Storytelling & Being Together

A lot of fun time, a lot of party times, just to break the ice and just to ease the stress of persons but there was a lot more sharing, I felt. The community was a lot closer, we embraced one another and so there was a lot more sharing, a lot more conversation, and disasters tend to do that to you. So for us, we were able to appreciate some of the simple things, you know…

– Monsterrat Resident, 2019

So simple story-telling was a big deal, learning about the way Montserrat did something before, that was important, trying to make sure that some things didn’t get completely lost, that was important.

– Monsterrat Resident, 2019

If it wasn’t for the volcano, I would not have been talking to elderly people from St Johns and Harris’ and Long Ground, I would have been speaking to older people from St Patricks, like my grandparents, but we got a chance to mingle with all of the old people from across the island.

– Monsterrat Resident, 2019

One Day At A Time

‘Another explosion in the night
Everyone tremble with fright
Keep your faith, don’t lose your mind
Let’s go on one day at a time

Another ash cloud rises high
Eclipse your soul, darkens the sky
But to this land our hearts are bind
Let’s go on one day at a time

One day at a time Lord
One day at a time
One day at a time Lord
One day at a time

A lifetime to build, just a second to loose
Just like sitting on a burning fuse,
But giving up never crossed my mind
I’ll go on one day at a time’

‘This land was a paradise
Lush green hills and clear blue skies
Not because we covered in ash we can’t let we country die
Don’t let it die
Don’t let it die
We can’t let we country die

you gotta keep faith
you gotta keep faith
Gotta stay in the shelter
Not like the food
Love your new neighbour
We in this together
So let’s be strong
Life must go on
One day at a time’

– Extract from Song 'One day at a time' by Arrow