In St Vincent and the Grenadines' Union Island, after Hurricane Beryl left more than 90% of buildings destroyed, a wooden house stands alone amidst rubble. This tiny yellow structure with mauve roofing has gone viral on Facebook, sparking debate over whether its survival is divine intervention in a deeply religious country where Christians make up the majority.
The owner, Joseph Franklyn, 60, who was initially thought to be deceased due to his insistence on remaining at home during the storm, credits God for sparing him and his residence. The house, constructed by locals from Rocky Hill Seventh-day Adventist church as a safer alternative than Franklyn's previous living situation in a crumbling hut, was built with plywood while its interior utilized concrete.
While some on social media attribute the survival to divine intervention, others argue that it could simply be due to better construction techniques or luck. Regardless of the reason behind this singular building's resilience against Beryl's fury, Franklyn and his story serve as a reminder of humanity's ability to endure and find hope in times of natural disaster.
The hurricane claimed thousands of lives across the Caribbean, leaving many without homes or livelihoods. Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves has praised the region for its resilience and called upon wealthier countries responsible for climate change to aid these nations in their recovery efforts.
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