Sometimes it just feels good to be fortunate enough to live our lifestyle. We met a couple (Bev and Arne on Scandia) way back in Ft. Myers Beach whose plans had changed and wouldn’t be able to sail to the Bahamas and asked us if we would deliver a large box of school supplies to the Staniel Cay All Age School. Of course we said yes. Maryann has delivered supplies in past trips to the Bahamas to Black Point settlement, one of her favorite islands. Funding is sparse and supplies are sorely needed.
The way schools work here is that all the island kids attend their local school until they are high school age. Then they ship out to Nassau to attend the only high school in the islands. They live with relatives and come home on the Mail Boat whenever they can.
The one room school is just that, reminiscent of the US one room schools. Very primitive, just pencils and papers…no computers, labs or other frills. But very tidy and the kids were all in crisp, clean uniforms and stand when you enter shouting out, “Welcome visitor!” in unison.
The picture is of the kids and their teacher with us and the supplies. They seemed very grateful, or maybe they were all fidgety because it was time for their lunch break?! Anyway you look at it, it was a good day.