Wednesday October 7, 2009

Many people are aware Red Cross teams are working around the clock to get physical materials to earthquake victims in Padang, everything from tents and blankets to food and medicine. What you may not know it is the Red Cross is also helping people, particularly children, recover from the emotional trauma they have suffered.

Over the last few days, I’ve talked with parents who say their young ones haven’t spoken a word since the earthquake. Others have babies who now spend the night crying.

Today, a Red Cross team armed with puppets went to one village; their goal to get kids smiling and laughing again. It didn’t take long for the team to be surrounded by children of all ages. The puppets became oversized on their tiny little hands. And the village was soon filled with the laughter and squeals of high-pitched voices.

Mission accomplished.