A Volunteer Update from St. Vincent, Caribbean
-
October 7, 2021My name is Melverna Grant Baptiste. I live in Sandy Bay with my husband, Neil. We are parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel there, under the care of the Redemptorists. I have many years of experience in the food service industry. Hence, I was asked by Father Kevin Murray to be the manager of the new Garifuna village Market in Pepper Village, Sandy Bay, which opened in December of last year.
As you know, we experienced the explosive eruption of the Laoufriere volcano in early April of this year. After the eruption, it was a very difficult time for me. I had so many anxieties. There were times when I could not stop the tears from coming down my face. Seeing my community, the place I call home, going through so much stress caused me much pain.
It wasn’t easy to leave the comfort of home once the evacuation order was given. There was much uncertainty at the time as to what might happen: to our homes, our community, to the farmers and the livelihood of persons. I wondered how long would we be displaced? I wondered too how we were going to make it through this difficult time? There were so many questions that played in my head, and I wanted answers.
I coped with all that was happening by remembering stories of previous eruptions. Even though I had heard the stories, I honestly was not prepared for what came. The emotions that came with everything were a lot to deal with. But prayer works. And what also helped was having a very strong support system. My husband, parents, and close friends all helped to keep me sane. I could not have done it without them.
The days that followed the explosive eruptions (there were at least 33) were heartbreaking. Seeing the damages, hearing of and seeing needs of people who kept asking for assistance with food, water, mattresses, basically EVERYTHING, was unlike anything I had experienced before. I saw a lot of support being offered to those in need, which made me truly proud at that time to be a Vincentian. People checking up on one another at home and abroad, and seeing everyone trying to help in one way or another, were truly heart-warming. Seeing all the support being offered made me want to help in whatever way I could.
Being an evacuee myself, I knew I didn’t have much to offer. But having a sense of mutual feelings with people who also evacuated, I was WILLING AND READY. That is when I remembered my sister and her boyfriend owned a bakery in the community of Sharpes – away from the Red Zone areas. I reached out to her about baking bread for those in need. I said I would provide the ingredients needed and she said yes. So, with the help of a few friends, we were able to bake bread on three different occasions and distribute to close to 50 families each time.
About a week after the last distribution of bread, Father Kevin reached out to me about coming to help organize packages of food and toiletries for people affected by the volcanic disaster. To be honest, I was happy to do it because I wanted something to do to take my mind off what was happening with the volcano. With each passing day, I began to really love what I was doing with others in outreach to those displaced by the eruptions. As sad as it was to hear the stories of people affected, it was ten times better to give during this time of need than to stay away and not help.
Volunteering to organize the packages has been an overwhelming experience. I have seen and heard it all up front: how persons have been hurt, the pain experienced, the fear of persons. Stories of those who have nothing now: no money, nothing to eat, nothing to wear, as well as meeting people who have lost their homes and all hope for the time.
Being able to give to those people, even if it is not much, has been very rewarding. We have put smiles on many faces. Hearing a sincere and heart-felt “thank you” from so many is something I will never forget. During my time of volunteering these stories have had a strong impact on me – some leaving me with the hope that I could do more. Some of the most impressionable ones include: mothers who had nothing to feed their children, who couldn’t afford food or pampers for their newborns; people sleeping on the bare ground with not even a sheet or pillow to cover them; fathers wondering how they are going to provide for their family because they cannot go to the mountains and do farming; grandmothers who were left to fend for the grandkids; elders who had nobody to look after them. I have seen many tears as well, particularly among persons who are ill with depression, cardiac issues, and basic stress.
I have seen and heard a lot! I am looking forward to going back home as I am very eager to be back in my community. In fact, the past two weekends (early August), the team of volunteers prepared over 400 packages of food and toiletries for the Sandy Bay community and environs – upwards to the communities of Point and Owia, and downwards to the communities of London, Magum, Overland, and Orange Hill. It was a joy to be able to provide for their needs as many are now returning from shelters after a month stay.
As I prepare to return home, I would love to see everyone working together for the common good. Neighbor helping neighbor. Now is not the time to be against each other; now is the time we need to come together and work for a better community, a better Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. We have all been affected in one way or another. Some more than others yes, but the call now is to be our brothers’ keepers.
I also hope to see the Garifuna Village Market play a key role in the recovery. I will do my part as much as possible to reach out to all who have been displaced and with the staff to help in whatever ways we can. Sometimes it is not always about giving of material things but also about being present, going to say hello, asking people how they are doing; how are things going? Sometimes it is the little things that mean the most.
In closing, I would like to thank Father Kevin for giving me the opportunity to work alongside him and the other volunteers. Giving hope to those who needed it and putting smiles on the faces of those who felt lost have humbled me. My mindset has been changed in positive ways and the experience has made me a better human being today. Those with whom we have shared have helped me to be more kind, loving, and caring toward all. It is easier now to forget about my own needs and to focus more on the needs of others. If we had to do it all over again, my response would be: Yes, yes, yes; a million times, YES!
