The three Bahamian chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha(AKA) Sorority Inc. came together to introduce Project Hope under the theme "Launching new dimensions of relief". National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) officials and representatives of the National Recovery and Reconstruction Unit (NRRU) were present for one aspect of the immediate relief efforts, called the Doors of Hope. The Doors of Hope project was funded by a donation from Dr. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson, international president of AKA Sorority Inc. and the international body of AKA Sorority Inc. to the tune of $10,000.

Following Hurricane Joaquin and the resulting damage to the homes and communities of thousands of Bahamians, the women of AKA Sorority Inc. urged for ongoing financial support. With this, the chapters collectively agreed on a project that could meet the immediate needs of the hurricane victims to ensure the donation would be properly distributed and utilized. They presented 55 exterior doors and accompanying accessories for the use of homes being rebuilt by the respective government agencies. Women, single parent families, senior citizens, the disabled or economically devastated were identified as the target recipients for the doors.

"We believe that the donation of doors serves not only as a necessity, but also a symbol of security and protection [as well as] the completion of a home," said Alana Major, president of the Eta Psi Omega chapter of AKA Sorority Inc. "It is our hope that each door is installed, each doormat is placed before it [and] that the victims of Hurricane Joaquin will feel hope restored and be reminded that we will rebuild and recover -- better and stronger than before."

Melanie Roach, head of the reconstruction and building team, and Jack Thompson, administrator for the National Recovery and Reconstruction Unit, were on hand for the presentation and both commended all three chapters -- Eta Psi Omega, Pi Upsilon Omega (Grand Bahama) and Tau Nu Chapter (College of the Bahamas) -- for their ongoing efforts.

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