Listen to those who need your help

Everybody had somebody to worry about once the deluge began especially when you are far and you don’t know what will gonna happen next. As I was reading the news from the Philippines thru the Manila Times it came to mind that there are two basic facts stand out: this is the worst flooding Metro Manila has experienced since 1967, and the amount of rain that fell in a matter of hours was comparable to the rainfall that submerged New Orleans during Hurricane “Katrina.” The downpour lasted hours, but the misery will last many, many days. Hearing the news from the Filipino Channel that many dead, so many stranded and many have lost so much all you have to do is sigh and pity all these people. Even if you think your family are safe, you still worry and fear for other loved ones, the feeling of frustration will make you feel weak, and you want to help, but don’t know how..
Thanks to the Twitterers and Plurkers, FaceBook and blogs, in the internet concerned people helped focus the energies toward a common goal: disseminate the information and to ensure that cries of help weren’t ignored, that information would be shared and, by so doing, reduce panic and fear. A sense of community was created and bore fruit almost immediately when the rains subsided.
In this situation everyone here has a story to tell about someone they know who has been affected. Rich and poor were not spared. My relatives in part of Laguna, Novaliches, Cainta and in Tumana, Marikina are victims. They are in the roof of their houses and they could not go down because the current of water is too strong. What they did is just wait for the rescue to come. According to them they were rescued Monday morning and they were starve because could not reach them. They lost everything and after the flood they feel weak when they saw the thick coat of mud.
Difficult times can bring out the best in people and the Filipinos' Bayanihan spirit has been evident during this time. The origin of the term "Bayanihan" can be traced to the tradition which is used to be very common in the rural areas. When a family is moving to a new place, their neighbors would volunteer to help them. They would use a strong bamboo frame to lift the house stilts from the ground and men positioned at the poles would carry the whole house to the new location (the house was made of bamboo and nipa). The word "bayani" is Filipino for "hero".
Just as everyone has a story to tell about someone who has been affected, it is heartwarming to see how so many have also done something to help. The Bayanihan spirit, where everyone lends a helping hand to those in need, is still very much alive in the Filipino. We have seen how so many have helped clean up muddy homes, clear the streets of mud and debris, pack relief goods, and donate money, food, blankets, clothes and other goods. So many companies and individuals have done and are continuing to do their part to help out. There are drop off points for donations all over and people have been volunteering to pack and distribute goods. There are medical missions for those affected by the typhoon. Even students have volunteered to help in relief efforts. Baby clothes (for boys and girls and infants)

Blankets

clothes for adults

preparing to put in the boxes

My small contribution is to call my relatives here and inform them if they can send a small amount to help our relatives there. After which, I call my Filipina friends here ask a help and good that they agreed. I did not stop from there I also ask from the cousins of my hubby and they pledge to give me their help. I was happy when my hubby help ask for help from his boss who say yes to him. I was able to gather 3 boxes of used and unused clothing ( from baby to adult), blankets, soap, toys, and canned goods. Right after the packing I contacted the many cargo companies trying to get a discount for these boxes of donations. A friend help me call the one company, I positively get an answer of yes that the Philippine Consulate of New York will shoulder all the expenses and I will just get an approval from them provided that I will sent the box to the big organization in the Philippines which I presume the NDCC who is under the government. But I did not call the Consulate because I want to send the boxes to our organization which is the Citizens Crime Watch spearheaded by my cousin. So I tried again the company where I always send my balikbayan box, again they will give me a discount if I will send the boxes direct to Red Cross again I declined the offer. I said to myself if I could not find a cargo company who will accept and deliver our donations right to our organization I will shoulder the whole cost of shipment anyway per box is just $65 per box and there are also promos of $55 per box and its all picked up here in the US and delivered when it reach the Philippines. Luckily another friend called me and while we are chatting I ask her if she knows of a company that could give a lower pick up rate for my donation boxes. She gave me the number and when I get in touch to the agent he told me that he can lower the rate if I will state in the pick-up receipt that the boxes is for donation and I would put the name of my organization. I agreed and we set a date for him to pick-up. I feel good that the rate was $50 per box. Indeed, I feel relieved to know that the boxes are on its way and by the end of November the recipients can get it. In behalf of our organization once again I am thanking these kindhearted people (though I thank them personally) who unselfishly share whatever they could share to make some of the victims of the disaster happy. They don’t want that there name be mentioned in my post but I’ll just use their first name.

1. Chas
2. Delia and friend
3. Beth
4. Suzy
5. Marie
6. Gerty and Donna
7. Jackie
8. Carmela

Kindhearted friends my fellow kababayans(recipients) will surely be happy like me would say their piece (thank you) knowing that there are people like you who care and love them even if they don’t know who you are. May the good Lord continue to bless you.