Mount Allison offers support to Bahamian students worried about family affected by Hurricane Dorian
With the devastating news of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas, the Mount Allison University community is reaching out to assist its students from the Caribbean community whose families have been affected by this natural disaster.
Mount Allison has 15 Bahamian students on campus and is home to the Bahamian student society and the Islanders Society, made up of students from Afro-Caribbean countries, Bermuda, and allies.
Sertara Wilkinson is a fourth-year Biology and Drama student from the Bahamas. While her immediate family is safe, she says the last few days, watching the devastation in her home nation from the category five storm, have been really hard.
“The Bahamas is a small nation, we all have a connection. Not all islands have been directly hit by the hurricane but the entire region has been affected. There are some areas that are completely destroyed.” says Wilkinson. “Working to raise awareness and funds on campus for relief efforts is the least I can do.”
The Islanders Society is working with several groups on campus to organize events and fund raising efforts for Hurricane relief. These include a performance in partnership with the University’s Improv team, “Presents: The Improv” on October 3 where 50 per cent of proceeds will be donated to the Bahamas as well as plans for a campus-wide clothing drive. Follow the Islanders Society on Instagram (@IslanderssocietyMtA) for event details and updates.
“The Mount Allison community is a close-knit one, we look out for each other,” says Kim Meade, Mount Allison’s Vice-President, International and Student Affairs. “We want to offer support to our Bahamian students and let them know we are thinking about them and their families and friends affected by Hurricane Dorian.”
Students affected by the hurricane are encouraged to connect with the University’s International Centre for support.
Anyone interested in donating to support those affected by Hurricane Dorian should visit the official Island of the Bahamas Hurricane Relief website at bahamas.com/relief or the Canadian Red Cross redcross.ca.
