The Beslan Mothers are becoming more and more empowered with time passing, ... The meeting is a very good move.

Most bureaucracies take a while to get it together, and this is America -- we have so much and we can't get it together [in the face of Hurricane Katrina], ... So imagine a country that's very poor, with a clunky bureaucracy. The ability to coordinate and manage this sort of crisis, especially in a country with corruption, high levels of alcoholism and a top-heavy bureaucracy, is challenging.

They stay in their homes, ... There is a lot of suspicion. Fifty percent of the children that were held hostage did not return to school after the attack. Parents and children are fearful and mistrustful about school.

Although they are at different skill levels, working with a traumatized and bereaved population was new for all of them, ... And despite the fact that many had no formal training, the degree of caring and thoughtfulness these volunteers have is amazing. And most of all, their hearts are broken for the community, for what was versus what is.

It was impressive seeing how this NGO operated, ... It really operates like an excellent family organization. They protect each other, and they also have a role in protecting others. They're cheerful, earnest, competent and poor, and they also know how to blend pleasure and hard work.

When there is deliberate, intentional violence by man against man, very particular feelings are generated, ... The victimized population wants revenge. There's a breakdown of trust in your fellow man.