My original intention in November after returning from Houston doing Harvey relief, was to volunteer in Puerto Rico.

Not so easy. It is only now that many relief organizations can provide the necessary support to put volunteers on the ground. My special thanks to Michael Novick with the JDC, who connected me with IsraAID to explore alternatives. We considered projects I could support and they described their extensive needs and logistical challenges in Dominica, a truly sobering list with too few people to tackle them. How could I resist?

First:  Dominica is not the same as the Dominican Republic – as I learned after a geography lesson, and which I’m sharing so you’ll know too. Dominica suffered near total destruction from Hurricane Maria in September 2017. Nearly 90% of their housing is now without permanent roofing, and much of the island is without stable electricity or communications. Prior to the hurricane, Dominica was a idyllic eco-tourist paradise, but, now the Island is facing an enormous recovery challenge. Most of us had no idea – I certainly didn’t. Here is a particularly wrenching article from November 2017: It feels like Dominica is finished’: life amid the ruins left by Hurricane Maria

And so this blog

I kept many of you updated via email while I was in Houston, and I got good advice that this time it would be easier to communicate broadly using a blog. Since I am fighting formats and unruly widgets right now, the jury is still out. But, the blog does allow me to easily post my Houston Harvey emails, which will catch you up if you’re new. They’re here. Creating Not in Kansas anymore also required me to reflect on and find a way to describe how I went from retired to disaster (relief). It’s posted as About Me.

I’d love to hear from you, with your thoughts and questions.  And don’t be surprised if I reach out with my own questions. I’ll be doing so much I’ve never done before – I’m going to need your wisdom, support, and expertise. And to those who held my hand, (and poured me wine), during my first difficult days in Houston, you already know how much I value your endlessly patient listening.

-Debra