The Skutt (Omaha, NE) IMPACT team’s second day in Abaco was filled with impactful encounters. Lizzie and Charlotte share their experiences, from assisting with home repairs and learning about the lasting effects of Hurricane Dorian, to connecting with local high school girls through volleyball. Their day highlighted the stark differences in realities, leaving them with a deeper appreciation for the blessings in their lives.
Today, we met some lovely ladies who were both very kind and welcoming. Immediately, they welcomed us into their homes. One lady in particular, Ms. Tamara, was very proud to show us her home. It was quite eye-opening because it was small compared to the houses we are used to. She was so grateful for all that she had, which, to us, seemed like so little.
We were struck by the reality that numerous Bahamians on the island, including those we met, have resided in unfinished houses for the past three years. While the basic structure of these homes was completed within two years of Hurricane Dorian, economic hardships—rising costs and limited resources—have prevented further progress. This situation, a direct consequence of the hurricane’s long-term impact, underscored their lack of alternative housing. Today made us realize that we are very blessed to not have to worry about having a safe place to stay.
In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to share our love of volleyball with some high school girls in Abaco. Hearing their stories and their different backgrounds was interesting to see the differences between our teenage lives and theirs. It was so evident how much these girls love volleyball. They reminded us that we have amazing privileges to play our sport. In Abaco, their volleyball is different from ours; they don’t have as many resources like courts, coaches, etc.
We also learned about the girls’ school lives and understand how different it is to go to school in Abaco versus the States. One girl in particular mentioned how she has to take two ferries and a bus everyday just to get to school. As opposed to us, we can simply drive a car and be at school fast. Overall, it helped us realize how blessed we are.
BTW Charlotte is very proud to say she has tan lines… Lizzie however is still very pale 🙁
— Charlotte and Lizzie
