Reports of heightened activity came since last December, but evacuation orders were given for people living in vulnerable areas when a lava dome could be seen on Thursday (April 8) afternoon. The island is zoned based on proximity to the volcano. Those living in the green and yellow zones were relatively safe, and those in the orange and red zones were in imminent danger. No one was safe from ash fall. Ash spread everywhere and even affected neighboring islands such as Barbados and St Lucia.
A total of 4,000 displaced nationals are now living in shelters while others have moved in with friends and family or taken boats to neighbouring islands. The UWI students from St Vincent and the Grenadines have been severely affected by the eruption as they deal with school, exams, and the pandemic. Some of them agreed to share their stories with UWI TODAY.
“I was lying in bed and going through WhatsApp when I learned about the eruption,” said Teron Pope, a final year student majoring in Economics and with a minor in Finance. “Even now, I can’t wrap my mind around it.” Teron lives in a safe zone but he witnessed the eruptions from his house. He had no water for the first week. His family had to manage their water. They were also away from ash exposure. The experience, he says, affected his studies: “It was hard for me to remain motivated. This is my final semester and I had to ask for extensions.” Thankfully, his lecturers and schoolmates have been very supportive. Teron highlighted Dr Roxanne Brizan-St Martin, lecturer in the Department of Economics. “She actually reached out to me when she learned of the increased activity [of the volcano]. She has been speaking to me throughout this experience and even connected me to a counsellor to assist with my lack of motivation.” He said that he really wants the situation in his homeland to end soon, but he understands they have a long road ahead in restarting the economy, and revamping tourism and agriculture. Teron also called for the support of the campus community and greater society: “Don’t forget about us and our plight. Thousands have been affected, so donate whatever you can. Don’t forget, no matter how long this goes on.”
The President of The Vincentian Students’ Association of the St Augustine Campus and a Faculty of Engineering student, Jessica Prescott was not as surprised by the eruption of La Soufrière because she’d followed the reporting. However, the experience was no less surreal. “We saw some smoke in the sky while going into town and, within 10 minutes, the smoke and explosions got increasingly bigger.” The eruption came at a time when the island was experiencing a COVID-19 spike and a dengue outbreak; all this affected her. “COVID, dengue, final year and now an eruption.” She said. “We had to be filling up drums and barrels for days. I had to take some time for myself.” There was some relief. Jessica and other students have received extensions on projects and assignments. She also noted that the Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) had enquired about their welfare and the Guild of Students, and other groups have plans to send aid. Jessica is grateful for any support, even if she doesn’t directly benefit. “We have lost millions in crops, land and animals for rearing, but the Caribbean has really rallied around us, and I am hopeful we will overcome.”
The night of the eruption, there was an all island blackout, recalled Justene Farrell. “At about 1 am, I no longer felt the fan and I woke up to complete darkness. We could all hear the volcano and it was so scary,” she said. “It was so loud and felt so near that everyone who could use social media were posting and asking whether a ‘green zone' even existed and if anyone was truly safe.” The final year student at the Faculty of Science and Technology was in disbelief. “As a child, you hear about past eruptions, but I never thought it would erupt in my lifetime.” She and her family are living in a green zone but they have been affected by ash fall, and water and electricity deficits. They have set up wash stations at every door and they keep the house fully locked up. School has been interrupted as well. “I felt like I lost an entire week of school just thinking about everything and keeping up with the updates. I had to refocus and pull myself together.”
For Chrislon Fraser, it has been quite a rollercoaster of events and emotions. He noted the overwhelming response from overseas. “Caribbean countries as well as the St Vincent and the Grenadines’ diaspora in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada have come together to support us.” The eruption shocked him and he experienced trauma which impacted his school work. However, he was fortunate because he wasn't in the danger zone and could remain home. “It is my final year as a Bachelor’s of Law student, but this has really hindered my focus. I kept checking daily updates and I feel bad for others who had to be evacuated or stay in shelters,” he said. Chrislon stated that even though the volcano has affected their lives and livelihood, he is confident that they will rise above it: “We are proud with a strong community spirit and national bond. We will come together to rebuild!”
The last major eruption of La Soufrière was in 1979. Since April 9 of this year, the volcano has erupted many times. Overall, the students are navigating an unprecedented time in their school journey. They are hopeful they will be triumphant with the continued support from The UWI and the global community.
