Island Devastation Affects our Own Elvis Stedman

Tour Guide, Elvis Stedman

I'm writing this on behalf of Elvis Stedman, a contributor to this publication and one of the many people who's normal life, and livihood, has been stripped away by Hurricane Maria.

Elvis is a tour operator who's dedicated to helping scientists and nature lovers discover the beautiful natural wonders of Dominca, the most beautiful of the Caribbean islands, and the first to have been hit by the devastating 160 mph winds of Maria.

The final loss of life hasn't been determined... as of the last time I talked to Elvis, he, and his grandparents, had survived the storm, though they were left with just the clothes they were wearing when the storm hit and several family members were "lost" ...though I am unclear as to whether that just means they have not been located.

But while Elvis is alive and OK, just a few scratches, the island is not. There has been a complete loss of communication to most of the island, there is no food or water, and public and government buildings have been damaged as badly as private homes, so there is literally no place for many to shelter at all.

Dominca is considered a paradise for ecotourists... the pristine waterfalls, rain forests, diving and hiking opportunities are matched only by the diverse flora and fauna... which has been Elvis's life. With a background in biology and botany, Elvis is a naturalist who has guided university students and scientists, as well as just regular folk, like you and I, around his island home. ​

But that is over for now. A CNN crew who flew over Dominica reported: “Nearly every tree was touched – thousands snapped and strewn across the landscape – and the island was stripped of vegetation. The rainforests appear to have vanished."

“The breadth of the destruction is staggering – intact or untouched homes are hard to find amid the chaos.”

Besides a lack of food and water, food crops have been destroyed, food animals have died and been swept away and some communities, having only generators or car batteries as a source of power, are completely cut off. Because roads are impassable, relief teams have been dropping personnel, with satellite phones, into the most remote areas to coordinate supply drops.

Fortunately, nature is resilient, she will heal herself, and offer up her bounty again more quickly than man can rebuild his abodes. In the meantime, though, Elvis, his family and neighbors are desperate for the basics. 

How can you help?  

There are several ways you can donate.... this is one of the best, most direct, relief efforts for Dominica... www.darda.org/hurricane-maria-relief.html
​

AND, if you have ever wanted the opportunity to DIRECTLY impact someones life, you can donate to a GO Fund me account I have set up for Elvis and his family here...
  
Donate directly to Elvis and his family...
https://www.gofundme.com/ElvisStedman

NOTE: Mail will not be back in service until next month. As soon as it is, I will post an shipping address for Elvis and you will be able to buy supplies and ship directly to him as well.

​Want UPDATES? I'll let you know when I have that info if you want to give me your email address here... ​

GREAT NEWS! 

As of October 23rd, we are almost halfway to our goal of $5000 for Elvis and his family.

Additionally, another friend has an additional fundraiser that has brought in another $500.

This is good news for Elvis and will help him to rebuild and to replace the possesions he lost in the storm.

Regular mail delivery should be restored soon as well, then we can send some supplies and clothing.