What now?

I'm back in my apartment in Cookeville, TN sitting in front of the computer which started all of this. The journey has finally come full circle and I am home. I've been here since Saturday afternoon just doing the basics of unpacking, cleaning the aquarium and feeding my fortunate to be alive fish, cleaning and filling the gas grill in preparation for summer, picking up my mail at the post office, avoiding stares aimed at my out of season tan, paying bills, uploading pictures of the trip (the album is complete so check it out!) and figuring out, what now? Now that all the basics of returning home are covered, the rest is a mystery to me. I've avoided writing this entry for about as long as possible because I don't have the answer to the question that remains; the only question that matters after a trip such as this one. What now?

How do I operate within my old life with the knowledge and experience I have gained half a planet away? I have friends all over the world right now wondering the same thing. This was a crash course in humanity with some of the best people you could possibly want to experience it with and some of the best people you could imagine receiving our efforts. I wanted a grand adventure and help out some desperately needy people and that is exactly what I got. And more.

I wasn't prepared for the friendships I would make along the way. I was hoping for nice people and looking forward to meeting those that would attempt the same journey, but to feel such camaraderie and form friendships so quickly was fantastically unexpected. In a way, I've been looking to get out there for a while and this was certainly the perfect opportunity to make it happen. I'm grateful for the opportunity.

That trip has come to an end but the work has just begun. I will be working closely with Jesper to try and create more housing for the many many many wonderful people who still need a home. There is a lot of work yet to do and I'm looking forward to every step. There are so many people and smiles and laughs with no home and even worse, no voice, in Sri Lanka. We have outlets, many outlets available to us in which to voice our grievances or to simply ask for help. We send money to those less fortunate but they aren't receiving it.

The Sri Lankans have protested in some regions about the lack of help because they hear of all the money donated around the world but they don't see any of it and what does it accomplish? They still live in tents on dirt floors and when the full monsoon season starts it will make living conditions quite difficult. It's not the same as here. Their voices aren't counted in the same way. Not to be grandiose, but we can be their voice now. It would be difficult for me to share their food, homes, and laughter and not try and help however I could. It would be an insult to myself to turn my back now. These feelings are far from unique.

The great majority of volunteers on this trip were first time volunteers like me and many have been deeply affected. Those I have talked with are planning fund raisers for future projects or have plans to return to Sri Lanka and help their new friends. These people aren't just stories anymore. They are people we know and have dined with in their homes at night and built homes with during the day. Life can be that simple. Once you know their touch, smile, voice, stories, and generosity, they become a part of you. They are you.

Oddly enough, it doesn't feel too strange to be here at home. I like my home really. It's just strange to not be there. I became so comfortable with my life and routine in Sri Lanka in just one month that interrupting it to return home was the same as when I left my comfortable air-conditioned life here for the unfamiliar smells and sounds I now miss. I miss the simplicity. I've run a few errands around my small town and the people here are friendly, smile and say thank you, but this life is routine for all of us and it's hard to appreciate it without some perspective. The gratitude of just me being me is what I really miss from the people of Sri Lanka. Everywhere you turn you are the recipient of giggles, questions, waves, thumbs-up, handshakes, addresses, and smiles. Miles of smiles. And miles of tents. It's a feeling that can only be experienced. Words are only words.

The world has sent a lot of money to well meaning causes and charities in the past 4 months for tsunami victims. Unfortunately, it isn't enough. We need to now hold those governments receiving donations accountable for the money we have sent. We need to be asking questions. Where is the money? What have you built? Why is no visible support being given in Galle and the surrounding villages? Why are there Sri Lankans repeatedly filling out forms for aid or housing and receiving no answers while 100s of millions in donations have been received by their government?

Write your elected officials TODAY by clicking on this link and emailing them. Ask them how we are keeping those funds accounted for. Please. Write now. These are wonderful people who only are receiving meager support by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) who go and physically build homes because your donated money is not getting there. Yet.

I will return to Sri Lanka soon and I hope you are able to do the same some day. If you are interested, seriously interested in visiting and helping in Sri Lanka, contact me and I'll be happy to give you some contact info for projects going on in the Galle area you can join. Book a flight, rent a room or house for longer stays and help some well deserving people.

Thank you for allowing me to express my feelings and occasionally rant. There are some things which are just worth talking about however, MOST things are worth smiling about and I'm thrilled to be able to share one with you. This is the spirit of Sri Lanka.

-Chris