I have been wrestling with many competing ideas for my next BLOG. The decision was made for me when I read an email from my friend Jilly Thomas - I have decided to simply post her email -
Today I had the pleasure of working a 9 hour shift, from 7.30 am to 4.30pm at the Chch refugee centre, set up by Civil Defence, in the Faith Church in Lambie Drive, Manukau. The behind the scenes organisation was mind boggling and I met the most amazing people from all walks of life including those who were to help and those who needed help.
My hat goes off to Red Cross, their staff and volunteers. To Civil Defence. To Victim Support. To NZ Housing. To WINZ; to CYFS; to ministry of social welfare; to Min Health and the DHB's; to Faith Church; to Auckland Council and to everyone else involved. The logistics was well thought out and there were numerous community organisations involved.
I spent some time talking with a social worker from the Pacific Islands who was there to support Muslim refugees - the fact that some of these people have already gone through massive upheavals in their own country and after years of living in refugee camps have finally made it to NZ for a better life, then to be exposed to the terror of the earthquake. With English as a second language and little understanding of the support for refugees they are afraid of ending up in another refugee camp. That's just one example of NZ’s community groups and how the earthquake has impacted on them.
I offered a sympathetic ear, listened to their stories & fought back the tears.
Some just needed to download their experiences - where they were on Tuesday, what they saw, how lucky they feel to be alive, that it could have been worse. The young mother now separated from her premature baby, she at the refugee centre and the baby across the city in Waitakere hospital. The young man who arrived yesterday and had the best night's sleep in over 6 months despite being woken by the sound of a plane flying overhead which reminded him of the noise of the earthquake - he was lucky he could rationalise that it was only a plane and went back to sleep. No shaking of the bed, no rocking or short sharp jolts.
Concerns ranged from "they were cooking at the time - what happens when the power goes back on? What about their cat? How guilty they feel about leaving in-laws and extended family behind. They talked about the support from the army, the fire brigade, the police, the government. One person even recounted how he saw a helicopter flying overhead with a port-a-loo. Such surreal experiences.
They are bravely picking up the pieces, they want the best for their families. I met people of all ages who are shocked and traumatised. Who have lost their homes, their businesses, their security. Some only have the clothes they arrived in. An Indian couple, vegetarians, lived on fruit for 9 days and had their first full meals last night.
Yet, what all these refugees have in common - no matter what their culture or creed - is resilience, patience, guts and determination. The will to survive and make a new life for themselves. Some were in the centre for hours waiting for temporary accommodation to be organised for them. No-one complained. They were all grateful for the tea, coffee, water and biscuits that were offered to them. To be able to flush a loo.
So the 9 hours I spent today was such a miniscule intrusion in my life - it is nothing compared to what these refugees have been through and what they will be going through for days, weeks years, to come. Yes, I would volunteer again.
Want to help? - organise a class fund raising event by washing cars or making and selling cupcakes; donate clothing, school uniforms, blankets; financial contributions to Red Cross Christchurch earthquake appeal; support organisations and companies that are fundraising by purchasing their products. Volunteer to sell 'I love Chch' t- shirts. Food products not required.
Jilly Thomas
Newmarket
Sat 5/03/2011 7:11 p.m
