On the 6th September 2017, category 5 hurricane Irma swept through the Caribbean islands changing many lives. My island of birth, Anguilla, was directly hit and destroyed by this hurricane and has since had to prepare for 2 additional storms in a 3 week period.

There has been many donations and supplies pouring into the island, however, feeling helpless in the situation, I wanted to start an initiative that was personal to me and I have decided to raise funds to the restoration of my former primary school in the local community which I was born and was raised.

As a former student of the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, my heart ached when I saw the roofless sections of the school buildings and the efforts of community members to sweep gallons of water out of the class rooms.

Since hurricane Irma, the damages to schools has been so severe, schools have been and still are closed island wide. The education board is swiftly making arrangements to reopening schools, however with the passing of hurricane Jose & Maria, efforts to re-roof and refurbish the MVPS school has been slowed down as they salvage what was left from hurricane Irma and boarded up for the following storms.

My aim, along with the help of my sister and cousin, is to contribute however big or small, to the restoration of the school. Whether it is rebuilding, refurnishing or supplying stationary for the classrooms. My intention is pass on all raised funds to the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) body as a contribution to overall restoration.

I have reached out to my local elected Government representative who is also the Minister of Education and will continue to be in touch with her to ensure the PTA body receives the raised funding.

Please support this cause and help my former primary school reopen its doors ready for the new academic year.

Many thanks.