"Be flexible so you don't get bent out of shape."

On the first day of service to the Anse la Raye community, the volunteers moved out to their host organizations for introductions and the beginnings of work. Our nine volunteer groups--preschool, infant school, primary school, secondary school, health center, Roving Care Givers, computer literacy, labor and earth boxes--were warmly received owing to the strides made by the first team in January. At the secondary, primary and one of the preschools, the students were gathered in assembly especially convened to greet us. Warren made a point of personally introducing team members to their hosts.

Volunteers in teaching roles readily engaged in classroom work, bringing some fresh ideas and approaches. It was a day in which the volunteer groups began to zero in on, and frame their approaches according to the requests and needs of the hosts. At the evening meeting there was a near unanimous affirmation in answer to Warren’s question: Did you have a good day?

The evening ended with a dinner at Julietta’s overlooking Marigot Bay. The murmur of satisfied voices along with the smiles and laughter of a team that has come together effortlessly marked the successful first day of engagement with the people of St Lucia.

- Ron