Emotions
It’s an emotional time of year here.
December 26th marks five years since a tsunami came roaring in from the Indian Ocean, leaving in its wake, indescribable death and destruction. Thousands are gathering for a mass prayer here in Banda Aceh that morning. Many of my colleagues will attend, themselves survivors of that deadly day. Others will spend the day in quiet, solitary reflection, remembering with fondness the loved ones they lost.
But it’s also a time to look toward the future. Those who lived through that horrible day are marrying and forming new families. Babies are being born. Children are going to school. Fishermen are again working in the ocean. Markets are teeming with activity.
As Canadians, we can and should be proud of the role we have helped play in this recovery. We have provided hope for a better tomorrow. Not just in concrete terms, like building new houses, but also through something a lot less tangible. We have let the people of Indonesia know they are not alone. We may live on the other side of the world, but we all belong to the same massive global family. And in times of trouble, it is a family that pulls together and becomes even stronger.
The Canadian Red Cross family working here also became stronger over the past five years. We come from all walks of life; from Canada, Nepal, Bosnia, Bangladesh, and many cities and towns across Indonesia itself. There were close to 300 of us here at one point, all pulling together towards one common goal. But now those numbers are dwindling.
December 31st marks the official end of some of our programming in Indonesia. Many of our staff are moving on to new adventures and jobs, or returning home to families who miss them incredibly. It is a sad time. Close bonds have been forged, not only among staff, but also between us and the villagers. Residents in one community now say they live in the “Canadian village”, because they consider themselves part of the Canadian family. We are proud of what we have accomplished, knowing that our efforts will pay dividends in Aceh and Nias for generations to come.
December 26th marks five years since a tsunami came roaring in from the Indian Ocean, leaving in its wake, indescribable death and destruction. Thousands are gathering for a mass prayer here in Banda Aceh that morning. Many of my colleagues will attend, themselves survivors of that deadly day. Others will spend the day in quiet, solitary reflection, remembering with fondness the loved ones they lost.
But it’s also a time to look toward the future. Those who lived through that horrible day are marrying and forming new families. Babies are being born. Children are going to school. Fishermen are again working in the ocean. Markets are teeming with activity.
As Canadians, we can and should be proud of the role we have helped play in this recovery. We have provided hope for a better tomorrow. Not just in concrete terms, like building new houses, but also through something a lot less tangible. We have let the people of Indonesia know they are not alone. We may live on the other side of the world, but we all belong to the same massive global family. And in times of trouble, it is a family that pulls together and becomes even stronger.
The Canadian Red Cross family working here also became stronger over the past five years. We come from all walks of life; from Canada, Nepal, Bosnia, Bangladesh, and many cities and towns across Indonesia itself. There were close to 300 of us here at one point, all pulling together towards one common goal. But now those numbers are dwindling.
December 31st marks the official end of some of our programming in Indonesia. Many of our staff are moving on to new adventures and jobs, or returning home to families who miss them incredibly. It is a sad time. Close bonds have been forged, not only among staff, but also between us and the villagers. Residents in one community now say they live in the “Canadian village”, because they consider themselves part of the Canadian family. We are proud of what we have accomplished, knowing that our efforts will pay dividends in Aceh and Nias for generations to come.
posted by KB at 9:49 AM
3 Comments:
Merry Christmas Kathy. We appreciate your updates and wish you good health and happiness in the coming year.
Bob Dell
Merry Christmas Kathy.. Sounds like everything is going well. I'm glad too hear that. Best of luck to you in the new year.
Greg
Always thinking of you and proud of your choice to venture out and extend yourself in so many ways. This life changing experience is just one of many who has made you who you are and I am proud to call you a friend. I am wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year. xo
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