Philippines 2016 Trip

Posted by Karen Oakes 
 

HUMANITARIAN MISSION ANYONE?

Dear Friends in Rotary,
 
In March of 2014, Wolfgang and I traveled with fellow Rotarians, PDG John and Cora Van Laar, PDG Bob and Nan Bruce, and others on a humanitarian mission to the Philippines.
 
A further trip to the Philippines is planned for the last two weeks of May 2016 with several project visitations as well as informative outings with numerous host Rotary clubs.  Please contact PDG John directly for details, Phone: 519-599-6766, or Email: vanlaar@sympatico.ca.  While we are not able to join in the trip planned for this May, I was asked to provide some comments around our earlier experience. 
 
Through the generosity of our Delhi club members and their supporters we carried gifts of candies and small suckers, chocolate hearts and hand crafted bracelets for the children of the Philippines.  We traveled extensively through the province of Cebu, and several outlying islands in the Philippines to see the aftermath of the October 2013 Earthquake and the mighty Typhoon that followed six weeks later.  We walked amongst the poor, the needy and, in some cases, the forgotten, yet most everyone welcomed us with smiles, voices raised in happy songs, and expressions of thanks for the precious gifts that we shared with them.  For many of these wee folks, these welcome momentous were a message of wonderful delight and sweetness from unknown friends. 
 
The images presented portray just a few of the children that these gifts touched through the thoughtfulness of our supporters. With respect, we draw your attention to the small feet, mostly wearing “flip flops’ or just barefoot.  As well, we ask that you note the condition of the school roofs covered in blue tarp , or left “as is” from the horrific storms of the previous months, providing little relief from the heat and the rains.  We questioned when the buildings might be repaired, however no estimate was available. 
 
As Rotarians, we live by the motto of Rotary International, namely “Service Above Self.”  We were very proud to share all of the special gifts with these children far across the world from Delhi, Ontario, Canada.  Our sincere thank YOU to all our supporters and may all our hearts continue to be filled with compassion and understanding for those less fortunate than ourselves. 
 
Karen Oakes and Wolfgang Lindemann. 
Best of Friends District 7090