A Land of Contrasts

Christmas has come and gone. As we mentioned in our last blog, we ‘escaped’ to a resort on the Island of Cebu for some rest and relaxation. It was three days of white sand, white linen, white chairs, white boats and white rooms. The powerful and hostile ocean, which had done such damage to the Philippines, was now a beautiful and peaceful place full of colourful fish of every shape and size as well as an incredible variety of coral. Snorkeling was a highlight! While we felt wonderfully pampered in this luxury, we also felt somewhat uncomfortable leaving our colleagues and friends in the devastation of Tacloban.

We have already been back for well over a week. A new year is here and there is much to accomplish. At present we are working on the details for a distribution of various non-food items to 3,000 people in three locations. We are also finalizing plans to rent office space and an apartment which will be able to accommodate our five to seven staff members. Although both spaces still need to be fixed up from the typhoon’s damage before we can occupy them, we decided to go furniture shopping yesterday to see what we could find to fill them. Most of the furniture available was quite water damaged. Fortunately, we have been able to arrange to receive clean mattresses from Manila. Bed frames will follow later!

World Renew’s initial work here has been done by five volunteers – three of us as International Relief Managers (IRMs) and one volunteer couple, originally from Canada, who lived and worked locally for 15 years and are now living close to Manila. The five of us are under the cheerful and capable management of Mona Saroinsong who has managed previous disaster projects for World Renew in Indonesia, post tsunami. We are also delighted that we have been able to hire some local staff.

Charita is our Administrative Assistant who, in a post disaster project, has a widely varied and constantly changing job description -searching for grocery items (still very limited), translating, being a GPS for us in a city where many street signs have disappeared, keeping our kitchen/office organized in our temporary facilities at the hotel and yes, even some typing! Mae, the treasurer/receptionist at the hotel here, has agreed to join our staff and, with her variety of skills, languages and contacts, will be a valuable resource for us.

Up to now, we have been renting a van and the services of its owner, Ronald from Manila. Being a driver takes on whole new meaning as he has become our guide, food and supplies procurer, body guard and roommate. Our newly acquired World Renew van is on its way from Manila, along with yet another new employee named ‘Kitz’ who will, in time, be our construction advisor and superintendant. For now he will ensure that our new apartment will become habitable as soon as possible.

As we get to know the local people in three different communities (two of which are several hours away) and their strengths and needs, staff and transportation are essential to help us to make assessments and develop relationships.

2014 in the Philippines, post Yolanda, has many challenges. We trust that God will keep us on the right path, providing solutions and giving us patience as we deal with a region suffering froma severe shortage of resources and an abundance of needs. We are learning to understand this culture and to appreciate its attitudes. It is a joy to work with the people! On the horizon for us are the development of sound proposals and plans for such things as livelihood restoration, small business recapitalization, and permanent home reconstruction. All this made possible because of the generosity of World Renew’s donors and its partners!

Along with a few favourite photos, we sign off wishing you and your families’ a blessed year in 2014!