Miami, Florida - Under the Distinguished Patronage of the Consul General of The Bahamas, Mr. Ricardo Treco,along with Bishop Victor T. Curry, New Birth Baptist Church, New Beginning Church, AM1490 WMBM and the National Association of The Bahamas is presenting, ‘Blessings for The Bahamas.’ An event of blessings and celebrations with music, dance and Junkanoo culture are scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th, 2015 at New Birth Baptist Church, 2300 NW 135th Street, Miami, FL 33167, phone: 305-685-3700. This is a Bahamas Hurricane Relief event for the southern Islands of The Bahamas.
Hurricane Joaquin pounded over the southern islands of The Bahamas for 2 ½ days destroying 90% of the homes, businesses and infrastructure on seven islands, Cat, Crooked, Long, San Salvador, Mayaguana, Ragged and Acklins Island and Rum Cay. Rain left water settled with sewage and rotting corpses of dead animals. Many people huddled in three feet or more of water and while clinging to life as the roof of their homes were blown away. Miraculously, there were no casualties in this catastrophic event. However, as homes are uninhabitable and many of the residents of these islands are elderly, most of the 6,000 residents have been evacuated to Exuma or to the capital, New Providence.
Due to the complex geographical spread, some islands were more vulnerable than others and complete destruction to the infrastructure of this archipelago of islands ensued. Hurricane relief efforts to rebuild will take years and millions of dollars.
Hurricane Joaquin is also being blamed for the disappearance of a cargo ship ‘El Faro’ carrying 33 people. Although the ship planned to avoid Hurricane Joaquin its main propulsion failed sending the crew into the destructive storm.
Consul General Treco said, “we are the closest neighbors and sister cities to South Florida. The sooner and stronger we make the Bahamas’ economy, the sooner we will spend in South Florida. He noted that YTD, The Bahamas has spent $798.6 million in Miami alone. This has to be a U.S. and Bahamas collaboration.
Friends of The Bahamas, Bahamians and the general public are invited to attend. The event is FREE, however, guests are encouraged to make a financial contribution to these relief efforts. Anyone who is unable to attend, may contribute by making checks payable to the Bahamas Consulate, noting Blessings Hurricane Joaquin Relief.
