Hurricane Survivors: 'We Felt Forsaken, But Now We Are Not'
After six harrowing days in the Superdome in New Orleans, Shiprah Benlevi Downing and her husband Lloyd Coffey Jr., along with their 4-month-old infant, were airlifted to Baton Rouge. They were boarded on buses with no idea where they were going.
Exhausted and traumatized by the ordeal in the Superdome, they arrived in Mesquite, Texas, just east of Dallas. In both Mesquite and Baton Rouge they were met by loving volunteers who reached out to show them love and support. "The welcome we have received began to wipe away the loss - we don't know where we are going, but we are going to survive," said Lloyd.
As parents of an infant, they did all they could to survive in the Superdome. The first two days were okay, but then it became a hell on earth, he said. No more electricity, no more water, no toilets. The stench became unbearable.
Then the violence began. Lloyd said, "No one was safe. It was every man for himself. "In the dome we had no news. We had no idea if anybody knew or understood what we are going through."
Although still in shock, they are determined to stay together as a family and start over. Shiprah said, "We had just bought and furnished a home, and a year ago we were homeless. A year ago we lived under a bridge and over the course of this past year we 'pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps,' and we are going to do it again."
When their bus arrived in Texas, they were greeted by World Vision volunteers and staff member Cassandra Wyssbrod. Cassandra wrote, "The survivors would disembark and they would come through metal detectors and whatever belongings they had - next to nothing - was searched.
"Then they came to me and a group of volunteers where we helped wash their hands with sanitizer. We made every effort to make them feel welcomed and loved. I kept telling them, 'Welcome to Texas. We are going to take care of you now.' When we would touch their hands they often were overcome with emotion, as were the volunteers."
In brief snippets people would share their stories. Most had either been rescued from rooftops or had finally gotten out of the Superdome. "They were dirty, in shock, traumatized," said Cassandra.
They were given food, water, access to bathrooms and baby supplies and medical care. From there they were told where they would relocate. Cassandra added, "They need our prayers. They have lost everything."
Lloyd later told Cassandra, "After two days in the Superdome, we felt forsaken. Today I know we are not. Thank you!"
To date, World Vision has provided emergency supplies for more than 10,000 evacuees. Staff member Kevin Hunter wrote, "Heartbreaking to see tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals and families in these massive sporting event halls in Houston. Thousands of kids of all ages and many elderly with wheelchairs and walkers."
So many children and families are separated. But staff also sees hope. Kevin writes, "You see and hear the community coming around this desperate situation. Volunteers from churches, non-profits and other agencies and motivated individuals are coming out and signing up to help. You see kids from all over the region coming together and creating friendships."
Truckloads of emergency supplies and other products from World Vision warehouses in Dallas, Denver and Pittsburgh are on their way to stricken areas. The Storehouse of World Vision in Dallas is serving as a staging ground for World Vision's response efforts since many displaced families are being relocated to the Dallas-Houston area.
Goods will be distributed through a network of local churches, faith-based organizations and other partners.
Adds World Vision President Rich Stearns: "So many people need our help, and will continue to need our help for weeks to come."
You can donate to the World Vision effort by clicking here. Get more news and information at www.worldvision.org.
Photo from World Vision show the Coffey family that was sent by bus to Texas. They hope to rebuild their life.