I am writing this on September 4, 2005. Like most of you, I have watched, in tears and disbelief, the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Like most of you, I am donating money and time to try to bring the people some relief. I am struck by similarities in the words used to describe the USA south coast and those we GUW volunteers and the people in Africa use to describe the devastation of poverty in Kenya and Uganda. Read on for direct quotes from television and radio coverage of the hurricane in bold italics. My reflections are in regular type.

"Thousands remain stranded without food, water, shelter."

Often as we left a town or village in which Give Us Wings works, we did so tearfully. Lack of food is killing entire families. Polluted or no water is doing the same. People live in garbage heaps. Because, although we know we bring some relief and what we have done is working "thousands remain... people died here from hunger and thirst."

"The young, many times, are in
the arms of strangers."

We leave a village where 150 orphans gather with the 36 adults left trying to hold them in any way possible. Some children wander from house to house, living alone in broken-down houses or lean-tos. "How can this be?"

"I had to leave the baby in the
hospital intensive care."

We visit hospitals where mothers cannot bring their children home, or parents cannot go home until the bill is paid. Some stay for months while the families sell anything they might have and beg. They tell us, "We have nothing left, nowhere to go. It is very sad." "The old lie on the floor." People come by the thousands, some walking for days to be treated at GUW medical camps. The old are eased onto the ground to wait in the sun for any care we can provide by the scrupulous dispensation of our supplies. "A local doctor says, 'I need more medical supplies'."

"The crisis is far from over
thousands still wait."

"Thousands of people suffering from frustration and fear —they are sick. Who gets the medicine, food, water; how do we decide?"

Many times in Africa we said things like: "These things can rip your heart out."

"Relief is coming in trickles."

"I am tired of saying 'I am so sorry but I cannot help'."

"It is time now to take the burden off these people."

A message that the media sent during Katrina was:

"These are Americans. This is a disgrace." These people in Africa are people – sweet, struggling, suffering people. "This is a disgrace."

"People in third world countries are used to it, so it is easier for them."

I and any volunteer and the people in Kenya and Uganda can tell you, no, it is not easier, and people are not used to it." "It simply is not acceptable that we have this level of casualties."

"While giving hope and relief to the victims, the volunteers have seen unbelievable things." Please read the volunteers' articles in this newsletter. Listen as they help you to see.

They will also tell you that "despite the devastation, there is reason for hope." A Kenyan woman sits next to me, places the beaded bracelet she made on my arm. She says, "Thank everyone. I am learning to read. I am learning to live."

"Everywhere you look, there are stories of tragedy and courage to survive."

"The people say the solution is simple."

"They are hanging on by a thread."

"These are people just like us. It is our duty and our fortune to help them rebuild their lives."

"Please respond generously.

"Every little bit helps."

"Every minute you wait, someone is dying."

"There is a hero inside of each of you."

—Thank you