By: Nicholas Fox, Snapchat Manager
Venturing to a new country for education is probably one of the most desired things for young Bahamians. For many different reasons, of course. One may leave to gain a new form of independence, showing their parents that their teachings paid off, and their child is growing up to be responsible.
Leaving the small Bahamian islands for education may be the first time they’ve left the country without their parents or at all. This journey allows young individuals to make their conclusions of the new world around them, as well as coming to new conclusions about themselves.
The storm surge in Freeport took vehicles from one street and flung them along with debris into homes miles down the street.
As time goes on these young Bahamians quickly realize their admiration for their small islands, becoming homesick. Being homesick, coupled with the unfortunate events of natural disasters or loss of family, can cripple a student’s ability to assimilate into a new culture.
Hurricane Dorian, formed on August 24, 2019, from a small tropical wave grew to a category four hurricane in just seven days.
By September 1, 2019, Dorian had made landfall as a category five hurricane on Elbow Cay, Abaco. My father’s side of my family originated from Fox Town, Abaco but migrated to Sandy Point, Abaco after Hurricane Four decimated Fox Town.
Where streets stood were replaced with a sea in-land on the island of Freeport, Grand Bahama. The only hospital on the island experienced severe flooding and had to be evacuated after the storm had passed.
Personally, I’ve been fortunate enough to be out of the path of significant devastation when it comes to hurricanes; but watching my people suffer is one of the most heart-wrenching feelings I’ve experienced in my early adult life.
Besides the material possessions, these homes, and roads represent memories and safe havens for dreary students giving their best efforts. The pain I feel when my friends speak about their lost loved ones leaves me debilitated. I can’t imagine how they feel. One of my friends described the feeling of numbness as her cousin’s phone died mid-sentence waiting for rescue as the water rose to their chin in the attic. Those feelings haunted me in my sleep last night. I know I’m not alone, though.
Since this storm has started, twitter has been the hub connecting Bahamians with one another, international news services, the coast guard, the British navy, among others willing to help. I, among other young Bahamians, feel an overwhelming sense of guilt, knowing that our fellow citizens are experiencing catastrophe. The only thing we can do is stare impatiently at screens waiting for updates trying to connect as many people as we can.
It’s incredible to see followers on twitter getting the attention of professional news staff and coastguard personnel to coordinate rescue operations while getting attention to begin relief efforts. Without these efforts, I wouldn’t want to think of how much worse things could’ve been.
