Next, we were faced with the gargantuan task of recovering from the horrors and the massive destruction inflicted by that scorned lady named Yolanda. Apart from the thousands of dead and missing, the total estimate for damages brought about by Yolanda would reach close to a whopping $13B! Thousands of fishing community homes were wiped out by the storm surge, while inland communities were not spared by the strong winds.
Amid the misery and seeming hopelessness, many organizations and individuals would come together to help – in their own small ways – rebuild lives, create new homes and rekindle hope for a better future.
Habitat’s Extraordinary Englishman is about a young Londoner who was a walk-in volunteer in one of the rebuilding sites in Bantayan island. An amazing adventurer, David Wilson would leave the comforts of London to toil under the heat of the sun. Pls click on the link: https://cbholganza.com/2015/05/18/habitats-extraordinary-englishman/ .
Turning Life on the Flipside talks about two young buddies from New York, Ben and Rhodes, having just graduated from college, deciding to spend time dirtying their hands as volunteer builders. Pls click on the link: https://cbholganza.com/2015/06/21/turning-life-on-the-flipside/ .
In Helping the Tagbanuas of Northern Palawan, we learned that even the secluded former leper colony of Culion was hard hit and needed help as well. Amid the big challenge of bringing in supplies from the urban centers, people stepped up, rolled up their sleeves to help. And we persevered. Pls click on the link: https://cbholganza.com/2016/05/21/helping-the-tagbanuas-of-northern-palawan/
Volunteer organizations from across the globe not only sent support in kind, they sent their own people to help construct new homes, classrooms, community clinics. From the USA, Japan, Korea, Israel, Europe and elsewhere, kindred spirits gathered to help.
But aside from the homes that needed to be built, there was a need to address the trauma that the displaced people were still nursing deep within. There was a need for social activities, livelihood workshops, faith-based meetings, etc. In A Weekend To Remember, we started to develop the newly-built communities, and we marveled as young kids started opening up from their former traumatized state. Pls click on the link: https://cbholganza.com/2016/12/24/a-weekend-to-remember/ .
It has been 10 years since the big tragedy hit the Visayan islands. But with patience, with collaboration and with prayers, we were able to persevere. Life has moved on. We have – as we must – move on. The families – and the children – will remember, and they will pay the charitable act forward. Such is humanity. In times of extreme pain and misery, people will come together to help. Let us all remember that.
Color My World 