The Typhoon Aftermath-An Interview with Stevie

Last week I shared that my niece volunteered in the Philippines to help the victims of the typhoon. She returned home on sunday and she was gracious enough to allow me to interview her. Here’s what she has to say about the experience.

1. What made you decide to volunteer in the Philippines? Did you have to fund yourself?
I’ve always been interested in volunteer work and when the opportunity arose back in February to travel to the Philippines to build a village I jumped at it. And again a couple of weeks ago I jumped at the opportunity to travel back to the same island (Bantayan Island) and help again after the typhoon. Yes I had to fund myself both trips, I was lucky enough to have my Nan pay for my flights in February but everything else I paid for out of my own pocket. Including donations (books, food, etc) for the children on the island.
2. How did you get involved in volunteer work?
I met a man at The Bended Elbow pub here in Albury one Sunday and he told me of his project and how he was working at the pub for free (as his wages went straight to a fund for the village) and I said I wanted to be a part of it! And a few months later my flights were booked and I met him over in the Philippines. We’ve become friends and kept in contact and I have also made other friends through this project.
3. Can you describe what you saw?
I saw the majority of people’s homes had been destroyed from the typhoon (the village the we are building stayed up, which is good), people were basically living under the rubble that was once their homes. It was so sad to see. People were and still are relying on relief goods coming in from many charities. Even though there is so much devastation in the Philippines at the moment, everybody still had smiles on their faces and were extremely happy (as always!). Admittedly though, when I arrived on Bantayan island it had been 9 days since the typhoon so I imagine some cleaning up would have been done before we arrived. There were still trees down everywhere (on top of houses), power poles and lines lying across the road and smashed concrete also.
4. What was the worst thing you saw ?
The worst thing I saw was probably how these people are now living after the devastation. They didn’t have very sturdy homes to start with and they are now living under the rubble of their homes. It was also sad to see people sleeping on the streets. But as I said before the people are still so happy which was the best thing I saw.
5. What were some of the tasks you performed?
The first day we arrived on the island we handed out clothes that had been donated and also bags of food (rice, canned meat and water) that we had prepared the night before. We spent a few hours one morning clearing some rubble from one families home so that they could reuse the materials to rebuild. I thought we would have been doing a lot more physical, hands on work but when we got there it was actually more emotional support. Just being there and talking to the victims and understanding brought them hope.
6. How has this experience changed you?
Both times I have travelled over and then returned home I have been much more appreciative of what I have because people over there have nothing. It frustrates me that people here whinge about what they don’t have have and how bad their life is when they haven’t seen how ‘the other half’ live. Philipinos and I’m sure other cultures too, have nothing but are SO happy. It makes me happy to see that people in countries like that are very family orientated (because they don’t have much else) whereas western countries it’s all about material needs and social status, which is sad really that the world has to come to that. So I don’t think I have changed as a person I am just more able to appreciate what I do have and see things differently from other people. Everybody is very grateful of the help that we are providing which makes it all worthwhile as I feel appreciated for the work I do and time and money spent.
7. Do you see yourself doing something like this again in the future?
I will definitely be doing something like this again, and will probably return to Bantayan Island in the future. I am also planning to travel to Nepal to provide support for a charity that save young girls from being human trafficked and forced to work in brothels.
8. How could someone who wanted to follow your example get started?
There are many charities and organistations throughout the world that provide the same sort of relief services, if somebody wants to participate you just have to approach these charities or organisations. With the internet these days it is very easy.

And that is how a very compassionate young lady spent a week of her life helping a devastated country. Thank you for sharing your experience Stevie.

Don’t forget to come over to the Hump Day Hook Up and join the fun.