Following the recent volcanic eruption on the Caribbean island of St Vincent and the Grenadines, 18 year old Shelena Artman has spearheaded a campaign to help the Islanders who are fleeing for their lives.
Although Shelena was born in Bristol her father hails from St Vincent and they have family living there. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the pictures of lava spewing out of the Volcano, and blankets of thick ash covering the Island like snow and even bringing down houses with the weight. Right now huge boulders are erupting out and crashing into homes and burning them down. It’s horrific.
I realise how dangerous and devastating it is for people living there and I wanted to do something to help”.
Shelena designed a poster for social media asking for goods like non perishable food items and toiletries, and even galvanised the support of BCFM Radio to produce a radio advert which is already bring, fellow community radio station Ujima are also supporting.
People have been evacuating for the last three weeks mostly moving from one part of the island to the other and finding refuge on cruise ships but now it’s urgent that people leave the Island and find safety on neighbouring Islands where shelters have been set up.
There are two collection points: Easton Community Centre Kilburn St BS5 6AW and The Kings Centre, Kings Square BS2 8JL. Please check opening times on the BCFM Radio website www.bcfmradio.com and across their social media.