The jungle is alive and taking back what was once villages and communities. Tony Greenidge, in the heart of Grenada, is incredulous to the devastation of his homeland and the rapid jungle growth already emerging through the crumbling foundations of homes and streets. He knew it would be bad, but nothing prepared him for this. “It’s terrible. It’s a lot more than anyone could have ever imagined,” said Greenidge via telephone from the tiny island. “The place is green and everything is coming back so quickly.” Many communities still resemble tent cities -- tarpaulins serving as makeshift roofs to stem the rains that have fed the jungle assault on the towns. It’s been weeks, but victims caught in its wake would simply name it Ivan the Terrible, a devastating hurricane that crippled the Caribbean. “Based on the destruction it is way more than one could have imagined. It causes one to cry. It’s unbearable.” Greenidge was in Grenada for a family reunion. He bordered his plane to return to Canada when Ivan hit and for days downed communications led to endless days and nights of worry. In Canada, Greenidge appealed to Wetaskiwin to help and Wetaskiwin, as always, obliged and donated money to help rebuild the island flattened by the Category 4 storm. Ivan claimed the lives of several people in Grenada, destroyed a prison, letting criminals loose into the streets. Roving bands looted stores as the system collapsed. U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard later stated virtually every major building in St. George’s, Grenada’s once-quaint capital of English Georgian and French provincial buildings, has suffered structural damage. Hosting a silent auction and supper at the Sacred Heart Parish hall, Oct. 23, the Knights of Columbus, of whom Greenidge is Grand Knight, the Catholic Women’s League, the parish organization and Sacred Heart School organized the event to raise awareness and a few dollars for Grenada’s reconstruction efforts. The night raised more than $11,000, with approximately 200 people in attendance. Money donations are still being welcomed for the relief effort. Generous in heart, Greenidge now knows by actually surveying the damage, the money can only go so far. But he’s comforted that globally, aid is also on the ground rebuilding and getting needed infrastructure in place. And it’s more than starting from scratch. Not only do the island inhabitants have to fight back the jungle, they then have to clear the rubble and rebuild -- a process Greenidge has estimated may take decades. “Because of the amount of rain and the sunlight the vegetation is growing all where people used to live. Some people are returning to their homes, but most are still living in little sheds.” Reprinted from wetaskiwintimes.com