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      For Grenadians the passage of Hurricane Ivan meant the destruction or damage of houses; devastation of agricultural fields; the loss of jobs in all sectors; the disruption of school and the displacement of families. Conscious of the far reaching impact of Hurricane Ivan, Belmont Estate has formed a non-profitable charitable organisation  called Hearts and Hands of Grenada Inc. to assist needy persons rebuild their lives. The charity is based in an agricultural belt where many of the residents are farmers who in addition to having incurred losses to their homes have also lost hundreds of acres of cocoa, nutmegs, bananas and fruits and vegetables, agricultural equipment and inputs as well as access to their lands.
     A macro socio-economic assessment of the impact of Hurricane Ivan on Grenada estimates damages in the region of 2.4 billion East Caribbean dollars (approximately US$900 million). Direct damages at 90% were the most important component of overall losses, with a high concentration in the housing sector. A breakdown of the level of damages in the different sectors shows that shows the housing sector  with a loss of $EC 1.4 billion (US$500 million); tourism, EC$406 million(US$149 million); education, EC$196 million (US$72 million); and agriculture, EC$100 million (US$36 million). Prior to the disaster the economy was expected to grow at a rate of 5.7% in 2004. Contraction of -1.4% is now predicted as a result of the effects of  the hurricane. No growth is expected in 2005 as a result of loss of productive sectors. 
    Several individuals and regional and international organisations have come to the assistance of the island through the donation of food and emergency supplies. And while a sense of normalcy is slowly creeping back, there is still a great need as there are still a large number of families, many of whom includes the elderly and children, who still without homes and are in need of food, clothing, personal care items, furniture and household appliances.
    Hearts and Hands believes that one of the main priorities in getting the island back to its pre -Ivan state  is to help improve the living conditions of the less fortunate. In most cases these families not only have no homes, ( the government estimates that at least 50% of the population is homeless) but they have also have no earning capacity as most have lost their jobs.
  As a rural based organisation, Hearts and Hands will concentrate its efforts on the neediest families in the rural areas. On their behalf  Hearts and Hands solicits your assistance in whatever way that you can - food, clothing, cash, building supplies, seeds, agricultural tools to include chain saws, bow saws, boots, raincoats, etc., - in whatever quantities that you can. Every donation received will be given to persons and families in need.
All administrative costs of  the charity will be borne by Belmont Estate and its staff who volunteer  for the charity.  The website will be updated with the status of the donations and their disbursement. Additionally, donors will receive a report as to how their gifts were distributed.
  The people of Grenada desperately need your assistance to help get through this difficult period of our lives and in rebuilding our beautiful island paradise. We look forward to your kind and generous donations as they definitely make a difference in the lives of our people.  Every contribution counts. 
We whole heartedly thank you for your interest and support and as we together to make a difference.

In the US items can be shipped through:
Rich and Rich Inc;
1971 North East 147th Lane, North Miami, Florida  33181
Cell: 305-934-3664; Work: 305-949 9599 ; Fax: 305-949-0557
Contact: Paul Coard

To:

Funds can sent to the following account:

Remember  even the smallest item can help a friend!

For more information on the devastation caused by Ivan, the latest news and photos please visit www.grenadaexplorer.net.