Debriefing

Today I held my first 'normal' class since the cyclone hit. It was a small class as I had received apologies from some and not heard at all from others, who are probably still without power and/or phones. The ones who came needed to debrief and tell their stories about what had happened to them and to their friends. They are incredible people - nearly everyone told how they had quickly chipped in and helped other people they considered to be in greater need than themselves by volunteering or just being there for people. There is a lot of gratitude in this community about the miracle of there being no deaths and few serious injuries (though one of my students had received a head injury and had been hospitalised for a time because of that). The stress of the event was discussed - effects being noticed in themselves and in others were brought out. One student told how a neighbour had been stressed to the point of having a mental health episode and noticing with dismay the unkind reaction of those around him.

They are also learning on 'fast forward' how the community works which fits in exactly with their studies.

We eventually could talk about their studies and even got through the lesson, amid cups of tea, biscuits and more stories. They are learning and they are living their learnings. It is an amazing thing to watch, for me.