I wish to thank the courageous children of Virgin Gorda for sharing their incredible stories of strength and faith. My sincerest thanks to those parents and guardians who allowed the children to participate in this book. I pray that they and the children will find solace in having revealed their painful ordeals. I appreciate the kind help from those Principals who assisted in obtaining the children’s photos, Kimberly George, Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Norma Creque, Robinson O’Neal Primary School, Jan Morash, Valley Day School, Laura Fox, Ciboney Centre for Excellence and from Mr. Nice Guy. Chez Bamboo Restaurant shared cake and ice cream and a joyful setting for interviews. Special thanks to Chris Yates whose tireless efforts helped rebuild Leverick Bay and North Sound. And to my mentor and friend, Professor Norbert Artzt, for his words of wisdom and my daughter, Lorri Michelle Smith, a psychologist who recommended this endeavour.
Copyright White Heron Press, 2020
Copyright @2020 Jacky Silvers for the Text
Copyright @2020 Jacky Silvers for the Photographs
First Printing 2020
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER ISBN: 978-0-578-51044-6
SILVERS, JACKY, 1938
Hurricane Irma, 2017
Courage Faith Love
Written by the Children of Virgin Gorda
Children’s art on inside covers
Cover and Design by Greg W. Smith
Summary: Hurricane Irma, the historic Atlantic storm of 2017, nearly destroyed Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. Little was left of the island, yet the children’s stories reveal their resilience and the power of prayer that sustained them.
1. HURRICANE IRMA 2017 2. Caribbean 3. Children
4. Survival 5. Faith 6. Non-fiction