Unreal, Surreal, Unfathomable.
The images from Christchurch over the past few days have been mind-reeling, it is a war zone, it's completely devastating, it's horrific, it's the worst natural disaster this nation has faced, and with the population being as it is, everyone knows someone who has been hurt, or lost loved ones.
Living at the other end of the nation leaves me slightly removed from it all, and not knowing anyone personally involved, but there is so much news, the radio is constantly filled with updates as well as on the TV, and you see and hear the pain and suffering, daily, hourly, and it hurts.
Today my children had a ceremony at school for a new building, and amongst the cheer and joy in erecting something for the community at large to enjoy was a minute silence of remembrance.
A minute where the hundreds of students, teachers, parents, visitors and officials joined together in thought for those hurting the most, and it's brought home again how real this is.
Through it all is also amazing encouragement. Yet again the people band together to help each other. A nation that has suffered in the past 6 months, this is the third earthquake for that region, and there has been the disaster at Pike River mines, yet the people give, and help, and love, and care.
I heard on the radio the call go out for blood donors for the blood bank, 24 hours later the call says to stop, there is ample supply.
I hear the facebook group, the Student Volunteer Army is re-assembling to go in and help clean up, listen to those who need to talk and offer support as needed - and in 24 hours there are over 10,000 volunteers, as I wrote this there are almost 15,000.
The Red Cross opens for donations, and the world responds - late this afternoon there were more donations from overseas than from NZ itself.... and it's needed, this is a small nation, and can only do so much.
Telecom enables all public phones in the region to have free calls. Air NZ puts on extra flights and offers $50.00 flights to anywhere in the country. ANZ kicks in $1 million dollars to relief efforts, local business The Mad Butcher put in $20,000, and the support comes in from around the world.
Response teams arrive from all around the world and help sift the buildings in hope for the living, and work through the buildings in the city clarifying those that are safe.
People offer tents in the disaster area for those displaced to have a roof over there heads. Trademe.co.nz makes a section devoted to the earthquake, fundraisers start up, accommodation is offered and so much more.
I am inspired by this young man - offering himself to do work for the highest bidder, and donate all finds to the appeal.
The response has been amazing, I am truly floored by how quickly the people of this nation as well as those around the world have moved in to do whatever they can to help.
For those who have lost loved ones, I offer my heartfelt condolences. For the city that is in tatters I hope that the toll is not as high as predicted... and for the nation that is hurting I weep with you, and offer what I may to help.
Showing posts with label NZ Dangers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NZ Dangers. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday, November 26, 2010
On a serious note... Reflections of Pike River
Over the past few weeks here, there has been a tragedy that is cause for national mourning.
In one of the coal mines on the west coast, there was an explosion. Coal mines are about the most dangerous type of mine to be around, they are more unstable, with more toxic gasses, and this particular mine has had several tragic events over 100's of years, that seem to occur once every 50 years. Almost a week after the first explosion, which trapped 29 men, there was a second explosion, which removed all hope of getting them out alive. There has since been a third explosion, and there will be more to come, but they still want to retrieve the bodies of the men for the families.
What caused it is still largely unknown, but there is excessive heat and gasses in the mine currently. We do live on the edge of a tectonic plate in this land, and there is regular movements of the earth resulting in changes on the surface. Around 3 months ago there was an earthquake in Christchurch causing over $4billion in damages, and for a small nation, that's a huge cost.
Not as large a cost as 29 lives, in the one place, at the one time, from the one tragedy.
The things that hurt are the young man who begged to go in to the mine early and got trapped, the man who got out because he was closer to the surface while his brother was trapped further inside, and the man who has a wife with 2 small children who will never know their father. There are many more stories as well.
They knew the risks, yet chose to go, they knew their lives could end any day, yet chose to live with the danger, than hide from it. Tomorrow I could be in an accident, yet that can't stop me leaving my house, taking care for known dangers.
We've picked up our family and moved to a country where the people we knew could be counted on one hand. There was an element of risk in deciding to do this. We've left behind family, friends, jobs, family pets, sold a house and belongings to go somewhere we knew about technically, but didn't know what the experience would really be like. I'm glad we have.
Our life is different because we took a risk, it's richer, full of new perspectives, and the children have had the opportunity to experience so much more from being in a new country.
The things that are encouraging from this whole event is the love and support pouring out from around the world. On Twitter and Facebook there are thoughts, prayers and love being said. There is a fund in NZ that was started by ANZ and they put in $100,000 to get it going. This small community at Pike River has become the focus of many over the past few days, and the people there know the world is thinking of them... and it helps.
One standout encouraging thing for me has been my local community. At the local shops last night there is a donation box for the cause, it was already fairly stuffed and in it were mostly notes, and very few coins. I love that people here want to give and to help.
I have been debating on wether or not to write this post, but this is a part of the the things we are discovering here in New Zealand, in a volatile land of danger and risk, there is love and camaraderie.
R.I.P Pike River Miners, may your loved ones know you cared for them deeply, and thanks for reminding the rest of us that we still need to live, despite the risks it may bring.
In one of the coal mines on the west coast, there was an explosion. Coal mines are about the most dangerous type of mine to be around, they are more unstable, with more toxic gasses, and this particular mine has had several tragic events over 100's of years, that seem to occur once every 50 years. Almost a week after the first explosion, which trapped 29 men, there was a second explosion, which removed all hope of getting them out alive. There has since been a third explosion, and there will be more to come, but they still want to retrieve the bodies of the men for the families.
What caused it is still largely unknown, but there is excessive heat and gasses in the mine currently. We do live on the edge of a tectonic plate in this land, and there is regular movements of the earth resulting in changes on the surface. Around 3 months ago there was an earthquake in Christchurch causing over $4billion in damages, and for a small nation, that's a huge cost.
Not as large a cost as 29 lives, in the one place, at the one time, from the one tragedy.
The things that hurt are the young man who begged to go in to the mine early and got trapped, the man who got out because he was closer to the surface while his brother was trapped further inside, and the man who has a wife with 2 small children who will never know their father. There are many more stories as well.
They knew the risks, yet chose to go, they knew their lives could end any day, yet chose to live with the danger, than hide from it. Tomorrow I could be in an accident, yet that can't stop me leaving my house, taking care for known dangers.
We've picked up our family and moved to a country where the people we knew could be counted on one hand. There was an element of risk in deciding to do this. We've left behind family, friends, jobs, family pets, sold a house and belongings to go somewhere we knew about technically, but didn't know what the experience would really be like. I'm glad we have.
Our life is different because we took a risk, it's richer, full of new perspectives, and the children have had the opportunity to experience so much more from being in a new country.
The things that are encouraging from this whole event is the love and support pouring out from around the world. On Twitter and Facebook there are thoughts, prayers and love being said. There is a fund in NZ that was started by ANZ and they put in $100,000 to get it going. This small community at Pike River has become the focus of many over the past few days, and the people there know the world is thinking of them... and it helps.
One standout encouraging thing for me has been my local community. At the local shops last night there is a donation box for the cause, it was already fairly stuffed and in it were mostly notes, and very few coins. I love that people here want to give and to help.
I have been debating on wether or not to write this post, but this is a part of the the things we are discovering here in New Zealand, in a volatile land of danger and risk, there is love and camaraderie.
R.I.P Pike River Miners, may your loved ones know you cared for them deeply, and thanks for reminding the rest of us that we still need to live, despite the risks it may bring.
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