Last Thursday was not “normal.” Normal means for me a day that takes me to another school in my community of Morvant/Laventille, interfacing with children and teachers.
Last Thursday the not-normal took me in search of water, which I found not too far from my home in a light brown colour and another variety in San Juan by my family in a clearer version, and definitely more potable!
What is normal was looking for a solution to the hopelessness; what is normal is listening to the frustrations of the people who walk, drive, work in this community on a daily basis, who believe they put their lives at risk and are in no way encouraged for it.
Who come to share their knowledge with students and are bombarded by the “normal” of low literacy levels; traumatised children who have experienced loss after loss and feel battered in their minds and spirits regularly and don’t know how to respond.
SBAs to complete, deadlines to meet, and the only deadline they are accustomed to is that yellow tape running across the road or that flat line on the monitor that says another one is dead!
How do we wipe up the tears, the blood, the fears? How do we comfort the comfortless and bring hope again. How do we bind up the broken hearted when ours is broken? How do we reach out when our method of reaching out is criticised and demonised and support is gone.
How do we meet deadlines set in yellow tape and overcome?
Operation Salvation
19 First Caledonia Road, Laventille