Matthew experiences power of human connection in Hurricane Beryl aftermath

When I arrived in St. Vincent & The Grenadines to support with relief efforts for Hurricane Beryl, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My work as a clinical psychologist had taught me the value of being intentional, the inherent goodness of people, and the power of being authentically human, so I knew I would find that humanity everywhere I went.

Immediately upon arrival, I had the tremendous opportunity to meet and train almost 80 persons to work with children, support their recovery and build real, authentic, healing relationships with them. I am inspired and so grateful for the dedication, commitment, and effort that poured out to support children. Nothing is more inspiring, nor more powerful than seeing the heart and spirit of people willing to connect with each other every day and to help children build the world of their dreams.

I felt not only seen and heard by persons there, but I also loved that everyone spoke around the same concerns, the same desires, the same needs – not using the same words, but with the same intention. A massive group of people who simply wanted to help each other, to support each other, to be human.

In emergencies, we know that children can often be forgotten but, in this instance, they were being recognized as a necessary part of the fabric of the community. The outpouring of support was tremendous – I would arrive in communities to find that persons were already mobilizing supplies for children, already thinking about what could be done, and looking to me for the next step.

I think not only about the ripple effects that one person can make in the life of a child, but also the impact one child can make on the world – especially when that child is loved, supported, and valued. Through those 80 persons, over 500 children have been supported, in more than 30 communities – and I wake every day privileged to receive pictures of artwork, stories of resilience, and audio clips of songs that all remind me of the creativity to shape the world that lives within each child.

I felt like I was there for both a lifetime and a fleeting moment and I think often about my last message to the teams and the soft, gentle, brave, and authentic humanity required to heal and to help others heal. “Remember that support is always around you, in your community, in your circles, in your teams and nothing is braver than reaching out and leaning on your community.”

I stand humbled.

My role was small.

My experiences were many.

The humanity I witnessed – it was authentic, it was tremendous.

I stand truly humbled.