The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS from two Family Islands affected by Hurricane Joaquin have been taken in by Blairwood Academy to continue their schooling as their homes and schools are rebuilt. 

The Tribune understands that eight students - five from Long Island and three from Long Cay - have been taken in amidst the ongoing repairs to their respective communities. Students from Crooked Island were also expected to be taken in by Blairwood, on Village Road, but opted to attend a school “out west”. 

Only the three students from Long Cay remain at Blairwood as the other four from Long Island have returned home. The Tribune understands that one of the remaining three students, a girl, is expected to return home “in the next couple of weeks”.

School officials said there is an “indefinite” return date for the other two students.

Nonetheless, Kim Kooskalis, Director of Blairwood Academy, said she was more than happy to provide a substitute educational environment for the displaced students, who were aged between three and 11. 

“I know that kids need structure and discipline, and all I wanted was a safe place for them to be able to come,” she said. “Obviously we still tried to educate them while they’re misplaced from their homes, but basically just to give them some love, support, and structure and discipline in their day.”

Further help came from Executive Printers, who agreed to print, free of charge, textbooks for the students to utilise during their stay at Blairwood.

“We did the books for them free because we believe they’re doing a good job and we help the community in any way we can,” Pierre Dupuch, founder of Executive Printers, said yesterday. “I don’t get excited about these things because I think it’s something natural that people should do. I supposed I was surprised to see that the tremendous outpouring of help that came from in The Bahamas when they had this hurricane down there, but I think it’s fantastic that the people can get together and work to help other people. This is what the world is all about.” 

Hurricane Joaquin ripped through the central and southern Bahamas on October 1 and 2. 

The slow moving storm left widespread damage on Crooked Island, Long Island, Long Cay, San Salvador, Rum Cay, and Acklins, with an estimated 836 homes destroyed in its wake. 

State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis has said that the damage caused by Hurricane Joaquin is now pegged at around $80m. He said the $80m would cover the cost of public and private infrastructure repairs.