Akimel A-al responds to Hurricane Ike

A collaborative effort by teachers and students at Akimel A-al Middle School, as well as a local shipping company, will be providing much-needed relief to children of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

When Hurricane Ike struck the resort islands and forced thousands to relocate, it also struck a personal chord with teacher Camilla Sulak.

The 29-year-old has spent time throughout her entire life on the islands, which are an extension of the Bahamas.

Sulak said last week she contacted a friend who resides there after the hurricane hit the islands on Saturday, Sept. 6. She was told that what they needed was school supplies for the children, hundreds of which had been relocated to a youth center in the less damaged areas.

In a week, Sulak inspired her students to collect everything from crayons, pencils and paper to basketballs and flash cards. The collection of goods filled 16 boxes to the brim, over $1,800 worth, Sulak said.

Then there was the question of shipping. The eighth-grade science teacher searched around for a company who could get the goods in the air as soon as possible.

She found an exciting response from Mach 1 Global Services. The Tempe-based shipping company told her they would be picking up the tab. They would collect the packages from Akimel A-al, throw on the shipping labels and fly them to the Turks Islands at no cost to the teacher. On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the first step was taken and boxes were loaded onto the truck.

"It's incredible what (Mach 1) is doing," Sulak said. "It was such a pleasant surprise."

At the same time, fellow teacher Sharon Heigh said she was assigning business letters for her class when she heard about the task that Sulak was undertaking. She had her kids write letters to businesses across the U.S., asking for donations for the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

"I was excited to help in the effort," Heigh said. "I hope that these businesses will be proactive. Hopefully we can make a difference."

School on the islands started at the beginning of the month. The kids were not even settled in when Ike rushed onshore a week later.

Parts of the island will be without power for months. Children and their parents moved in with friends and extended family after their areas were hit, Sulak said.

"We wanted to send goods so the kids could continue with their education," she said.

Student Tyler Visa, who participated in loading the items, donated many of his own things to the cause.

"I knew I had a lot of things in my closet that I didn't use anymore," the 13-year-old said. "I just thought they could probably use this stuff more than me."

The 16 boxes, plus at least four more from employees at Mach 1, should reach the islands within 10 days.

"Everyone has responded very enthusiastically, students as well as colleagues," Sulak said. "Some of these kids lost their entire school and we are hoping they will benefit from what we are doing here."