NASSAU, Bahamas –– The Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas (District 7020) have worked diligently to raise funds to assist Haiti after the devastating earthquake struck the country on January 12th affecting up to 3 million people. 

The 17 Rotary clubs in Haiti with a membership of approximately 350 and the 9 Rotary clubs in The Bahamas with approximately 400 Rotarians have worked jointly to ensure that the supplies and donations provided are properly distributed. 

In the first 3 weeks since the earthquake, apart from other forms of donations, over $500,000 was raised which included over $250,000 from the various Bahamas Rotary clubs as well as the Telethon. The 4 hour “Help us help Haiti Telethon” organized by Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce with help from a number of other supporters held on January 25th and 26th, raised over $250,000. 

The response from the public has been impressive and is ongoing. An example includes an $8,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise.  Although not a part of District 7020, this Rotary club (in District 6990) assisted the Bahamas’ efforts with a cheque presentation by President-Elect Joe Thompson who was in Nassau to receive a Queen’s Honour for his outstanding work in Grand Bahama in the areas of business, sports and community involvement. 

Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham
Prime Minister
New Year’s Address to the Nation

4 February 2010

Continuing my practice of addressing you at the beginning of each year, I am pleased once again for the opportunity of sharing with you my outlook for the New Year.

We were fortunate over the last year not to experience the ravages of any natural disasters, in particular hurricanes to which we are annually exposed and which many scientists suggest are becoming more powerful due to climate change.  Sadly and tragically for our neighbours in Haiti, this year has begun with one of the worst natural disasters in that country’s history and, indeed, in the history of the peoples of this hemisphere.

I welcome the outpouring of goodwill toward Haiti demonstrated by so many in our private sector and by our church communities.  I encourage all those able to assist to do so and I take this opportunity to remind you that a special account has been opened in branches of all the Clearing Banks to receive donations to the Haiti Emergency Assistance and Reconstruction Fund.  

2010 – A BETTER YEAR 

2009 was a difficult year.  The Bahamian economy faced significant headwinds and is estimated to have declined by about four per cent as the global downturn bore heavily upon us. 

Tourism contracted sharply.  Construction activity weakened as foreign direct investments fell.  Unemployment rose and government revenue decreased.  It was indeed a difficult year.  But we now expect that 2010 will be better.  

Bahamian film 'RAIN' continues to jump from accolade to accolade, and is now well on the way to mainstream viewing as writer & director Maria Govan's award-winning feature will appear on the Showtime network at 8pm on the 18th and 19th of February and again on the 20th at 6:15pm.   

One of the first indigenous feature films to come out of the Bahamas, RAIN, featuring Renel Brown as the title character and in her first film role, steers us away from the simplistic perception of a postcard paradise, instead taking us 'over the hill' into the challenged life of a young local girl determined to get to know the mother who abandoned her as a young child.

Shot in a style that combines gritty realism, a bold and unforgettable colour palette, soulful Bahamian music, and the use of local actors alongside seasoned pros, RAIN takes us on a journey into the heart of a child, into the pulse of a country and the spirit of its people.

Click here to read more about RAIN as the film gathers critical acclaim.

NASSAU, Bahamas -- A talented group of local artists are putting togeter Art For Haiti, an event to raise money for orphanages in that country devastated by the recent earthquake. 

Art For Haiti is the first art show of it's kind in Nassau, and artists are quickly signing up and offering their work in hopes to raise enough money to make a difference to the orphans in Haiti.

Christine Forde Aylen, Tim Aylen, Nicole Collie, Margot Bethel, Toby Lunn, Malcolm Rae and others are donating 50-75% of proceeds to the cause.

Please help Bahamian and Haitian artists in their efforts to raise money for the orphanages in Haiti that were destroyed in the earthquake, by supporting Art For Haiti.

Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 5:30pm - 10:00pm
Location: Nassau Yacht Club, East Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas

Photo: The painting by Christine Aylen symbolizes new growth, and a new beginning for an already struggling country that now has to rebuild and begin again.