"I found our first visit at Willowtree very interesting. We started by planting some pretty flowers in one of our neighbour’s yards and it set a really relaxing tone for the rest of our visits. The conversations we had with the residents were very genuine and to me, it felt like an interaction from human to human rather than from an organization to a client. During our walk, Lily said that God made us interact with the people we interacted with that day, and I agree with that. Many of our interactions were not planned but each of them were valuable. Many of our neighbours shared challenges they experienced, yet a lot of them showed a sense of joy and hope. The visit taught me that; like butterflies who go through metamorphosis, our lives can significantly transform when we help each other out."
- Verly Ndongmi (Community & Social Service Worker).
Drawing by: Verly Ndongmi.
“When we visit Willowtree, we try to make a plan to meet people. Today nothing happened that we planned to do. But God gave us meetings that we needed to have! “ -Colleen Stevens (Outreach Worker).
"I’d like to say after one year of uncertainty, I'd have it figured out by now. But I can’t.
I’d like to say after one year of being completely at home, I’d have it figured out by now. But I can’t.
I’d like to say after one year of juggling the stress alone, I’d have it figured out by now. But I can’t.
I’d like to say after one year of trying to avoid the sheer panic of it all, I’d have it figured out by now. But I can’t.
With all this, I thought my hope for stability wore off already, but seeing the residents of Willowtree make their appearances for even just a moment, brought some hope back."
- Sam Osman (Community & Social Service Worker).