Forward, upward, onward, together

Bahamian student at Holland College speaks with optimism at fundraiser to help students affected by hurricane Dorian

Kearah Laing watched the news and social media, helpless as hurricane Dorian barrelled toward her family in Freeport, Grand Bahama, while she was safe in P.E.I.

It was the first time in her life she wasn’t home to help prepare and, with fewer than 24 hours before the storm was due to hit, she wanted nothing more than to be there.

That September night, she stayed on the phone with her parents as much as Mother Nature would allow, she said in the transcript of a speech submitted to the Guardian.

“I just needed to hear them, and that gave me a sense of peace.”

Laing, who is one of 164 Bahamian students at Holland College affected by Dorian, gave her speech to a sold-out crowd during the Students Helping Students fundraiser, hosted by Holland College on Jan. 31.

Jennifer Lawton, a tourism and travel management instructor at the college, initiated the idea as a project for her events co-ordinator class and went on to include students from culinary, international hospitality and another tourism and travel management class.

In an interview prior to the fundraiser, Lawton said the tragedy affected so many students at Holland College that instructors wanted to come together to help, as well as provide a learning opportunity.

“I think that most of us here at Holland College,” she paused and took a slow, deep breath as she looked at a transcript of Laing's speech, “have done and would do what they can, so...”

She trailed off. Then apologizing, as her eyes filled, she explained Laing’s story.

The weekend of the hurricane, Laing had been able to maintain contact with her family until the water was ankle deep in her home in Freeport. However, at that time, she lost all connection to family group chats.

When that happened, she began to fill with hopelessness.

She wept.

The next day, she got a text from her sister saying they were OK and not to panic.

“The only thing I did after reading the text message was panic.," she said in her speech.

The next day, Laing was able to talk with her parents, and the true nightmare began as she first heard of the destruction of her family’s homes and news of those who died.

Altogether, Laing lost 21 members of her family to the hurricane.

“In life, material things can be replaced, but once a life is lost there’s no coming back or replacing that.”

In her speech, Laing thanked Holland College for how it addressed the situation, listening and providing support where it could and holding a church service in Cornwall.

Lawton hoped the event would raise $15,000 between ticket sales for a three-course Bahamian-inspired meal, a silent auction and a 50/50 draw with money going to students at the college for help with tuition, rent, groceries or anything else they need.

She welcomes those who wish to donate to reach out to her through email at jjlawton@hollandcollege.com or by phone at 902-894-6814.

Laing closed her speech with optimism, quoting the Bahamian motto.

“Forward, Upward, Onward, Together.”