Barbuda Resilience Fund

Dear supporters and friends of Barbuda's recovery efforts,

The International Community Foundation is pleased to share that, as you most likely already know, Barbuda is open for business! Since we last reported, several more local businesses have come back online and new ones are emerging. Barbudan made and led projects are well underway and include a focus on youth development, clean water access, food security, home repair and reconstruction, historical preservation, and small business development. In additon to the ten community led projects that we have supported over the last 6 months, two new nonprofits have emerged, having recently recieved their chraitable status.

Both BarbudanGo and the BE Foundation are committed to strengthening Barbuda and it's people.The International Community Foundation is committe to helping build the capacity of these two new nonprofits. They provide the ability to serve as amplifiers of local acheivement and can provide the local community with both technical and adaptive suppport. Young Barbudans are stepping into their own and are creating exciting possibilites for their Carribean Island. If you have not been to Barbuda recently, you should go back. And if you have never been before, you must go. ICF will be returing there this spring to meet with community leaders and report on the progrss of the projects. We invite you to join us!     

Here are the 10 community made and led projects that, with your help, the International Community Foundation is supporting:

BarbudanGO Water Harvesting Initiative (20k). Provides 400-gallon water tanks, spouting systems, and fittings to Barbudan households to increase their access to potable water.          

BE Foundation's Organic Farming Project (20k). Introduces organic farming principles and food waste management systems to youth alongside traditional produce farmers. Barbudans will "house" community gardens in their homes using a research-based, community-led framework designed by students. 

Media Apprenticeship Program (15k). Trains young Barbudans in the area of broadcasting with the objective of documenting local stories, histories, experiences of Hurricane Irma, and restarting local news updates. 

Barbuda Research Complex - Historic Well Water Restoration and Resilience (20k). Restores historic wells to increase resilience of the local community against natural disasters. 

Youth Afterschool Center (25k). Provides 6 afterschool enrichment programs to 50 children below the age of 16 (Mon-Sat). 

Bonnie Floyd Ministries - Interior Home Reconstruction (20k). Reconstructs the interior of homes that were deeply damaged by the hurricane. 

Fish N' Fins Ocean Camp  (15k). A 5-day summer camp for 60 Barbudan youth that involves ocean-themed games, swim lessons, snorkeling, marine ecology lectures, and 'edVenture day'. 

Rebuild Barbuda - Roof Repair for the Elderly (20k). Repairs roofs of the most vulnerable residents in Barbuda, as many elders have been displaced as a result of Hurricane Irma.

Barbudaful.net - Website Update and Maintenance (7k). Maintains the only website focused on Barbuda with an average of 21k unique views per year. 

Community Charitable Ministry- Small Business Grants Program (20k). Helps to rebuild local economy through 20 small businesses grants for rebuilding and recovery.

Links:

• Barbudaful -the only website with information just about Barbuda
• BarbudanGO - developing local community. inspiring growth.
• BE Foundation - restoring and empowering the community

September 2017 - the Caribbean island of Barbuda was hit by Hurricane Irma which ravaged the island with 185mph winds, 15 foot waves, and widespread flooding. The entire population of Barbuda was displaced as nearly all of their homes and infrastructure were destroyed. Emergency rebuilding and recovery efforts have been underway and to date over $800,000 from the Barbuda Resilience Fund at the International Community Foundation has been invested in home reconstruction and repair, transportation, education, and job creation.

Most recently, ICF is thrilled to be working with local leadership to provide the technical and resource support needed for oversight, management, and amplification of community led projects. Our goal is to strengthen local nonprofits and support community leaders working on the ground for the long-term benefit of Barbuda and its people. The below projects range in size and focus. They are all powerful demonstrations of how community leads! 

Abundant Life Ministries Media Apprenticeship Program will train young Barbudans in the area of broadcasting with the objective of documenting local stories/histories,  experiences of Hurricane Irma, restarting the local "News Update" and other current affairs programs.

Barbudaful.netWebsite Update and Maintenance will support the only website focused on Barbuda with an average of 21k unique views per year. 

BarbudanGO Water Harvesting Initiative provides 400-gallon water tanks, spouting systems, and fittings to households to increase access to potable water.

Be Foundation’s Living Off Our Land is an Organic Farming Community Project that introduces organic farming principles and food waste management systems to youth alongside traditional produce farmers. Over 50 Barbudans will "house" community gardens in their homes, using concepts designed through a research-based, grassroots/community-led framework.

Bonnie Floyd Ministries Interior Reconstruction Project will reconstruct the interior of nine homes for Barbudans together with foreign volunteer and local building crews.  

Fish N' Fins Inc. Ocean Camp on Barbuda is a 5-day summer camp for a total of 30 Barbudan youth that involves ocean-themed games, swim lessons, snorkeling, marine ecology lectures, and 'edVenture days'.

The People's Church Small Business Grants Program will help strengthen the local economy with micro-grants to 20 small businesses for recovery and rebuilding efforts.   

Barbuda Research Complex Historic Wells Water Restoration and Resilience Program restores historic wells to increase resilience of the local community against natural disasters. Nine wells will be restored as backup water sources in three phases.

Rebuild Barbuda Roof Repair for the Elderly repairs the roofs of the most vulnerable residents in Barbuda who have been displaced as a result of Hurricane Irma.  

MEPA Trust Youth Afterschool Center provides afterschool enrichment programs to 50 children below the age of 16 (Mon-Sat).

Join us as we continue to raise funding for these important community efforts.

Adelante Barbuda! 

Links:

• Global Giving - Give to Barbuda!