TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Brother ,can you spare a dime

Well, a bit more than a dime but anything will do. Val from Myetts is seeking donations to help pay freight costs for relief supplies being sent to Cane Garden for both the residents and employees (all unemployed now) of Myetts. She had been footing the bill but with no income she can't continue. PayPal is best as no fees if you do it right Send via PayPal to: Val@myetts.com

On a side note, all my years of visiting and the many friends we have made there has made it especially tough trying to help all those folks who desperately need it. And they aren't looking for luxuries. Bare minimum basics. When Mic was asked what he needed the answer "we need food. My gardens are destroyed. Send seeds."

I quit counting my receipts when we got into 5 figures. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> And remember, there is no FEMA in BVI nor unemployment benefits. It's a tough situation.

I've been reading Val's posts on how to send supplies and confusing to me . . Anyway I did an estimate on sending an approx box 24x24x24 and weighing 10lbs to St. John via usps and gave a quote of about $126 . . Then did an estimate via ups same criteria and $705! Does that sound right. Has anyone shipped supplies down there what is the most economically way to go about sending stuff?

Stay with the USPS flat rate boxes.

The volumetric weight is what got you. (L*W*D/194) 24^3/194= 71lb. Break it up into 3 or 4 smaller boxes and check the rate.

As HillsideView said, get a large, flat-rate box, and send that. Send multiple, if you want to.

Sending really large and/or heavy boxes, it is almost always less to send it as a freight shipment, rather than normal postal or UPS package rates.

referring back to Hillside View opening post, what type of seeds should be sent for BVI gardens. I would like to send a couple of USPS boxes down. And what is a good address to use

Ok got to St. John flat rate box(es) then $10 more for each box to get to Tortola . . So what is the most economical way to ship straight to Tortola?

There isn't FEMA because it's British.
The Brits usually take care of their island territories after a disaster.

Yes, well aware of that. Was making that comment as way too many think there is. There is little social safety net in the BVI as compared to the USVI.

There is an enormous safety net in the bvi. It's called having a government job. While all the private sector workers lack everything , the government keeps apologizing on the bvi community board that pay cheques will be late.

When these people get paid there will at least be some velocity of money in the economy. The remainder will come from financial support of outsiders

The British Navy usually helps out like they did in Montserrate in the 90's when the volcano wipeout Portsmouth.
Are there any British Naval ships in the harbor?

Military is gone now.

Ok , are they gone because they have repaired the infrastructure and the island is on its way to recovery?

For sure the government is a big employer, especially of BVIlanders. Some of them are hard-working teachers, medical folk and decent civil servants. Others not so much. Around town you see government vehicles used by parents to ferry their kids to and from school, during working hours. And for such a small place, there are an awful lot of permanent secretaries, deputies, assistants, PR folks, etc. With far less income, it’s hard to see how belt tightening is avoided. Will the British really want to fund it? Will anyone lend money for that?

Just before Irma, it looked like some roosters might be coming home to roost, with audits done, financials demanded, etc. For example, it came to light that the government owed many millions in back electric bills, which they were unable to pay. The British had been demanding that financial reserves be established, with much pushback. We’ll see if they exist.

Another issue is who will pay to rebuild private homes. A lot of folk seem to think it is the government’s responsibility. Not sure where that money would come from.

However, there is income: local and alien property owners rebuilding their properties with savings and insurance settlements. There is a lot of construction and boat repair work. Anyone with skills, or willing and able to acquire them, will have work for a long time.

I wonder.... what percent of the homes are actually insured?