Did you know?
In the Philippines it is a common greeting to raise your eyebrows. I was told by a local this is the most acceptable way to acknowledge that you notice someone, even more than a smile. I tried it and it works. I raise my eyebrows, they raise theirs back. If you are ever in the Philippines, now you know how to appropriately greet people in public.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Manila Day 3 - "this is a disaster"
Today, we went Northwest of the city. This area was near a lake at the bottom of a hill. As the water up stream became too much, those communities opened the dams a bit to allow water to flow...and so on and so on until it reached this community. As you can imagine this community is now massively flooded. Unfortunately, there is no where else for the water to go, it has reached it's destination. They are predicting it will take months to recede. Months!
Thoughts for today...
Dengue fever: there are few things in life that I am afraid of. Living overseas, specifically in SE Asia, there are two things I fear. First, being bitten by a dog with rabbis. There are so many street dogs around. Many of them can be aggressive. That scares me. Second, is dengue fever. It has no vaccine. It has no cure. If you get it, the remedy is stay hydrated and basically suffer. If you get too sick then go to the hospital for an IV or blood transfusion. I don't like things I can't prevent, I want to be actively protecting myself against such illnesses. I read in the paper this morning that there are rising cases of dengue in our area. The standing water is breeding mosquitoes. A certain kind of mosquito carries dengue. There are obviously an increasing number of those mosquitoes, thus an increasing number of dengue cases. I covered myself in DEET this morning just praying it would ward off the mosquitoes. I was lucky to remain bite free today. Many of the people, including very young children weren't so lucky. I saw so many people covered in mosquito bites all over their bodies. In our proposal we planned to distribute mosquito nets, that could be a very good thing right now to help protect against diseases like dengue.
evacuation site: in the community we visited today we noticed many abandoned homes. The water was chest or neck high, we were in one of the make shift rafts that we rented from the locals. One of the people I am traveling with said those evacuated communities had an eery silence, I must agree. We then stopped in at one of 540 evacuation sites. There are over 300 families living in this small school house. Most classrooms house multiple families. As we walked around the numbers ranged from 11-21 families per room. These are not large rooms. They've moved the classroom furniture to the roof so the families can sleep on the floor. Each family has staked a claim, a small square in the room. In that small square they store the remainder of their worldly possessions and the family members spend time there (eating, sleeping, cooking, waiting). The first floor of the building is flooded. School was scheduled to open next week. Not going to happen at this location because there is no where for the approximately 2,000 people living there to go. The government is looking for an alternative location to start school.
attitude: the people we are visiting have lost all their material possessions, many have lost loved ones. They currently live in water world with a lack of food and often in cramped quarters with previous strangers. You would think these facts would entitle them to being grumpy and ungrateful. I can't say I wouldn't be feeling those things in similar circumstances. What we are finding instead are people with smiles on their faces and an incredible sense of humor. We came across a man today who was trying to salvage anything left in his home and take it to the evacuation site. He's in neck deep water and piling things he finds in his make shift raft. He sees us. He smiles, then he says, "this is a disaster." He doesn't say it like he is bitter or angry. He says it with a hint of sarcasm and a smile - I could picture him saying, "now this is what I'd call a disaster." People have been very welcoming to us, even as they trudge through the murky waters and I sit relatively dry in my rented raft. I learned about a bit about life today, we can choose our response to things. Your worst nightmare can come true and you can grow depressed and angry, or you can keep smiling and find moments worth laughing about. I hope I would have such a gracious attitude under such difficult circumstances.
the storm that will not end: Typhoon Parma spent most of the day hanging out in one northern region of the Philippines, then it turned back toward our direction. The rains had stopped this morning, but now they are back. Just what this place needs - more water! When will it end? We are told there are four more months of rainy season. Four. More. Months. Yikes!
Thoughts for today...
Dengue fever: there are few things in life that I am afraid of. Living overseas, specifically in SE Asia, there are two things I fear. First, being bitten by a dog with rabbis. There are so many street dogs around. Many of them can be aggressive. That scares me. Second, is dengue fever. It has no vaccine. It has no cure. If you get it, the remedy is stay hydrated and basically suffer. If you get too sick then go to the hospital for an IV or blood transfusion. I don't like things I can't prevent, I want to be actively protecting myself against such illnesses. I read in the paper this morning that there are rising cases of dengue in our area. The standing water is breeding mosquitoes. A certain kind of mosquito carries dengue. There are obviously an increasing number of those mosquitoes, thus an increasing number of dengue cases. I covered myself in DEET this morning just praying it would ward off the mosquitoes. I was lucky to remain bite free today. Many of the people, including very young children weren't so lucky. I saw so many people covered in mosquito bites all over their bodies. In our proposal we planned to distribute mosquito nets, that could be a very good thing right now to help protect against diseases like dengue.
evacuation site: in the community we visited today we noticed many abandoned homes. The water was chest or neck high, we were in one of the make shift rafts that we rented from the locals. One of the people I am traveling with said those evacuated communities had an eery silence, I must agree. We then stopped in at one of 540 evacuation sites. There are over 300 families living in this small school house. Most classrooms house multiple families. As we walked around the numbers ranged from 11-21 families per room. These are not large rooms. They've moved the classroom furniture to the roof so the families can sleep on the floor. Each family has staked a claim, a small square in the room. In that small square they store the remainder of their worldly possessions and the family members spend time there (eating, sleeping, cooking, waiting). The first floor of the building is flooded. School was scheduled to open next week. Not going to happen at this location because there is no where for the approximately 2,000 people living there to go. The government is looking for an alternative location to start school.
attitude: the people we are visiting have lost all their material possessions, many have lost loved ones. They currently live in water world with a lack of food and often in cramped quarters with previous strangers. You would think these facts would entitle them to being grumpy and ungrateful. I can't say I wouldn't be feeling those things in similar circumstances. What we are finding instead are people with smiles on their faces and an incredible sense of humor. We came across a man today who was trying to salvage anything left in his home and take it to the evacuation site. He's in neck deep water and piling things he finds in his make shift raft. He sees us. He smiles, then he says, "this is a disaster." He doesn't say it like he is bitter or angry. He says it with a hint of sarcasm and a smile - I could picture him saying, "now this is what I'd call a disaster." People have been very welcoming to us, even as they trudge through the murky waters and I sit relatively dry in my rented raft. I learned about a bit about life today, we can choose our response to things. Your worst nightmare can come true and you can grow depressed and angry, or you can keep smiling and find moments worth laughing about. I hope I would have such a gracious attitude under such difficult circumstances.
the storm that will not end: Typhoon Parma spent most of the day hanging out in one northern region of the Philippines, then it turned back toward our direction. The rains had stopped this morning, but now they are back. Just what this place needs - more water! When will it end? We are told there are four more months of rainy season. Four. More. Months. Yikes!
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Manila Day 2
newspaper: in the paper this morning there was a full page add about what to do to take care of your automobiles engine in the event of a flood. It was actually an interesting read. I also read an editorial where the guy is talking about a natural disaster providing an opportunity to reassess priorities - people, not stuff ,are what matter most.
work: I spent the morning working on grant proposals and submitted one just after lunch. Then we went to the field.
volunteers: our national (local) partner has an amazing network of volunteers. Over 200 volunteers have packed around 9,000 food packages. They also help distribute the goods. Our partner is the local church. Regardless how you feel about God, it is my belief that the local church, when functioning right, has incredible potential to be a force for good in the world. Today, I witnessed the local church at it's best - people giving selflessly to anyone who had a need. They were giving with a smile and willing to get their hands dirty (sometimes their whole bodies, literally). It was inspiring!
water world: Since arriving in Manila, I'd only seen paved streets that were wet with rain, but definitely not flooded. Today, I saw something I have never seen before. We drove a short ways to the south part of town and the picture is completely different. Waist high water. We are not talking clean water either, this stuff is filthy. It stinks. There is all kinds of trash and debris floating in the water. People have no where to go, so they just walk in it. The kids swim in it. They have made these make shift boats out of anything they can find, including a bath tub. They transport stuff, women and children on these boats through the streets. There were also a number of air beds being used as rafts. In one area, they have started building raised walkways made of sticks. Their ingenuity is astounding! Our host tells us that people are developing rashes because of the water - I'm not surprised. The food that had been given in this area in the beginning is already gone or growing stale in homes with no electricity. For this distribution we only have 400 food kits. There are thousands of desperate people living without basic necessities. We are driven in to the community in a giant military truck, riding in the back with the food. If I had enough, I would have given something to everyone.
dignity: as I watched the crowds form to receive our measly offering I was struck by the question, how can we restore their dignity? earlier in the day as I was working on grant proposals it had come up that some of the needed items were underwear and sanitary napkins. I am the only woman on this team of men and they considered sanitary napkins an unnecessary need. I made a case to include them as part of the hygiene kit. I watched many of the women at the distribution. Many were in their pajamas (not uncommon in Asia in public), but the difference was lack of undergarments. I noticed them trying to retain their modesty (very important in Asian culture). A nearly impossible feat while wearing cotton pajamas in waist high water. I know food matters for survival. I know in order to make food that kitchen items such as a pot to cook rice are necessary. I know the need for clean water. I don't deny the value of any of these things. On a list of competing priorities with limited resources, some things have to go to the bottom of the pile. After my experience today, I've decided to those who survive something like this disaster restoring dignity is also a worthwhile goal. At least for the women, sanitary napkins and undergarments are an important part of that response.
contrasts: after spending the afternoon in the water and muck we went back to the part of town where my dry hotel is, with my comfortable bed and warm shower. We ate dinner at an Italian restaurant until I was full to the rim. I thought about how in my surroundings it was easy to forget what I had just seen and experienced. it was easy to forget that there are people up the road who don't know what they are going to eat tonight for dinner and don't have a dry place to sleep. I wondered how often in my day to day life I am oblivious to the struggles of those around me. How often do my comforts blind me to the needs of others. I'm sure it is more times than I can possibly count.
work: I spent the morning working on grant proposals and submitted one just after lunch. Then we went to the field.
volunteers: our national (local) partner has an amazing network of volunteers. Over 200 volunteers have packed around 9,000 food packages. They also help distribute the goods. Our partner is the local church. Regardless how you feel about God, it is my belief that the local church, when functioning right, has incredible potential to be a force for good in the world. Today, I witnessed the local church at it's best - people giving selflessly to anyone who had a need. They were giving with a smile and willing to get their hands dirty (sometimes their whole bodies, literally). It was inspiring!
water world: Since arriving in Manila, I'd only seen paved streets that were wet with rain, but definitely not flooded. Today, I saw something I have never seen before. We drove a short ways to the south part of town and the picture is completely different. Waist high water. We are not talking clean water either, this stuff is filthy. It stinks. There is all kinds of trash and debris floating in the water. People have no where to go, so they just walk in it. The kids swim in it. They have made these make shift boats out of anything they can find, including a bath tub. They transport stuff, women and children on these boats through the streets. There were also a number of air beds being used as rafts. In one area, they have started building raised walkways made of sticks. Their ingenuity is astounding! Our host tells us that people are developing rashes because of the water - I'm not surprised. The food that had been given in this area in the beginning is already gone or growing stale in homes with no electricity. For this distribution we only have 400 food kits. There are thousands of desperate people living without basic necessities. We are driven in to the community in a giant military truck, riding in the back with the food. If I had enough, I would have given something to everyone.
dignity: as I watched the crowds form to receive our measly offering I was struck by the question, how can we restore their dignity? earlier in the day as I was working on grant proposals it had come up that some of the needed items were underwear and sanitary napkins. I am the only woman on this team of men and they considered sanitary napkins an unnecessary need. I made a case to include them as part of the hygiene kit. I watched many of the women at the distribution. Many were in their pajamas (not uncommon in Asia in public), but the difference was lack of undergarments. I noticed them trying to retain their modesty (very important in Asian culture). A nearly impossible feat while wearing cotton pajamas in waist high water. I know food matters for survival. I know in order to make food that kitchen items such as a pot to cook rice are necessary. I know the need for clean water. I don't deny the value of any of these things. On a list of competing priorities with limited resources, some things have to go to the bottom of the pile. After my experience today, I've decided to those who survive something like this disaster restoring dignity is also a worthwhile goal. At least for the women, sanitary napkins and undergarments are an important part of that response.
contrasts: after spending the afternoon in the water and muck we went back to the part of town where my dry hotel is, with my comfortable bed and warm shower. We ate dinner at an Italian restaurant until I was full to the rim. I thought about how in my surroundings it was easy to forget what I had just seen and experienced. it was easy to forget that there are people up the road who don't know what they are going to eat tonight for dinner and don't have a dry place to sleep. I wondered how often in my day to day life I am oblivious to the struggles of those around me. How often do my comforts blind me to the needs of others. I'm sure it is more times than I can possibly count.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Manila - inital and random thoughts
McDelivery? McDonald's delivers in Manila. Twenty-four hours a day and they seem to advertise it everywhere.
Rain, rain go away. This place has already experienced a major typhoon, and extreme flooding as a result. Super typhoon number two is on it's way and it is raining quite a bit. I am told it started in the afternoon and hasn't stopped. Silly girl, I came to a typhoon without a rain coat!
Guns and security check. The only thing I've seen of Manila is the drive from the airport to my hotel. There seem to be a lot of billboards asking people to put down or give up their firearms. One said "Be a Peacekeeper" and then had some difficult to decipher English about disarming. Before entering our hotel the car was thoroughly searched, including the underbelly with mirrors. I should pay attention to the news more often so I could understand what all the fuss is about.
Family of 9. My driver spoke broken English and seemed to want to talk about the events of recent days. He was telling me stories about water as high as two stories, about bridges being washed away. As we were driving down the highway to the hotel he said, "this road was flooded." Then he told me a story of a family he knows. A family of nine. All of them killed by the typhoon. Then he was silent for a little while. The next time he spoke he asked if I had a family. I told him I have a husband, but no children (yet). He told me about his boys and how they wait up for him at night just to say hello, even if it is after midnight when he gets home. I don't know if I've been through an experience where the PTS is so fresh. I imagine everyone has stories like this, of loved ones lost. Maybe they are wondering why they were spared. I know that is what I would be thinking, and I would be grateful for the loved ones remaining. Heartbreaking!
I've only been in the Philippines a few, short hours. I have quickly realized I don't know enough about this country. I had to even look at a map before I came to see where I was going. I am open to some lessons and background information if there is anyone out there with some pointers.
Rain, rain go away. This place has already experienced a major typhoon, and extreme flooding as a result. Super typhoon number two is on it's way and it is raining quite a bit. I am told it started in the afternoon and hasn't stopped. Silly girl, I came to a typhoon without a rain coat!
Guns and security check. The only thing I've seen of Manila is the drive from the airport to my hotel. There seem to be a lot of billboards asking people to put down or give up their firearms. One said "Be a Peacekeeper" and then had some difficult to decipher English about disarming. Before entering our hotel the car was thoroughly searched, including the underbelly with mirrors. I should pay attention to the news more often so I could understand what all the fuss is about.
Family of 9. My driver spoke broken English and seemed to want to talk about the events of recent days. He was telling me stories about water as high as two stories, about bridges being washed away. As we were driving down the highway to the hotel he said, "this road was flooded." Then he told me a story of a family he knows. A family of nine. All of them killed by the typhoon. Then he was silent for a little while. The next time he spoke he asked if I had a family. I told him I have a husband, but no children (yet). He told me about his boys and how they wait up for him at night just to say hello, even if it is after midnight when he gets home. I don't know if I've been through an experience where the PTS is so fresh. I imagine everyone has stories like this, of loved ones lost. Maybe they are wondering why they were spared. I know that is what I would be thinking, and I would be grateful for the loved ones remaining. Heartbreaking!
I've only been in the Philippines a few, short hours. I have quickly realized I don't know enough about this country. I had to even look at a map before I came to see where I was going. I am open to some lessons and background information if there is anyone out there with some pointers.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
super typhoon - yikes!
I'm getting on an airplane in a couple of hours headed to Manila. If you've been watching the news there is a super typhoon headed right for that area. The area has already been devastated by a recent typhoon, which is why I am on my way there. The news report is below:
Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- The Philippines mobilized its armed forces as Supertyphoon Parma headed for the country, threatening more heavy rains a week after Tropical Storm Ketsana devastated parts of Manila in Luzon and left 277 people dead.
The Navy has assembled a task force in northern Luzon, where Philippine forecasters expect Parma to make landfall on Oct. 3, spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo said in a phone interview. The Air Force will send trucks and rubber boats to facilitate evacuations when local officials request them, Air Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerardo Zamudio said.
Parma’s winds increased to 241 kilometers (150 miles) per hour today, according to the U.S. Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center, making it a Category 4 storm, the second-strongest on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It’s forecast to get stronger before making landfall, according to the center.
LINK: http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/warnings/wp1909.gif
Please pray for the safety of those of us who are going to serve in this disaster response, pray for the families that have already lost so much, pray for the southeast asia region that is getting pummeled by natural disasters in recent weeks. Pray that in the midst of the chaos I will be able to see the people who are hurting and be an example of God's love to them through my actions, regardless of how much (or how little) sleep I am getting.
I've never been through a typhoon before, but just the word "super typhoon" and "150 mile per hour winds" scares me a bit. The team that is there is already looking for a safe place to shelter us from the storm.
I'll be on the computer quite a bit and will post when I can.
Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- The Philippines mobilized its armed forces as Supertyphoon Parma headed for the country, threatening more heavy rains a week after Tropical Storm Ketsana devastated parts of Manila in Luzon and left 277 people dead.
The Navy has assembled a task force in northern Luzon, where Philippine forecasters expect Parma to make landfall on Oct. 3, spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Edgard Arevalo said in a phone interview. The Air Force will send trucks and rubber boats to facilitate evacuations when local officials request them, Air Force spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Gerardo Zamudio said.
Parma’s winds increased to 241 kilometers (150 miles) per hour today, according to the U.S. Navy Joint Typhoon Warning Center, making it a Category 4 storm, the second-strongest on the Saffir-Simpson scale. It’s forecast to get stronger before making landfall, according to the center.
LINK: http://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/warnings/wp1909.gif
Please pray for the safety of those of us who are going to serve in this disaster response, pray for the families that have already lost so much, pray for the southeast asia region that is getting pummeled by natural disasters in recent weeks. Pray that in the midst of the chaos I will be able to see the people who are hurting and be an example of God's love to them through my actions, regardless of how much (or how little) sleep I am getting.
I've never been through a typhoon before, but just the word "super typhoon" and "150 mile per hour winds" scares me a bit. The team that is there is already looking for a safe place to shelter us from the storm.
I'll be on the computer quite a bit and will post when I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)