FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - A Fort Lauderdale Christian school was left destroyed after vandals targeted it over the Memorial Day weekend.
Officials said the vandals broke into Showers of Blessings Christian Academy on Sunday and Monday.
7News cameras captured the damage left behind on campus.
All of the school’s 10 classrooms were left with significant damage such as shattered windows, knocked over books shelves and graffiti.
The vandals spray painted “haha” and profanity on the walls.
Pricey laptops used by students, surveillance cameras and toilets were also broken.
A school bus parked outside was left with its windows shattered.
Over in the school’s cafeteria, food was thrown on the ground and milk was left out to spoil.
The owners believe the vandals might be young kids because of the small footprints left behind at the scene.
“We built this for our community, our kids, and just to see it destroyed this way is very heartbreaking,” said director Britney Ewald. “We’re just trying our best now to cope to see where do we go from here.”
The family behind the school said they run it as a neighborhood alternative for families to enroll their children for free.
“It’s absolutely atrocious. It’s terrible. I can’t say at this point, but we will get through,” said Ewald. “It affects my students, our children, and that’s what bothers me the most.”
Staff members at the school were supposed to be getting ready for graduation this week, but instead they will be spending their time rebuilding.
“They just destroyed the property,” teacher Chris Ewald said. “It’s a lot of hate for no reason. We’re a faith-based school. We’re a church. We put God first. We love everybody, so for somebody to do this to us – it hurts.”
The destruction is sure to affect many students as the school teaches grades from kindergarten all the way through 10th.
“I love my friends, and I love my school. It’s a disaster,” said student Jayla Somaya.
“Now, we just got to lean on God and know that He will get us through because it will work out in His favor,” added teacher Sylvester Flowers.
The owners of the school have created a GoFundMe campaign to help them recoup their losses.
If you have any information on this act of vandalism, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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