Article originally published February 3, 2021 Copy and photos by Ka’ōhua Lucas

Le Stanley is sorting through rice bags in a makeshift pantry.  Eventually those bags along with other food and essential items will be distributed to community members in need as well as families who have tested positive for COVID.  Le has been leading the effort for a couple of months now with a small team of KKV responders.  Her hui shops for non-perishable goods and home essentials, takes inventory, stocks, restocks, sorts, organizes, assembles ʻohana boxes, and then delivers to families.  

“I have to be reminded that we are providing a service to people who might not have the resources to stay at home for 10 to 14 days without having to go out and get food,” Le says passionately. “They might not have family members who are free to lighten the load, so we go in.”   

 Le is soft-spoken and humble.  She chooses her words carefully and thoughtfully before responding to my questions.  “Yes, I guess you can say we are like first responders because we're kind of on the front line in some aspects.  We try to be careful [when delivering items].  If not, we are at risk.”   

Le’s compassion for people and steady calm helps her navigate the day-to-day situations that arise.  Quick to pivot, she has earned the trust of not only those she serves but the staff as well.  

After graduating from college in 2019, Le’s original intent was to continue her schooling to become a Physician’s Assistant (PA).  The PA training program was born in the 1960s in response to the shortage of primary care physicians in rural areas.  A number of corpsmen and medics were returning home from the Vietnam War who had extensive field training and experience in dealing with trauma and emergency medicine, but lacked the credentials to become a certified physician.  

Le is still thinking about entering the two-year PA program, but for now she’s immersed in her current work.  Like a Physician’s Assistant who offers comfort, care, and hope for the community, Le, too, is finding joy in serving others.