WHY WE’RE HERE
By: Kathy Mueller
Information & Community Outreach Delegate
Banda Aceh, Indonesia
I am so bursting with pride to be Canadian today.
You see, I’ve finally seen, up close, some of the nearly six thousand houses Canadian Red Cross is building for tsunami victims here in Indonesia.
I was so excited to take my first trip “into the field”, and as we neared the village of Kajhu, emotion welled up inside of me, and tears sprang to my eyes.
This is why we are here. This is why hundreds of Canadians have, over the years, given up their comfy lifestyles back home, quit their jobs and chosen to live thousands of kilometers away from their families and loved ones; to help restore some of the communities hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami; to see the smiles on moms, dads and kids who are now living in these multi-coloured homes with the distinguishing red roofs.
I met two young boys while visiting one sub-village. At first shy, they quickly warmed up to my
camera, and were eager to show me their fish. We walked to the back of their home, to the rain water catchment basin, and there they pointed proudly to their fish, explaining that they’re being used to help keep the water clean.
I heard the wail of a little baby girl from behind the walls of another home, as her mother tried desperately to calm her. Cows, goats and chickens grazed for food in their yards. Men read the manuals they were given from the Red Cross on how best to look after their new homes.
And these truly are homes now. They’re not just houses. They reflect the characters of the people living inside. Curtains hang in the windows. Laundry hangs on the line. Potted plants welcome visitors at the front doors. Many owners are adding on extra rooms. A little shop, what Canadians would consider a variety store, has opened. This
village is surging back to life.
The water here was six meters deep during the tsunami. SIX METERS! Think about that! It’s almost 20 feet high! Homes were literally swallowed up. But to see this regrowth, amid the crumbling ruins of what once were houses, is just amazing. To be fair, it’s not just Canadian Red Cross working here. Dozens of other humanitarian agencies are also working hard to give people a better life.
But I am Canadian. I am fiercely proud to be so. It’s heartwarming and so inspiring to see the rebirth. To know that the money I, and hundreds of thousands of other Canadians, donated to the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund immediately after that horrible day is being spent so well.
As I travel more of the world, it comes as no surprise to me to see Canadians so well regarded. We are doing good things. We don’t pat ourselves on the back often enough for a job well done. I think it’s about time we started. So, to all of those Canadians who dipped into their wallets, and broke open their piggy banks, to help the 700,000 people affected by the tsunami in Indonesia alone, kudos to you!
Information & Community Outreach Delegate
Banda Aceh, Indonesia
I am so bursting with pride to be Canadian today.
You see, I’ve finally seen, up close, some of the nearly six thousand houses Canadian Red Cross is building for tsunami victims here in Indonesia.
I was so excited to take my first trip “into the field”, and as we neared the village of Kajhu, emotion welled up inside of me, and tears sprang to my eyes.
This is why we are here. This is why hundreds of Canadians have, over the years, given up their comfy lifestyles back home, quit their jobs and chosen to live thousands of kilometers away from their families and loved ones; to help restore some of the communities hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami; to see the smiles on moms, dads and kids who are now living in these multi-coloured homes with the distinguishing red roofs.
I met two young boys while visiting one sub-village. At first shy, they quickly warmed up to my
camera, and were eager to show me their fish. We walked to the back of their home, to the rain water catchment basin, and there they pointed proudly to their fish, explaining that they’re being used to help keep the water clean.I heard the wail of a little baby girl from behind the walls of another home, as her mother tried desperately to calm her. Cows, goats and chickens grazed for food in their yards. Men read the manuals they were given from the Red Cross on how best to look after their new homes.
And these truly are homes now. They’re not just houses. They reflect the characters of the people living inside. Curtains hang in the windows. Laundry hangs on the line. Potted plants welcome visitors at the front doors. Many owners are adding on extra rooms. A little shop, what Canadians would consider a variety store, has opened. This
village is surging back to life.The water here was six meters deep during the tsunami. SIX METERS! Think about that! It’s almost 20 feet high! Homes were literally swallowed up. But to see this regrowth, amid the crumbling ruins of what once were houses, is just amazing. To be fair, it’s not just Canadian Red Cross working here. Dozens of other humanitarian agencies are also working hard to give people a better life.
But I am Canadian. I am fiercely proud to be so. It’s heartwarming and so inspiring to see the rebirth. To know that the money I, and hundreds of thousands of other Canadians, donated to the Canadian Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund immediately after that horrible day is being spent so well.
As I travel more of the world, it comes as no surprise to me to see Canadians so well regarded. We are doing good things. We don’t pat ourselves on the back often enough for a job well done. I think it’s about time we started. So, to all of those Canadians who dipped into their wallets, and broke open their piggy banks, to help the 700,000 people affected by the tsunami in Indonesia alone, kudos to you!
posted by KB at 8:48 AM
3 Comments:
Amazing. Simply incredible what humanity is capable of when we simply work together for a common goal...to help each other, those most in need. It's genuinly appreciated to read a non-bias commentary, thank you.
This really is what humanity is all about. Canadians really do understand that we are a global community!! Loved your article - always engaging and educational and comes from your huge heart. Keep up the tremendous effort Kathy.
I agree. It's amazing what can get accomplished when people decide to put aside their differences and work together for the benefit of everybody. Although I'm not physically picking up a hammer and helping to build these homes (although I would love to), I am still extremely proud to be here, contributing. It's so satisfying to see the amazing work, and that's a feeling money can't buy!
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