Serving and Learning in Appalachia

Thought for the day, offered by Wendy from a South African Global Volunteers experience: “UMBUNTU: I am because we are.”

Journal entry for Saturday and Sunday: Nancy

Our day started out flying in airplanes or riding in a car. We all met at Beards Fork, WV.
One way in, one way out. Our team leader is Artie, a native. He is a book of stories about Beards Fork, WV. The day consisted of getting to know one another and listening to live music by the children. The group consists of Rona, Wendy, Polly, Rhonda, Carol, Jim, Jen, Cathy, Heidi, Nancy, Kris, Mariann, Gary, Rosie, and six children: Alex, Meghan, Travis, Skylar, Grady, and Cooper, who is going to keep us on our toes. I appointed myself the official photographer. Lights out at 2200.

Sunday, July 19

The stream is running
The birds are chirping
The sky is blue, but
It’s a good day when you can start off with coffee.

The morning consisted of coffee, eating, and conversations
Playing the piano
Assembly line of food with everyone participating
More piano playing

The afternoon consisted of our orientation meeting with Artie at the helm and a drive around the area with Artie, Wendy, and Rhonda driving.
An excellent dinner of lasagna, pasta, salad, veggies, and bread, in which I consumed way too much bread.

After dinner, we got to meet John David. He is a wealth of information about Beards Fork and West Virginia. He also explained the importance of our group and projects completed past and present. Who knew Beards Fork was at the end of a "holler?" There is a wide variety of professions represented here, although teachers outnumber the rest of us. There are also medical, retired people, domestic parents, a behind-the-scenes celebrity in the entertainment field, a librarian, and six children. We will be working alongside with SALS—the Southern Appalachian Labor School.

Our evening ended late. Everyone was exhausted. Looks like we have a good team.