Friday, January 31, 2014
Goodbye...
Today we loose two members from our team, Dr. Christina Dinh and Zayd Deen from Australia. They were invaluable to this project. We will miss you both. Thank you for giving of your time to help the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.
The Distribution....What a beautiful sight
The second floor has been converted into a homeless shelter with 5 families per classroom. Their clean laundry hangs drying in the morning sun from the balcony railings. Some of the roof is gone and the drainage is finally been cleaned in the courtyard. The school is still without hydro power, but it is still school as usual. Our team did vision screening on the children. After which we distributed the relief goods donated by hundreds of British Columbians solicited by Evan and Emma.
It is so gratifying to personally give donations to people that need it most.
Often times you don't know who your donation will go to, but in this case we did and it was very rewarding for our team. The boys wear the popular basketball uniforms donated by St. Thoms More Secondary.
It was wonderful to watch the teachers and the students modelling the clothes, trading the clothes and some clutching very tightly to the clothes.
We will be doing a distribution as well in Tanauan on Sunday. Tanauan had many casualties of Yolanda as it was the first landfall.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Dale's Story
After a few days in Tacloban City, we noticed a young smiling boy wearing tattered clothes hanging out near the front of our hotel. We soon noticed that he was hungry, so we started to bring him the breakfasts of those volunteers who did not feel like eating in the morning.
Talking with him more, we learned that he and his father had lived by themselves because his mother abandoned them and moved to Cebu city. He also had an older sister who lived in Tacloban City. Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda as it is called in the Philippines, changed Dale's life forever. Both his father and sister were killed in the typhoon, and the shanty house that Dale lived in was swept away by the water somehow he survived.
Now with no family and no home, Dale sleeps on the street in front of our hotel. Although he is 13 years old, he looks much younger and is malnourished. Because his mother is still living, he is not considered an orphan and does not qualify for the services offered to those children orphaned by the typhoon, even though his mother abandoned him.
During our time in Tacloban City, we see the harsh reality of the devastating effects of the typhoon. We see homes destroyed, power lines fallen, people without electricity, etc. We have also met many survivors of the typhoon and have heard about how they have lost family and friends.
Dale's story is the culmination of all these stories because he lost his family, his home, and his future. Without food, shelter, education, and the loving care of adults, he will not thrive. Life on the street is all that Dale knows now, and he cannot imagine another life. A 13-year-old boy does not have the ability to search for resources offered to the typhoon victims by himself. Nor does he have the maturity and understanding to know that a child should not have to live on the streets.
Hopefully one day soon, very soon, some adults who can help, will realize that this child should not be living on the streets, and then Dale's story will change for the better.
Max Cheng , USA
Talking with him more, we learned that he and his father had lived by themselves because his mother abandoned them and moved to Cebu city. He also had an older sister who lived in Tacloban City. Typhoon Haiyan, or Yolanda as it is called in the Philippines, changed Dale's life forever. Both his father and sister were killed in the typhoon, and the shanty house that Dale lived in was swept away by the water somehow he survived.
Now with no family and no home, Dale sleeps on the street in front of our hotel. Although he is 13 years old, he looks much younger and is malnourished. Because his mother is still living, he is not considered an orphan and does not qualify for the services offered to those children orphaned by the typhoon, even though his mother abandoned him.
During our time in Tacloban City, we see the harsh reality of the devastating effects of the typhoon. We see homes destroyed, power lines fallen, people without electricity, etc. We have also met many survivors of the typhoon and have heard about how they have lost family and friends.
Dale's story is the culmination of all these stories because he lost his family, his home, and his future. Without food, shelter, education, and the loving care of adults, he will not thrive. Life on the street is all that Dale knows now, and he cannot imagine another life. A 13-year-old boy does not have the ability to search for resources offered to the typhoon victims by himself. Nor does he have the maturity and understanding to know that a child should not have to live on the streets.
Hopefully one day soon, very soon, some adults who can help, will realize that this child should not be living on the streets, and then Dale's story will change for the better.
Max Cheng , USA
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Notes from Rodger
Again today, many teachers, nurses, corrections officers, and government officials came to get eye exams and eye glasses.
They came to the TWECS clinic not because they cannot afford glasses, but because there is no where else to go to get the glasses they need to do their daily jobs.
I heard of a couple of people that rode their bikes for over a 2 hour journey just to come to get eye exams and glasses. Everyone is so grateful for the service that we are providing. Everywhere we go people wave, in the street people stop us just to say thank you.
It is so gratifying in the eye glass dispensing room, to see peoples faces light up with joy at being able to see clearly again for both reading and for distance.
We ask them to look out the window and ask “can you read the side of the blue truck that says “CHOO-CHOO”…” and then you see a huge smile.
Rodger Konkle
They came to the TWECS clinic not because they cannot afford glasses, but because there is no where else to go to get the glasses they need to do their daily jobs.
I heard of a couple of people that rode their bikes for over a 2 hour journey just to come to get eye exams and glasses. Everyone is so grateful for the service that we are providing. Everywhere we go people wave, in the street people stop us just to say thank you.
It is so gratifying in the eye glass dispensing room, to see peoples faces light up with joy at being able to see clearly again for both reading and for distance.
We ask them to look out the window and ask “can you read the side of the blue truck that says “CHOO-CHOO”…” and then you see a huge smile.
Rodger Konkle
Lorna's Story
Everyday my teammates and I travel the streets of Tacloban on our way to the eye clinic. We witness first hand the devastation left behind from Typhoon Haiyan. Many of them describe it as a "war zone" that we see only in the movies.
Yes, this is like a war zone devastated by a very powerful enemy - Yolanda.
Most of today I spent in registration which would best be described as the "front line".
This is where we first get to meet our patients who have lined up for hours, some have waited before midnight and others have traveled for miles to receive free eye care and eyeglasses from the TWECS team and our 15,000 eyeglasses.
This, the front line in registration, was where I met Lorna.
This frail lady was wandering around the grounds of the Tacloban City Hospital with three young children just watching and clinging to her. Late in the day after registration was closed, I went over to talk to her. She hadn't lined up during the clinic, she just watched from a safe distance.
This is where Lorna's story begins.
It was November 8th, 2013.
All of the family was home together, Lorna, her husband and five children seemingly protected from the high winds of the typhoon. Then within moments their family was destroyed as Yolanda took over. Four year old Samantha who was sitting at the kitchen table watching her father cooking a meal got swept away so quickly and disappeared forever.
13 year old Matthew bolted to the second floor carrying his 6 year old sister ... and ended up saving her life. Lorna grabbed onto 5 year old Noel and struggled against the pull of the black water up the stairs to safety. Lorna prayed that her husband and her other 2 children were safe.
Sadly, 4 year old Samantha and her 11 year old brother James, did not survive and were never found.
Tragically these victims were just two of the estimated 20,000 people to lose their lives that day.
Brenda Tosoff
Most of today I spent in registration which would best be described as the "front line".
This, the front line in registration, was where I met Lorna.
This frail lady was wandering around the grounds of the Tacloban City Hospital with three young children just watching and clinging to her. Late in the day after registration was closed, I went over to talk to her. She hadn't lined up during the clinic, she just watched from a safe distance.
This is where Lorna's story begins.
It was November 8th, 2013.
13 year old Matthew bolted to the second floor carrying his 6 year old sister ... and ended up saving her life. Lorna grabbed onto 5 year old Noel and struggled against the pull of the black water up the stairs to safety. Lorna prayed that her husband and her other 2 children were safe.
Tragically these victims were just two of the estimated 20,000 people to lose their lives that day.
Brenda Tosoff
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Yolanda Relief Goods Container Arrives Finally!
Derrick and David departed from the eye clinic today to unload the shipping container that finally arrived in Tacloban after its long journey from Vancouver.
This container was graciously shipped by the Rotary World Help Network and was packed with disaster relief goods by Marina, Derrick, Evan and Emma and their friends.
Derrick and I arrived at the unloading compound this morning and were soon met by an Army 6x6 truck full of the Pilipino Army Stormtroopers.
With their help, in 4 hours we were able to unload and sort hundreds of boxes, then reload a wing truck for our upcoming distribution in Tanauan, Leyte and Tacloban City.
It must be noted that the hot, sweaty, tiresome work done today pales in comparison to the efforts of making this shipment happen back home in Canada.
It was an absolute pleasure to be a small part of what Emma and Evan started and the effort of countless others who have done so much to assist the people of the Philippines in their time of need.
Evan and Emma, thank you for allowing me to be part of your visionary work you are accomplishing.
Prior to Typhoon Yolanda, there was a considerable discrepancy between the rich and poor in this part of the world, and this eye project would have only focused on the poorest of the poor. But, things have changed, and were put into perspective for us. An affluent businessman told us yesterday, that Yolanda was "The Great Equalizer". The poor have nothing, and now the rich have nothing. So many people in the typhoon ravaged area require some help, regardless of socio economic status.
The Team would like to dedicate today's blog posting to Evan and Emma for their amazing efforts of preparing a shipment that will help so many that have lost so much.
Salamat (Thank You ) Evan and Emma
David Sakaki
Team Yolanda Tacloban
This container was graciously shipped by the Rotary World Help Network and was packed with disaster relief goods by Marina, Derrick, Evan and Emma and their friends.
It must be noted that the hot, sweaty, tiresome work done today pales in comparison to the efforts of making this shipment happen back home in Canada.
It was an absolute pleasure to be a small part of what Emma and Evan started and the effort of countless others who have done so much to assist the people of the Philippines in their time of need.
Evan and Emma, thank you for allowing me to be part of your visionary work you are accomplishing.
Prior to Typhoon Yolanda, there was a considerable discrepancy between the rich and poor in this part of the world, and this eye project would have only focused on the poorest of the poor. But, things have changed, and were put into perspective for us. An affluent businessman told us yesterday, that Yolanda was "The Great Equalizer". The poor have nothing, and now the rich have nothing. So many people in the typhoon ravaged area require some help, regardless of socio economic status.
The Team would like to dedicate today's blog posting to Evan and Emma for their amazing efforts of preparing a shipment that will help so many that have lost so much.
Salamat (Thank You ) Evan and Emma
David Sakaki
Team Yolanda Tacloban
Monday, January 27, 2014
It was a pleasure and an honor....survivors of YOLANDA
In four days our team has served over 2000 survivors of Yolanda. The day starts with a 5am alarm and ends when the last box of eyeglasses is sealed just before sunset. There is only 10 minutes for lunch. You are on your feet all day swatting mosquitos. And the sweat never ends. The ache in your heels, the burning in your eyes and the hunger pains are all worth it.....you will see why in the clip below.....
This will make you smile
Saturday, January 25, 2014
ONE PAIR AMONGST A HUNDRED
When we visited the astrodome a few days ago, there was an
international team doing a medical mission that tended to everything from
nutrition to blurry vision. The
head of the mission, Father Daniel said that by far the most requested service
was for the eyes.
|
There is currently no eye care available to the people and
definitely no access to eyeglasses. City workers, teachers and nurses borrow one pair of
eyeglasses amongst themselves at work.
|  |
 |
| Tacloban City Hospital Room after Yolanda |
 | ||||
| Our Triage Area |
 |
| Visual Acuity Area |
One team member, relayed a story of a patient to me that
affected him deeply. She is a
grade 5 teacher. Our team member
asked her how many students were in her class; she hesitated for a long while
and answered 33. Our team member could not understand
her hesitation so he asked….”how many before Yolanda?”……she answered 45.
 |
| POWERLINES STILL HAVEN'T BEEN REPAIRED |
 |
| Garbage is still in many of the streeets |
Friday, January 24, 2014
There are only a few international aid agencies left in Tacloban. People still have no power, no toilets and no homes. We have been asked to finish our clinic early so that people can see to go home. Home is a "house" built on rubble, dirt, garbage and sewage. We have been told it has been raining everyday for the last month and there is a rise in dengue fever and leprosy. Two team members have already fallen ill from the food.
This 30 second video says it allhttps://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151919301147633&set=vb.575937632&type=2&theater
Thursday, January 23, 2014
We will survive....
Today was a hard day, hard in so many ways. I finally saw with my own eyes the destruction that Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) did to the people of Tacloban. The ride from the airport was very quite as our team took in the destruction and suffering. We visited the largest evacuation centre, the astrodome. Around the perimeter of the astrodome, people had built a community with homes made of scrap metal and wood surrounded by pools of muddy water, lots of garbage, flies and running sewage. Children played and ran around the area as children do in our parks at home. From what I saw around me, I expected to see faces of resentment, faces of desolation of hopelessness and despair. I was surprised to see smiles as we received many warm greetings and gracious thank yous.
We visited the site where five large cargo ships had washed ashore onto the land. I walked down into the new shanty neighbourhood near one ship and saw a woman hanging her laundry amidst piles of rubble and garbage with her 5 year old daughter. I went to a vendor selling detergent for 8 pesos. I walked over to her and asked if I could buy 2 packages of laundry detergent. She politely answered that she only had one to sell to me for 8 pesos and I gave her 20 pesos. She gave me back 10 pesos, walked up to her little 3x3 store grabbed her laundry detergent walked back down and gave it to me with 2 pesos in her hand. I had to insist that she take the change. As I was walking away, she held my team member Brenda by the arm and looked into her eyes and said "Don't worry Maam we will survive"...that is the spirit of the Filipino people. The spirit that has humbled me today.
We visited the site where five large cargo ships had washed ashore onto the land. I walked down into the new shanty neighbourhood near one ship and saw a woman hanging her laundry amidst piles of rubble and garbage with her 5 year old daughter. I went to a vendor selling detergent for 8 pesos. I walked over to her and asked if I could buy 2 packages of laundry detergent. She politely answered that she only had one to sell to me for 8 pesos and I gave her 20 pesos. She gave me back 10 pesos, walked up to her little 3x3 store grabbed her laundry detergent walked back down and gave it to me with 2 pesos in her hand. I had to insist that she take the change. As I was walking away, she held my team member Brenda by the arm and looked into her eyes and said "Don't worry Maam we will survive"...that is the spirit of the Filipino people. The spirit that has humbled me today.
Monday, January 20, 2014
So it begins.....
On November 8th 2013 ….. the most powerful storm in the history of the Philppines, levelled communities in Samar- Leyte and killed over 6000 innocent people and children….3 of them were my relatives. I was born in Samar and many of my relatives live in Samar Leyte. Hearing the news was disturbing but the photos really hurt. It hurt because I have visited with these beautiful people many times and have served them on two eye care missions. I recognized all the buildings, roads and neighbourhoods that are now totally levelled. I was brought to tears when I saw the faces of the people and children who were suffering from so much loss. Like many others it's hard to comprehend why these disasters happen to such innocent people who have little to begin with; but I told myself, we can't understand everything and we can't dwell on it either. So when the opportunity came for me to lead an international eye care team to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, I couldn't turn it down.
We took great comfort from friends and family, but it was the overwhelming generosity and humanity from strangers that touched me deeply. The compassion from people helped to fill two containers full of relief goods. And tomorrow, 18 individuals from around the world are leaving their homes and businesses for 3 weeks and are prepared to accept difficult living conditions, work long days just to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
I am nervous…...I know it will be hard to see those disturbing images with my own eyes. I will continue to blog when and if we have access to internet.
Thanks
Marina
We took great comfort from friends and family, but it was the overwhelming generosity and humanity from strangers that touched me deeply. The compassion from people helped to fill two containers full of relief goods. And tomorrow, 18 individuals from around the world are leaving their homes and businesses for 3 weeks and are prepared to accept difficult living conditions, work long days just to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
I am nervous…...I know it will be hard to see those disturbing images with my own eyes. I will continue to blog when and if we have access to internet.
Thanks
Marina
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