Posted: 1/19/05
By MaryHelen Swanson
Growing up in the Rush Point area, attending Sunday school at the little Lutheran church on the hill, and participating in a youth outreach team were all precursors to someday finding the one way to make a difference in the world.
For twenty-five-year-old Andrea Meyer that someday has finally arrived.
Very recently she learned of an opportunity to go to Sri Lanka to help with the tsunami recovery efforts through a group heading out of the Twin Cities.
A Sri Lankan native, Evan Balasuriya, owner of a popular Sri Lankan restaurant in the Twin Cities, and who has family in Sri Lanka, felt horribly helpless when the tsunami hit Dec. 26.
Determined to do something to help, he was featured on WCCO television seeking others who would join him for a month to do whatever they needed to do to help his family and fellow countrymen.
Meyer (formerly Andrea Sandstrom, a 1998 graduate of Braham High School) will be among 100 people taking the 24-hour journey across the world to help out.
There will be doctors and nurses, teachers, construction workers, general contractors and others who are all willing and able to share their expertise, energy and emotions.
At the tender age of 25, Meyerís life has already been touched by tragedy when her husband, Brian, was killed in a car accident in 2001. She discovered that such a life-changing event can make you look at the world in different ways.
Meyer has worked in several settings where medical expertise has been needed, and she said, sheís not squeamish.
She believes she will be able to handle whatever she comes across in this foreign land.
In addition, an aunt of her late husbandís will be going too, she is a nurse. The aunt is the one who actually encouraged Meyer to go along on the trip. Meyer said sheís glad sheíll know at least one other person in the group.
Meyer also believes this is finally her chance to make a difference. As she prepares for the trip, which includes being vaccinated for various diseases and starting a regiment of malaria pills, she is anxious about what she will find in a country that even without a disaster is so different than home.
She is not sure what she will be doing, perhaps cleaning, or passing out supplies or helping with medical care. At this point, none of it seems to be beyond what she is able to offer, she said.
The group will fly out of the Twin Cities with a cargo load of supplies and they will stay at an orphanage while working there.
Meyer is not sure if there will be children in the orphanage or not.
On Sunday, as she talked with her home congregation about her adventure, she told them this is the right moment in her life. She is currently not working, and has no other responsibilities. It is an opportunity to do something sheís always wanted to do.
Time is of the essence, however, and she needs to raise $1,500 for her own airfare, plus additional money for supplies she will need. In addition, the group will bring needed items to use in their work over there.
Meyer needs the donations before Saturday, Jan. 22. Monetary donations can be dropped off at Peoples Bank in Cambridge, (main office, leave with Bev), at the Rush Point Store or at the Post Review office. Checks should be made out to: Help Sri-Lanka.
Some business people have already offered some financial assistance and a collection was taken at Calvary Lutheran Church last Sunday morning.
There are supplies that are needed, but at this point the monetary donations are best. Please call Andrea Meyer if you can help. Her cell phone number is (651) 485-1414.
On the top of Meyerís personal items list is bug spray and bottled water. She can take 270 pounds of luggage with her. She is also planning to take treats for the children she anticipates sheíll be meeting.
If Meyer is able to find internet access she said she would try to update the Post Review on what is happening as she makes a difference in Sri Lanka.
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