A Day in the Life on Jost van Dyke

Post Irmaria

By Alexandra SmythPublished 6 years ago • 2 min read

Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke

'Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which we rebuild our life again.'

Looking back, some of my fondest memories have been in the British Virgin Islands at Soggy Dollar Bar in White Bay. Sitting underneath the big palm trees in a hammock staring out at the clear, blue Caribbean Sea while enjoying a 'Nilla Killa. Yesterday wasn't one of those days; it was different. I have grown close to many in the Jost community over the past seven years as their close-by neighbor in St. Thomas. It's easy to get to know 1/3 of the island when there is only a population of 300 people.

Life has drastically changed for the remaining residents living on Jost van Dyke post-Hurricane Irma and Maria. Four months later, Angelica, who used to manage the villas behind Soggy Dollar Bar, shares a small room with her four young children and husband while her employers rebuild The Sandcastle Inn, which has been her family's main source of income. Despite this current situation, they are full of hope and smiles. They will not turn their back on the recovery efforts in their community. Strength and determination blazed from their eyes into mine.

'The sun is a daily reminder that we can rise again from the darkness and shine our own light.'

Angelica's brother, who lived next door, lost his home as well. Braeden, 18, became unexpectedly disabled last year due to a cyst that formed and caused significant damage to his spinal cord. He is eager to be active again and hopes to recover through physical therapy.

'I will not give up because I know this is a fight I can win.'

His previous home was easily accessible to the clinic. Now, he is staying in a damaged home with a partial roof farther from the clinic. We want to help Braedan get back on track with his regular physical therapy sessions.

Perfect Heart, Jost van Dyke's Preservation Society, Love for Love City Foundation, and Team River Runners are working in collaboration to rebuild damaged homes on Jost van Dyke. We are currently raising money to help our teams prepare the new sites for Braeden and Angelica's family, purchase supplies, and transport these tools and supplies.

Team River Runners will have local veterans participate in the rebuilding project that will be guided by skilled contractors. Our teams will rebuild these homes in safer areas, out of the path of destruction, with stronger material and pitched roofs to handle future storms.

Remains of Braeden's Previous Home

Braeden loves learning new subjects and was the valedictorian of his class. He is looking forward to settling his new home which will be closer to the clinic.