The past two weeks have been very hectic for me as I was fully involved with the flood relief efforts in Trinidad. I felt so helpless on the day after the flooding as I was stuck at home in South due to the highway being impassable, and there was nothing I could do to help. I spent most of the day on social media, looking on in awe at the level of destruction and despair, and hoping for an opportunity to help. Late in the afternoon I finally found a way - my friend's church was partnering with an organization called "I Can" that was hiring a truck to take food, blankets and water up to the affected areas the next day. I could not think of a better way to spend my Sunday.
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| Loading up boxes of cooked food and other relief supplies |
The rain was still falling as we drove up the highway to meet our contact in Las Lomas. We drove behind a trailer that allowed us to drive up and take a ride when the water got too high. We had to take back roads since the highway was still impassable, and as we got closer to the areas which were hardest hit, it was heart-breaking to see people who were still stranded in their balconies, and families who had the entire contents of their homes outside in their yards, trying to salvage what they could. There was a lot of traffic, as there were many vehicles on the road, some distributing supplies like we were. Our contact took us to some of the streets where not much aid was getting to, and we started distributing from there. The families we met were very grateful for the warm meal they received since for the past two days, they had been surviving on pies provided by neighbouring communities which were not affected by the floods. Members from the group I Can met with families which were severely affected and took their contact information. There was no way that they could replace all that these families lost, but they committed to at least providing mattresses for them to sleep on.
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| Driving through a flooded street on the back of a trailer felt like we were going down a river |
Rains were forecast to continue until Tuesday, but thankfully, God heard our cries for mercy and, even though the rain fell on Monday, it was not too bad. The water on the highway had receded so it was now possible to access the flood-stricken areas from the South. I headed up to help my friend whose cousin had gotten flooded out in St. Helena. By the time I got there, the cleaning crew had everything under control, so they gladly consumed the roti I had brought up and continued their job, while I went in search of families who could benefit from the supplies which had been generously been provided by some of my supporters from South. As I drove through the side streets, I was referred to the homes that were the hardest hit, and it was really the Lord that showed me where to stop because in each place that I stopped, there were needs that I was able to meet with the supplies I had brought up. One of the homes that I visited was in a very bad state - much of the flood-soaked items were still in the house, and there was only one able-bodied man in the household. I mentioned this to one of my friends later that evening, and he quickly contact some of his friends so the next day, we were able to organize a crew to help that family with their cleaning.
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| Helping to clean the kitchen floor |
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| Moving out a freezer that had capsized and was full of rotten food |
While we were cleaning, we got a call that someone in Central had provided 100 cooked lunches so one of our crew went to collect and by the time she returned, we had finished all we could have done. The family was so grateful for the assistance we provided that they insisted that we should stay and share the meal with them. It was a great time of fellowship as we talked and laughed over the meal. We were privileged, not just to help meet their physical needs, but also their social and emotional needs as well in the simple act of sharing stories and laughter as they faced this crisis.
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| The whole crew |
We then began the task of distributing the cooked food in the community. Once more, God guided us to the families who really needed it, and were not getting help from other sources. We found entire apartment complexes where they had not received any supplies since the flood three days before, so they were very encouraged by our visit and the lunches we provided. We continued to visit these areas later on in the week as we distributed more food and other relief supplies which were donated by the multitude of people who wanted to help.
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| After spending all day cleaning, she was so grateful for some sustainance |
Churches also came together to provide relief to the communities hardest hit by the floods. Some became drop off points for those who wanted to donate but didn't know how to distribute. Others became shelters, which provided a place for persons to sleep and warm meals. Many other organisations and private individuals also responded, sending vans and trucks into the flood-stricken areas with food, toiletries, clothing and cleaning supplies to distribute to families in need. Every single family that we visited was grateful for whatever help they received. The flood waters did not discriminate between race, religion or social status. There were many households that lost everything, but many of them recognized that even though they didn't have any material possessions, they still had their life, which was so precious to them.
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| Children happy to receive clean and dry clothes |
As we moved around to the various households, we had opportunities to hear first-hand the stories of what these families experienced. One family escaped rising flood waters through their fire escape. They then had to place a ladder between their house and their neighbour's house which was a 2-story house, and climb across that ladder in the middle of the night holding a 7-month old baby in their arms. Another family tied their 13 year old daughter's hand to theirs using a belt because her feet could not touch the ground when they had to flee their home. They spent the night and most of the next day on top of a wall until they were rescued by the army. While they were there, they saw 3 people being swept away, and having to cling on to trees until they were rescued. Some families burst a hole in their ceiling and climbed up inside their roof as the waters rose to the top of their homes; other families had to spend the night on top of their roof. It was nothing short of a miracle that no lives were lost in this massive flood.
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| This mother walked through the flood waters with her 1 month old baby on a pillow held above their heads |
At Is There Not A Cause (ITNAC) our volunteers have been working diligently every day since the flood, helping to clean homes, sorting and packaging donations, distributing relief supplies and networking with persons who are willing to partner with us to get the aid to those who need it the most. There are some who were out on the field every day, while others came by after work or on weekends to lend a hand. Plans were put on hold as we responded to the biggest disaster of this scale locally. Because of our experience and track record of getting the aid to those who need it the most without any bias, many have entrusted us with their donations, and we have been working assiduously to ensure that these resources have been allocated equitably. In some of the homes we visited, persons asked us how we knew how to find them, because no one else had visited them or brought any supplies. Other persons contacted us directly through our social media pages on behalf of loved ones who were in need. We count it a privilege that we were able to be God's hands and feet and share His love by meeting these needs.
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| ITNAC crew ready to hit the streets of Kelly Village distributing food, toiletries and cleaning supplies |
I must recognize those who have been working behind the scenes in these flood relief efforts. Without the financial support of persons who purchase items to be distributed, we would not have anything to bless these families with. There are those who have dipped into their own pockets to purchase ingredients and cook meals for persons who they will never meet. Others have collected donations amongst their families and friends and colleagues and handed them over for distribution. Some have provided manpower to sort and package donations. Others have provided transportation for relief items. Some have hosted families in the immediate aftermath of the floods, giving of their own groceries to provide for those who had none. Others have been praying that God would hold back the rains so the waters in the rivers could subside. Some have provided lodging and sustenance to the relief workers (you know who you are - thank you so much!)
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| Cooking meals with love |
Matthew 25:37-40
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
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| This baby can sleep better at night because somebody gave |
For some households who may have lost their main source of income due to damage to or loss of equipment used in their jobs, they would need much assistance until they can get back on their feet. For those who may want to contribute to the flood relief efforts which are ongoing, these are the items which are still needed:
* non-perishable food
* sheets
* towels
* curtains
* underwear
* children's clothing
* toiletries
* baby milk and formula
* furniture and appliances
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