connection

Today, I went on a field trip to introduce a new disaster management program to a community about 40 minutes out of Honiara. And as always, the trip to the field helped to connect me back to the reason I am here.

The Horovou community originated from the weathercoast and moved to the area they currently occupy in 1977 after an earthquake buried their village. It left 5 people dead and one thousand people homeless. They relocated to this area which is now a home away from home. For me, it has connected many dots and answered many questions I've had about why some of the staff and volunteers from our office whose families origininate from this area and the weathercoast are so closely related. For them, our going there to conduct a program on disaster preparedness and risk reduction must seem ironic in the extreme.

We drove my favourite road down the West Coast of Guadalcanal and into the highlands. The Disaster Management Officer commented that he loves village air - the smokey simplicity of it - and I have to agree its nothing at all like my childhood Sundays and yet it reminds me of them.. a time for family, and to soak up information and to be connected to the world around you. A day for taking stock and for understanding; for making connections.

So here I am tonight. Alone again and yet connected to the work I'm doing if nothing else. And right now that seems as important as anything. And a great experience to have been part of. So maybe I didn't get to have Brunch with my tribe - but I got to spend the afternoon with a fully formed tribe looking to enahance their experience of this life. Roll on field trips - I surrender to your simplicity!!!