Eleuthera, Bahamas
In the spring of 2000 & 2003 Make A Difference organized alternative spring break projects for college students to James Cistern on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Eleuthera sustained heavy damages from Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, when winds of 155 mph tore the roofs off most houses. The hurricane also damaged several seaside resorts and some never reopened. Since tourism accounts for 40 percent of the economy of the Bahamas, workers that staff the resorts lost their jobs and could not afford to repair their storm-damaged homes. As the volunteers secured homes against wind and rain, families in James Cistern shared their modest resources and rich good will. Women took turns cooking communal meals and school children appeared after classes to lend their small hands to the projects. In all, the volunteers had put roofs between the rain and 15 families.