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Lending a hand in Hawaii
Published 19 十二月 2024
Each year, Burgess employees have the opportunity to participate in impactful volunteer work around the globe. From Poland to the Philippines, individuals have provided aid where it’s needed the most, making a difference in communities affected by crisis while immersing themselves in life-changing experiences.
This year, the focus was on wildfire relief in Lahaina, Hawaii, following the most devastating wildfires in US history. Over 12,000 residents were displaced, and entire neighbourhoods were reduced to ash. Harriet van Hengel, Hamish Kemp, and Kevin Renshaw were the three Burgess team members selected to join All Hands and Hearts (AHAH), a disaster relief organisation, in the challenging but rewarding task of helping local families clear their land and prepare for rebuilding.
We sat down with Harriet and Hamish to hear all about it.
Why did you volunteer for this?
For Harriet, the decision to put her name forward came from a desire to give back: ‘Often these devastating natural disasters are forgotten about in the months and years after they occur, so it was nice to be able to remind people that efforts are still being made and support is still needed. It was also amazing to be given the opportunity to see Hawaii, somewhere I’ve never been before, while helping the community.’
Hamish shared a similar sense of purpose: ‘I have never volunteered before, so I was keen for a new experience, and Hawaii was an exciting place to go!’
What was the purpose of the trip?
The volunteers’ mission was to assist in clearing debris and preparing properties so that families could begin rebuilding their homes. The destruction left behind by the fires in Lahaina had displaced over 12,000 residents, leaving many with no means to start anew.
As Hamish explained, ‘most of the people affected come from very poor backgrounds and simply don’t have the resources needed to rebuild their houses. Hawaii is an incredibly expensive place to live, and the majority of local people are working three or four jobs just to put food on the table.’
Harriet highlighted the human impact: ‘After speaking with some locals, it was clear that if they had to go back themselves and clear the remnants of this tragic event, the impact on their mental health would have been detrimental. For some, the job wouldn’t have been manageable, especially for the unwell, disabled, older generation or single-parent families.’
Day-to-day life as a volunteer
The days were long and physically demanding, but the volunteers embraced the challenge.
‘We’d start the day bright and early around 5:30,’ Harriet recalled. ‘At 7:00, we would have our morning meeting and confirm what we would be doing for the day. After a 45-minute drive to the worksite, we’d be briefed on the tasks for the day – usually clearing debris left by the engineer corps – and trained on any equipment or tools. After lunch, it was straight back to work until the vehicles were packed up at 15:15 to head back to camp for the 16:00 debrief.’
Hamish described a similar routine: ‘I’d be up most mornings between 5:00 and 6:00 to phone home. After breakfast and the briefing, we’d drive to the site and work on clearing burnt tree stumps, fencing, driveways, and more. It was very manual work but incredibly rewarding.’
What made the experience special?
Despite the basic conditions – living in tents and showering outdoors – both Harriet and Hamish found the experience profoundly fulfilling.
‘The local people were so grateful to the help AHAH was providing,’ Hamish said. ‘We met some really interesting people from all over the world. It was certainly a new experience being the only Brits in the group!’
Harriet echoed his sentiments: ‘The days were hot, the work was hard, the camp was basic, but there was such a positive energy, attitude, and atmosphere that was truly infectious. We met some truly inspirational people and being greeted so hospitably in a place that has suffered such tragedy was touching.’
Reflections and looking ahead
For both volunteers, the trip was life changing. Harriet summed it up: ‘All Hands and Hearts is definitely a charity that I know I will continue to follow, support, and hopefully volunteer for again!’
Hamish added: ‘I was slightly apprehensive about what to expect as I’d never volunteered before, but it was an incredibly rewarding and eye-opening experience.’
Burgess Happy World continues to demonstrate the power of community, compassion, and action. Through their annual volunteering trips, the Burgess team is not only helping those in need but also creating a lasting impact on the volunteers themselves.
To donate to support the vital work of All Hands and Hearts, please visit the Burgess Hawaii giving page.
Lending a hand in Hawaii
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