American Samoa: eyewitness report
Monday, October 5, 2009From American Samoa, where a devastating and deadly tsunami struck Sept. 29, Bob Howard reports:
"I am constantly amazed and grateful that people who are personally affected by disaster set aside their own difficulties and find away to help others.
"An extended family from the west side of the island that hasn’t been able to go home is staying in part of our shelter. Last night, they prepared a Samoan meal for all of us in the shelter: garlic chicken, coconut rice and sausage and gravy.
“The elder in the group and his wife sit down first, and their sons stand up and serve all the guests before they eat,” he said. “That part of the shelter is their home, and the Red Cross workers were their guests….
“It was marvelous. We’re five miles from anything. It was totally unexpected and greatly appreciated.”
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters, but its volunteers often find themselves the recipients of similar care from the people they are there to help—as happened Sunday in American Samoa.
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