The Dart Foundation flew to the heart of the National Recovery Fund last week with the announcement of a $500,000 donation, at a special reception at Government House. Members of the Fund (back) Cynthia Arie, Director of Marketing, Conor O'Dea, Vice Chairman, Naul Bodden, Trustee, Andreas Ugland and Trustee, Dr Mark Laskin, Executive Director as well as (Front) Mariko Jack and H.E. the Governor Stuart Jack, Chairman of the Fund and Huw Moses, were on hand to hear the good news.

A representative of the Dart Foundation, Ariane Dart, made this announcement at the reception honouring the donors and supporters of the National Recovery Fund at the Governor’s House on 22 March.

According to the Executive Director of the National Recovery Fund, or Mark Laskin, the Recovery Fund has helped to rebuild and repair over 1,300 homes for people who did not have insurance and could not afford to repair their homes since Hurricane Ivan hit the Cayman Islands in September 2004.

However, additional funds and support are still needed to complete major repairs on 300 homes. “We look at New Orleans and the Government has pledged $22 billion for 500,000 people,” said Dr Laskin. “We have spent $12 million on 1300 homes.

A comparable contribution in New Orleans would be $220 million. Many of the people that need help here in Cayman are elderly, poor, sick and often unemployed. We have a chance to achieve a greater social equity in Cayman unlike many countries and we have to make that effort.”

The Managing Director of Butterfield Bank, Conor O’Dea, said Hurricane Ivan brought out many leaders within the community at a time in need but there is still more work to be done. “The storm may be gone but the damage is not gone,” said Mr O’Dea.

Jeff Lombardo and Marion Wilson of Dart Realty with Dr Mark Laskin

“If the repairs to the infrastructure are not completed then we will have long term consequences.” He expressed gratitude to all those people who have volunteered their time, physical labour and money. And he encouraged them to continue the work and to get the message out to the community that there is still more to be done.

Ms Dart said the Foundation receives thousands of requests each year for grants, but they earmarked additional funds for the Recovery Fund because of the amount of detail in exactly how the funds would be used, which made that application stand out.

“These funds will further aid the Hurricane Ivan recovery efforts to rebuild lives and restore hope to our Cayman community members whose homes were either severely damaged or completely destroyed, “ said Ms Dart.

H.E the Governor Stuart Jack, Ariane Dart, Conor O’Dea and Dr Mark Laskin at the reception for supporters of the National Recovery Fund

“The Dart Foundation also hopes that the renovation work will help all members of the Cayman community to not only provide people with proper homes, but help lift people’s spirit to their pre-Hurricane Ivan level of confidence and contentment.”

She added that Dart team members visited the renovated home of Clancy Ebanks who was the recipient of such a grant. “Previous to receiving her grant she was bathing using a bucket filled with well-water that the Department of Environment had deemed non-potable.

Her new house was built in 17 days, has the latest appliances and was even painted in her favourite colour, which is pink.

“Mrs Clancy was very appreciative of her new home and communicated this repeatedly. The Dart Foundation is honoured to be able to be a part of the effort to improve fellow community member’s lives in such a manner and to such a dramatic degree,” Ms Dart said.

shurna@caymannetnews.com