Fun In The Abacos

It’s not always fun and games here in the Bahamas. There are always opportunities to involve ourselves in a variety of community projects, and most of us take advantage and lend a hand when needed.

Every Child Counts (ECC) has been a popular project for members of the Royal Marsh Harbour Yacht Club. The school operates solely on donations and serves the children from several surrounding cays that require a special education approach. The students present a variety of learning opportunities and the limited staff seeks assistance from trained volunteers to deliver a quality educational experience.

During the holiday break, members of our yacht club jumped in to create a sorely needed classroom. The request came at a time when we still had some knowledgeable and skilled workers lounging about during the holidays.

A request was broadcast over the RMHYC net one morning, and by noon fifteen volunteers showed up at the school to lend a hand. Many of them, including yours truly, were inexperienced, but with the help of a few carpentry specialists, the group charged on. By four PM, there were four walls, a ceiling complete with power outlets and lighting. The following day, the sheetrock received another coat of mud, and after drying, the walls were ready for painting.

The project involved a team of lawyers, insurance agents, doctors and a variety of business owners with a myriad of backgrounds. Our foreman has built cabinets and was known for building staircases in the homes of the rich and famous, including Steven Spielberg. Despite a lack of experience, the project was finished on time, and in an acceptable fashion.

That is what it is like down here. We enjoy the sun, the water and the beach, but give us a project where we can lend a hand, and we will be there.