By Khadn Adderley
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After the devastating blow to the two Northern Islands of The Bahamas, students have planned donation relief efforts to support their country.
On Sunday, September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian made landfall in The Bahamas, carrying force winds as high as 242 mph and eventually becoming stationary over the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco.
“I was tracking the hurricane, I couldn’t sleep, obviously,” Allison Barnett, a senior Mechanical Engineering student said. “But I had a classmate, who within 7 hours of the hurricane had to evacuate to the roof of her apartment.”
Between 50-60 students from The Bahamas currently attend the University of Arkansas. These students took a huge initiative and planned relief efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Dorian.
“This drive will help to relieve some stress from me,” Leandra Johnson, Coordinator of the Donation Drive said. “I was up night after night watching the hurricane, but even afterwards I still have some insomnia.”
Few of the items that can be donated are canned goods, non-perishable items, bottled water, and school supplies.
“We’ve always found a way to bounce back from these catastrophic hurricanes,” Barnett said. “The island is far from complete recovery but hopefully these donations will show signs progress in future.”
Persons are advised to drop off their items at the International Student Organization in Holcombe Hall or at the HPER Doors 1 and 3.