So we added a cane to the list of deliverables.

Completion of the Project

I am happy to report that the project is complete. The new reading books and cane were shipped by mailboat to Landrail Point, Crooked Island. The package arrived on Saturday 6 November and later transported to Admiral Ferguson High School, Colonel Hill and received by Ms. Lise-Mae Dolce, Principal of the High School.

From left to right: Ms. Shandera Paul and Ms. Lise-Mae Dolce with new reading books

A complete list of the reading books and genre donated to the High School is listed below.

Powered By EmbedPress

From left to right: Ms. Shandera Paul, mother of Juliece, and Juliece receiving the cane from Ms. Dolce

I am hopeful that present and future students of the Admiral Ferguson High School will use these books to continue improving their literacy skills that will help build their self esteem and overall quality of life.