Today, MOBi arrived – literally and figuratively.
After our run this morning, Dave and I felt sure that MOBi is set to fulfill its mission of providing support to our community’s most vulnerable.MOBi has been out on a number of runs to work out the kinks and get the crew familiar with setting up and packing up. What has been a big unknown is what happens in between.
Would people come? Would they want what we had to offer? And perhaps most importantly, would we be able to help them?
It was a drizzly morning with heavy grey skies. The kind of weather that makes you worry about those who will have to contend with cold, dark mornings in the coming months.We arrived at Toonooba Park at 7:30 and set up. The crew were ready – even if it was an early start. I think we’re all getting used to identifying what hose goes where and which switches to flip when in order to bring the bus to life. We are very fortunate to have a great bunch of people who are there to help with MOBi. Not long after getting things sorted, Dave met a fellow who was walking around the carkpark near where MOBi was stationed. Dave asked if he’d like something to eat, and he said he would and he’d get his partner. I had nipped out to Woollies with Ace, one of our energetic young volunteers – to get some insect repellent and coffees. Sandflies and midgies love hanging out along the river. When we got back, the couple were sitting at the picnic table talking with the crew.
I grabbed one of our iPads with our questionnaire loaded and asked if they would mind me asking them some questions. They didn’t have to answer anything if they didn’t want to, but what they had to say could perhaps help us to make sure that MOBi does what it’s supposed to do. The woman – petite and with lovely smile and warm eyes – said she would be happy to answer anything that could help people who have found themselves in the same situation.We went through the demographic info and got to the question “Is there any other information you wish to share that may help us understand your story better and help get you the support you may need?”
She said that it was hard right now, because she knew that in order to get help she had to adopt a persona so that she could be seen. She had to talk like “they” talk, look like “they” look. And she just didn’t have the strength yet to do that. So she felt worse than invisible. She felt damaged and incapable of putting on that uniform of presentability to ask for help. She said that she’s usually the one who give help, saying that if someone came into her house and asked for some 2 minute noodles, she’d say “I can do better than that!” But that it was hard for her to ask for help. I said that’s because you’re a woman…it’s in our make-up to go above and beyond and make sure that others are taken care of before ourselves.
Putting the form aside, I asked her what she needed now. She said, “clothes and shoes”. Her partner needed clothes, too. She had left an unsafe environment, getting away with cuts on her legs and a lump on her head. I asked if she needed medical help, and she said that she was ok.I told her that I would get her some clothes and shoes right away. Dave had heard parts of our conversation and got his phone out and called his wife, Ree, relaying shoe and clothing sizes.I asked if she wanted to have a shower now and she said she wanted to wait until she had something clean to change into. Ree came armed with several bags of clothes, shoes and blankets. I asked if she wanted to have a shower now and she said she didn’t have any soap or shampoo. I said we had that covered.
I don’t remember when it was exactly, but I noticed that Dave was in the bus. Usually he’s walking around, chatting, taking or making phone calls. He was sitting in the driver’s seat and his eyes were teary. Now, I’m usually the one who can start crying at the drop of a hat, so to see Dave there getting choked up got the waterworks going.
We agreed that today was a success. This is what we’ve all worked so hard to see happen.
The woman came out of the shower after a little while, her face beaming. But also calm, as if something more had been washed away. She said it was the best shower she’d had in a long time.Then she said she felt like she could face things a bit better. She thanked us and said she was so appreciative.
I think I can speak for Dave, Michelle and all our supporters when I say that we don’t do this for thanks. We do it because we care about our community. We do it because we want those who are hurting to know that their community cares for them.
We’ll all be out again, more determined than ever that MOBi is doing its job. MOBi has arrived.
Ann Davie
For The Shelter Collective
