Holidays '08

Dear volunteers and friends:

Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!)

We wish all the joys of a Filipino Christmas and the hopes of a better year ahead to all of you.

Maraming salamat for all your help, kindness and understanding.

Teaching volunteer plays Santa to 10-year old girl

Australian Rebecca “Bec” Snell (Teaching, January 2008) wrote in her farewell message to CERV that her volunteering experiences in the Philippines were “very satisfying” and “will stay with her forever.” (Bec volunteered with her good friend Adam Miller.)

She remains true to her word.

Earlier this month, Bec informed CERV she wants to sponsor a Filipino child’s education. “I really want to give something back to your country because it has taught me so much,” she wrote.

CERV then looked and asked around both in Metro Manila and Romblon for a suitable candidate (someone who is not related to any staff to avert conflict of interest). We settled on Beth Marinelle “Bechay” P. Pacaldo.

Bechay is a 10-year old, Grade 4 student of Camarin Elementary, a public school in Caloocan City-North. She is one of five kids of parents Dante and Elizabeth. Dante is a jeepney driver and Elizabeth is an urban poor women organizer. The Pacaldos live in Barangay Camarin, an urban poor community 20 kilometers north from downtown Manila.

According to those who know her, Bechay is very focused on her studies. Her grade point average is 80 percent in all subjects. She also conscientiously helps out with household chores and is an obedient kid.

When presented to her prospective benefactor, Bechay was immediately approved By Bec. Bec promised to send assistance semi-annually—in May, when Bechay would be enrolling, and in December. She also said that she wants to start sending assistance to her scholar this Christmas time.

A 10-year old Filipino girl’s Christmas suddenly became very merry.

(Accompanying photos: 1. Bechay (right) hamming it up with mom Elizabeth; and 2. Bec Snell with friend and fellow volunteer Adam Miller.)

Australian engineer enhances urban poor school

Australian mining engineer Scott Dennis heard so much about the Philippines from his girlfriend and former CERV volunteer Jennifer Duncombe he wanted to volunteer on his own. He got his chance when he visited Jenn in the Philippines who was volunteering in the Manila office of the World Health Organization.

For 14 days on weekdays, Scott painted the Busilak Day Care Center at the multi-purpose building in Sitio Veterans, Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City, Metro Manila which also doubles as a meeting room and chapel on occasion. He also finished the painting of the office, clinic and library on the second floor. He bought the paints and the materials from his own pocket and, at the end of his project, donated funds for the procurement and installation of glass window panes plus more paints for the building exterior.

Last December 7, Scott and Jenn also worked at the newly-established native tree species nursery of Hortica Filipina Foundation, Inc. at Rodriguez, Rizal east of Metropolitan Manila. It was Jenn’s second time to work with the environmentalists who organized the now defunct Philippine Marathon for the Pasig River/Pasig River Heritage Marathon.

Last December12, Scott was feted in a farewell program attended by officers and members of the Samahan ng Maralitang Kababaisang Nagkakaisa (Association of United Urban Poor Women) or Samakana, a nationwide organization of urban poor women, and Samahan ng mg Kabataan ng Veterans (Youth Association of Veterans) or SKV. He was regaled with songs and dances as well as speeches by the children of the day care center, Samakana and SKV.

“I am very grateful for the warm welcome you have all given me. I enjoyed every minute of it and I don’t want to change any of it,” Scott said in his farewell message before the groups. At the end of his speech, Scott turned over a boxful of children’s books, crayons, pieces of colored chalk and other school supplies for the use of the day care center. Scott also thanked his young new friends who not only kept him company but assisted and even played basketball with him as well.

Samakana national secretary general “Nanay” Bising Taldo profusely thanked Scott for his kindness and international solidarity to the struggles and aspirations of Filipino urban poor women. “It is heartwarming that we have been made recipient of this act of kindness and labor of love from someone who came from overseas,” Nanay Bising said.

From a ramshackle affair of discarded tin roofs and rough walls, Busilak Day Care Center and Multi-Purpose Hall is now a three storey concrete building with tiled bathrooms and floors and light-pink and brown walls. Majority of the funds for its construction were raised with the help of Italian humanitarian organizations. Several Veterans children and members of the youth organization were regularly invited in Italy for concerts that helped in fund-raising.

“There is still much work to be done,” Nanay Bising said. “But with this building, we are already assured that our children will no longer study in leaky rooms with no doors and windows. We can also have medical missions here. Plus, with the books and computers donated by former CERV volunteers, our youngsters are given more opportunities to study. We thank all those who help us help ourselves, especially when these basic social services are denied us poor people by the government,” she added.

CERV celebrates International Volunteers’ Day on December 5

CERV celebrates International Volunteers Day for Economic and Social Development (IVD) on December 5 with many projects lined up to close the year and to welcome 2009.

Six international volunteers are currently involved in school building repair and maintenance projects in Sitio Veterans in Quezon City and in Barangays Cawayan, Long Beach, Sugod and Cabolutan in San Agustin, Romblon Province.

The rebuilding of Carmen Day Care Center (destroyed by Typhoon Frank in July) was recently completed by New Zealander Roger Johnson.  (Roger’s wife Denise also completed her teaching program at Sugod Elementary School.  She also spent many hours tutoring child-beneficiary Van Mark Elisan.)

The repair of Cawayan Day Care Center is made possible by the combined donations of Karen Barnes and Family and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of Missouri, USA.

The repair of Cabolutan Elementary School, specifically a classroom wall brought down by termites, is made possible by the donation of Australian Brendan Collopy.  The wall shall now be constructed of concrete.

Scott Dennis of Australia is painting the Day Care Center-Library-Clinic of Sitio Veterans.  Scott was encouraged to volunteer by girlfriend and former CERV-GVN volunteer Jennifer Duncombe.

Classroom painting in Sugod and Long Beach are also ongoing.

CERV also recently submitted a grant proposal to the GVN Foundation for a new mangrove nursery in Barangay Sugod.  The fund shall come from the combined donations of Susan Rife, Thomas G Lord, Kara D Festa, Richard Kastenschmidt, Laureen Gibson, Laine Smith, Eric Ladouceur, Bill A Sutherland, Claudia Larouche, Sharlyn G Briones, Jennifer Pielak and Daniel A Roquiz.  Richard, Laureen, Laine, Eric, Bill, Claudia, Sharlyn, Jennifer and Daniel were all former volunteers.  Susan is probably a relative of former volunteer Alexis Rife.  Thomas and Kara are simply good souls.

 IVD was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/212 on 17 December 1985. Governments, the United Nations system and civil society organizations have since then celebrated it on 5 December every year.

IVD provides an opportunity for volunteer organizations and individual volunteers to work together in projects and campaigns bringing added visibility to their contributions to economic and social development at local, national and international levels. Over the years, rallies, parades, community volunteering projects, environmental awareness, free medical care and other projects all featured prominently on IVD.

IVD is a special day to honor all past and active volunteers as well as an event to encourage more people to volunteer.

Volunteers provide much needed commitment and support to many underserved communities around the globe.

(And, btw, December 5 is CERV director Raymund Villanueva’s birthday!)

CERV volunteers give more aid to typhoon victims

The Municipality of San Agustin in Romblon Province recently released the official number of totally and partially destroyed houses in CERV’s placement villages.

Poblacion San Agustin had 27 houses totally destroyed and 23 houses partially destroyed; Carmen had 132 houses totally destroyed and 257 partially destroyed; Sugod had 48 houses totally destroyed and 282 partially destroyed; Cabolutan had 74 houses totally destroyed; and along Beach had 42 houses totally destroyed and 282 partially destroyed.

Schools and Day Care Centers in the said villages were also either destroyed or damaged.

CERV’s mangrove planting project is totally destroyed, as well as the marine sanctuary in Carmen.
Fishing activities are also on hold, severely disrupting the first of the main economic activities of the people of San Agustin.

The Manila government issued warnings against fish-eating in the area for fear of poisoning from the toxic substances from the holds of the ship that capsized on Sibuyan Island.

Farming also took a direct hit as rice, coconut and other crops were destroyed by strong winds and floodwaters at the height of the typhoon.

“I sense desperation from the people here. They do not say it in words but you can see it in their eyes,” CERV staff Vincent Embile said.

Last week, CERV and its volunteers distributed more food items to the victims of the typhoon in Poblacion San Agustin and Carmen. Donations from volunteers Peter Barnett (New Zealand), Robin Greenway (Canada) and Catalina Lawsin (USA) benefitted 250 families who were given two kilos of rice, canned sardines and packs of instant noodles.

More relief aid to typhoon victims

CERV and its volunteers held another food relief event for the residents of Long Beach, San Agustin, Romblon. Eighty-five families were given bags containing kilos of rice, packs of instant noodles and canned items last October 28.

As mentioned in previous entries Long Beach was heavily damaged by Typhoon Frank last July. Big waves swept many of its houses and strong winds destroyed crops and boats, leaving behind greater poverty and many illnesses. Three months after the devastation, its residents have yet to recover.

This latest relief-giving was made possible by the efforts of the Barnes Family of Kansas City, Missouri (USA). The Barneses were CERV’s first family of volunteers (Father Michael, Mother Karen, Austin, Sarah, Kim, Isaac and Lancer). They stayed at Long Beach.

Last September, Karen held a presentation before the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League about the poor in the Philippines. At the end of the event, the League donated $300 for the Barnes’ charity activities. Karen another $100 to the amount and promptly sent it to CERV.

About $150 were spent for the food bags. The remaining amount would be used for the repair of Cawayan Day Care Center, which was also heavily damaged by the typhoon.

 

Donations

Donations for the rehabilitation of San Agustin, Romblon after the devastation of Typhoon Frank last July are starting to do their work.

The Carmen Day Care Center, totally destroyed by huge waves at the height of the typhoon, is now being rebuilt at a more inland location. Instead of bamboo walls, the school now has concrete floor and walls. Its new bathroom will also be tiled. Its roofing and its concrete fencing has recently been completed.

After its construction, more tables and cabinets will be constructed by CERV volunteers. CERV will also buy one monobloc chair for each of its 50 students.

Volunteers currently working on the rebuilding of the school are Leighton Wood (Canada), Nels Rodelwald (US) and Roger Johnson (NZ).

In September 6, the Carmen Day Care Center was inaugurated. The ceremonies were led by the Department of Social Work and Development (DPWH) Romblon provincial director June B. Recon and attended by CERV volunteers and staff.
Meanwhile, the repair and enhancement of Sugod Elementary School library is now complete. CERV volunteers involved in the project were Denise Dunn (Australia), Scott Ince (Australia), Colin Lee Chee (Canada), Peter Barnett (NZ), Andrew Hudson (Canada), Paul Murray (US), Debbie Hall (NZ). Denise Johnson (NZ) is now using the library as her classroom for her math and art classes.

Previous to these projects, Leighton Wood completed the painting of a classroom in Cabolutan Elementary School.

Funds for these projects are being financed with donations given through FundRaise Online-New Zealand by former volunteers Dr Sophie Hamada (France), Malcolm Trevena (NZ), Li Ching Ho (Malaysia), as well as one Mr Henri Lex Tapay (nationality unknown).

Debbie's last days in the Philippines

Greetings to all,

Time is going past very quickly here. Only a few more days left before I have to go back to Manila.

I am back in (Barangay) Sugod after the weekend on a neighboring island — a very interesting place with a handful of expats firmly ensconced with Filipino wives and children. (Not the other way round.) I went there with another volunteer, a young woman from Switzerland (Corina Stiffler) who is working in town, about 10 kms from here. Everyone thought we were mother and daughter, until she opened her mouth to speak.

The first evening we met David (terribly English, reminded me of David Horseman). He owns a Deli / restaurant and they have an international menu so we were able to order a feed of spaghetti and meat balls with as much parmesan cheese as I wanted! David proved very helpful and generous with his time and knowledge of the island.

He told us about the typhoon that came through here two months ago — the biggest and most devastating locals can remember. Originally it was tracking across the land to the south of here in an east- west direction (which is unusual in itself because they usually follow the coast lines). So when it hit Visayan waters it swung round to the north, heading directly for the Romblon Islands where I'm living. All these islands experienced about 40 mins of calm as the eye passed over and then it came back with more ferocity. It was the size of the waves that most people talk about, absolutely huge, like mini tsunamis sweeping whole villages away on the southeastern sides of the islands, especially those homes made of nipa or natural fibers. [I guess this is what seduces people to corrugated iron and concrete blokes.]

The greatest tragedy of this typhoon was of course the passenger ship that capsized trapping nearly all of its 800 passengers inside. This was a big ship so it must have been an almighty wave that overturned it. It failed to heed the weather warnings and take shelter, seduced by the eye of the storm. When the engines failed it was curtains for this boat as it obviously went broadside against the waves. It sank shortly afterwards. That it was loaded with an undeclared cargo of pesticides and there has been a hands-off policy ever since with no one prepared to take responsibility for what happened or its salvage. One end is anchored to the ocean floor so it will be no mean task to get it floating again. And who would want to deal with all the corpses inside?

The large island not far from here, near where this boat is languishing, is under constant threat of the lethal cargo escaping. It is being monitored daily and there is a fishing ban in place for the entire coastline. If as much as a small amount of this pesticide should leak into the ocean it could render the entire waters of this area lifeless for years to come. So as you can imagine there is much anxiety among the locals here

 Romblon Island, where we were, is famous for its marble carving and David asked someone to show us around. [He also has a small export business.] There are many workshops lining the roads above the town with angle grinders going flat out. Of course I had to get a closer look at these tools and discovered some ingenious improvisation off the shafts of their grinders. There was some quite interesting works of art...skilled reproductions of greco-roman statues and busts....loads of animals including a life-size lion and a baby elephant.... very groovy little pigs. And of course heaps of kitchenware and furniture. Took lots of photos.

The second night there we stayed at the only beach resort still open on the island. [This is the low season so not much happening on the tourist front. In fact we didn't see any apart from a couple of yacht-ies, if you could call them tourists. People do sail through these waters despite all the unrest down south.}

Anyway, this beach was idyllic. We rented a nipa hut and I spent most of the next day dozing in there with no sound but the surf and the fan going to cool things down. I should say that my living situation in Sugod is very noisy and busy. There are two households living on this compound and much of what goes on happens outside, right below my window. It all starts around 5.00 a.m. when every rooster in the village fires up and not long after people start moving around. By the time we get back from school there's people, animals and activity everywhere. The house is home to many stray cats, dogs, young friends of Tess' teenage children and an old auntie who has had a stroke so is partially immobile. She moves from points A to B very slowly with the help of a walker but spends most of the time sitting somewhere and standing up periodically to pee into a bucket that is permanently below her. She can't speak properly but is often in tears. I feel so sorry for her. There is also a litter of puppies that charge around the place. But to top it off the bitch next door was on heat last week so every dog in the village came visiting and fighting—also under my window—at all hours of the night. A good reason to escape to Romblon Island last weekend.

Life at school continues to be an interesting experience. I have converted half the library to an art room and am working on getting every class in at least once before I leave. This is a big district school with some children walking many miles to get there and back each day. Classes average around 50 in size so I am splitting them in half because I can't cope with those numbers, not when most of the kids can't understand a word I say. As you may have gathered there is virtually no government funding to these schools so there is no equipment or materials unless the teachers or children provide them themselves. Art, music and sport do not feature at all so if I had not bought these art materials there would be no art classes. The sight of paint is a first for most of these children and they are very excited about it. The teachers are only too happy for me to steal them away for an hour or so. They are as fascinated themselves.

So between the books and the art classes I am kept very busy. Just not sure what will happen to it all when I leave next week. Hopefully the teachers will keep it going.

There is one teacher here who has achieved the most amazing landscaping effort along side the children. Every class in the school is responsible for an area of the grounds that they tend as a garden. It’s really amazing. First thing in the morning they are all out there weeding, watering and breaking in new ground. This is the time of year to plant so I will miss out on the full effect come January and February. There is one section of the school that has been converted into a living garden, i.e. a fishpond, a butterfly atrium, all kinds of interesting things growing and on going science experiments amongst it all. It is beautiful with little paths, a bridge and nipa hut that doubles as a shade house. Under the direction of this one teacher the children have done it all themselves. A few years ago apparently there was nothing there.

So I think that's just about enough from me. One other thing. The other morning I woke up to the most fantastic thunderstorm. Thunder and lightening directly over head. It was so loud every thing was shaking and of course the rain was just about making holes in the roof it was coming down with so much force......Very exciting. It certainly silenced everything else.

Love to all.

Debs Hall

(Debs finished her program last August 30, 2008)

Message From Debs

Hullo to all! [This is what the Filipino children say when greeting two or more people.They put their right hand over their heart and say "Hullo to all!". So cute but quite weird when theres only two of you. ]

Right now I am in an internet place on another island (Boracay) where I have gone to get my visa extended. This island is a tourist mecca a world away from where I've been. This time of year it is frequented by rich Filipinos and Asians. The only whites are a smattering of aging, overweight, sickly-looking men, usually with some beautiful young Filipino beauty trailing along dutifully behind. It’s really sad. The whole place is really sad actually. It comes with all the trappings of a glitzy holiday destination—bars, restaurants, souvenir and clothing shops, and street venders everywhere. And not too far away, beyond the facade of shop fronts and hotels, the local people live in their rickety thrown-together huts. Its weird to see rich and poor living so closely together. I don't feel that comfortable here and am looking forward to going back to Tablas Island tomorrow.

My journey there last week went relatively smooth. The overnight boat trip was pretty surreal. As we left port they said a prayer for everyone over the loud speaker. I think the sinking of that ship has really unnerved everyone. It happened not far from where I'm living—this huge upturned hulk with around 700-800 dead bodies inside. A floating coffin. The locals won't swim; so spooked are they and are only just starting to fish again.

I am living in a little coastal villiage 10 kilometers from the nearest town center accessible by motor bikes and side cars only. Apart from the beautiful green rice paddies surrounded by towering cliff faces there is nothing too romantic about it. The villages are pretty squalid. Lots of concrete blocks and corrugated iron everywhere. Only the really poor still live in their traditional grass huts (which is fortunate for them because they are so much cooler). We have one where I'm staying and I am able to siesta there in the heat of the day. It is unbelievably hot and we are not getting the expected afternoon tropical downpours. Luckily there is cold spring fed water here from the mountains and two or three times a day I stand underneath it to cool off. Can drink it from the tap which is a total luxury in this overpopulated country.

My host family is very hospitable. Ma’amm Tess [all older woman are called Ma’am here, including me] is a big cuddly woman who fusses around like a hen. She is a teacher at the school. So every morning at 7:15 we walk there together, be home for lunch at 11:00 and back again at 1:30 p.m.

The first day I turned up with all the books and we set them up in their completely book-less but recently renovated library. The last volunteers did a good job of that. The children were delighted. So excited. So were the teachers. Took lots of photos. I guess this is why I was placed here. What good is a library without books?

So I have been reading to the younger children and taking art classes with the two senior classes. Last week we did blind contour drawing where they are not allowed to look at their paper. Very interesting for them.

I am loving the work at the school and have lots of ideas that the staff are very supportive of. Sadly I have not allowed myself long enough here. It’s going to be a wrench to leave.

Better go now.

Loads of love,

Debs (Hall)
Teaching Volunteer, Sugod, San Agustin, Romblon

Online donations for CERV projects now open

Online donations for CERV projects such as children’s development and relief and rehabilitation of San Agustin are now live on two websites.

GVN Foundation worked fast to put up a Philippine online donation page after Typhoon Frank’s devastation last month, which can be accessed on this link. Donations through this link are tax-deductible in the United States of America.

FundRaise Online-New Zealand also put up this site  for the same purpose.

Donations are done through credit cards. Each donation will be acknowledged with a receipt by either the GVN Foundation or FundRaise Online-New Zealand for tax and other purposes.

CERV IS CALLING ON ALL FORMER AND INCOMING VOLUNTEERS AND FRIENDS TO DONATE.

Moreover, we are requesting all of you to ask your family, friends, colleagues, churches, offices, neighbors and friends to donate as well. This can also be done by emailing and/or creating pages in their Facebook, Friendster, MySpace and others, providing the links above and/or directing them to the CERV website.

Incoming volunteers may also use this as a fund-raising facility before they arrive. Once they arrive, they will be able to participate in the activities where the funds raised through their efforts would be used.

Proceeds of the fund-raising will be used to buy more relief goods such as food items, building and repair materials for very poor families who lost their homes and the schools.

For more news about the destruction in San Agustin, Romblon, as well as ongoing relief efforts kindly visit www.volunteerphilippines.com

How Our Towns Drown

How in the downpour our towns drown, downstream of doom to sea we are returned, houses and pigs in ceaseless procession as skies boom and fall thundering spears to beat down all curses and tears to tide – among seaweed and driftwood and water hyacinths, prayer wreaths for the dead and the drowned,

downstream of doom to sea we are returned. Tottering over manholes, shivering in the blast of a blind monsoon, its hollow howl the rolling dreariness of our emptied hills, our feet doubt their ground where streets vanish in the gorge and swill of slime – to flood at last we are flotsam and scum,

houses and pigs in ceaseless procession. And rushing past our brethren, those lovelorn cats and cockroaches, amind floating roofs, lumbering cadavers of cherished scrap, our naked brats scamper and gambol over their scavenged loot of murky things, tires and handbags and bottles and shoes,

as skies boom and fall thundering spears on Cherry Hill slumping down its slope and shoveling homes in one boulder swoop – landfill of families in moaning mud! so sudden, their screams no echoes bear, abducted to questioning rage of mind by what “state of calamity” or “act of God”

to beat down all curses and tears to tide. Antipolo to Pangasinan the earth rivers and shoves down Pinatubo’s renegade ooze to our paddies swelling to ocean of muck and fishponds collapsing to swamp; for bridges are down, and mountains too far, to flee and shelter from the water’s gore

among seaweed and driftwood and water hyacinths, what word, what route? what water world for breathing space, the floors of our dreams but shiver their fittings and leak their gloom. Clutch of seaweed for hair, drifwood for limbs, hyacinths for a cloak, what new indigene, only survivor to offer

prayer-wreaths for the dead and the drowned? Requiescant in pace … vitam aeternam, so cradle the infant swaddled in rubble grime, just now excavated and no mother to hush its lost wail, no father, no sibling – surely now their wreck is deaf to cranes or fingers digging, to what end any change

how in the downpour our towns drown.             -- Gemino H. Abad. In Ordinary Time: Poems, Parables, Poetics 1973-2003                 University of the Philippines Press. Quezon City. Philippines. 2004

(This poem was written by the abovenamed famous Filipino poet after a past typhoon wreaked devastation in the Philippines in the late 1990s.  It may very well described the tragedy in Romblon after the recent Typhoon Frank. The accompanying pictures are courtesy of volunteer Peter Barnett of New Zealand who was in Romblon at the height of the typhoon, along with volunteers Denise Dunn and Andrew Hudson and recorded the devastation immediately after.)           

More pictures from the Long Beach, Sugod, the Marine Sanctuary and Carmen can be found here.  

Volunteers start Romblon relief operations and fund drive

Following is an excerpt of CERV volunteer Peter Barnett’s (New Zealand) narration of the relief operation he conducted in his last days in Romblon immediately after the devastation of Typhoon “Frank”.

“I hopped off the boat from Romblon Island. Unfortunately the damage here in Tablas Island is immeasurably worse.

“This morning I visited the crew of a fishing boat that washed up in the marine sanctuary where I've been working. Four are staying in the barangay (village) hall across the rice fields from my host family’s house, with the fifth lying in an open coffin in a room a few metres away. It was the first body I've seen and I found it far harder than I imagined. I can't imagine what it must be like for his family (who arrives this afternoon) or for those of the ferry (MV Princess of the Stars where more than 700 are feared drowned off Sibuyan Island, Romblon) casualties.

“The coastal areas of San Agustin have been flattened. So many houses were blown away, as well as huge numbers of boats destroyed.

“It's been an incredible experience walking around today, the tropical paradise that had become home reduced to strewn rubble. The scale of the destruction is completely overwhelming. People are constructing shelters from rubble, or sleeping in the public stages by the basketball courts or in schools.

“Aid from the government will be slow to come, consisting of a one-off 2 kg of rice per family…

“The father of my host family is a member of the Romblon Red Cross, a respected high school teacher and a very decent and trustworthy man. I spoke to him this morning about the possibility of my raising relief money overseas and how it would be best distributed. He said that he and his wife would be able to distribute it among those most in need in our barangay and the one neighbouring it. I didn't raise any expectation, but I wondered whether my parents and family friends would like to donate some money. The exchange rate is such that any amount in $NZD goes a very long way, and the lack of any official or NGO help here means that anything would go immediately to helping out in a very real way – food, drinking water, shelters.

“’My father my emails on to other families who helped also, and I emailed them back to say that I managed to withdraw the money yesterday in Romblon. My host family
were amazingly coordinating the whole effort - 450 kg of rice, 300 cans of sardines, 900 packets of noodles, 75 kilograms of nails, 100 bars of soap! Also enough left over to help a couple of families in particular need - PhP 1000 towards a coffin for a family that lost their father and PhP500 for medicine for a man with blood poisoning after being hit by rusty roofing iron. It was an incredible gift from them and the Hennin family. And it was a real privilege for me to oversee its distribution. It is hard to put into words how far it went and how much it meant to the people here!’

“To which I got the following reply from my father John, who is a fundraiser for the World Wildlife Fund:

‘How rewarding it was for us to read of the amounts of rice, noodles and more that the money purchased. Thank you for setting it out so well for us to read.

“’As a fundraiser, it's the most extraordinary donor feedback, a closing of the loop, that I have ever seen, much less been a part of. Despite our trust in NGOs, there is an unfortunate and unavoidable element of uncertainty about how much gets to the need and about precisely what any individual's contribution to a pooled fund resulted in.

“’I think that is a point worth pushing - the current need is so great, and the help CERV (through donations) can offer is so practical, targeted and hopefully rapidly delivered, that through their donations ex-volunteers can do an incredible amount. Having so many volunteers 'on the ground' is also a huge advantage

“’As regards the website proposal below, I think something of that nature has appeal because volunteers can send the link to their family and friends, who have no doubt heard a lot about their time in the Philippines. I'm not sure how the pricing structures and establishment fees of PayPal, etc. compare, they would have the advantage of being based from CERV's website and increasing your branding efforts, though of course that could be integrated into a third party site also…Would be good to get it set up while the sense of urgency is still fresh.’

“Then my dad emailed friends from Fundraise Online, Limited to ask if it would be a possible for them to remit money direct to CERV if he pays the FOL charity registration fee and put a page up.

“FOL support manager Sharon Lee said their group ‘would be happy to remit direct to the Philippines if the abovementioned requisites are accomplished. She also raised he possibility of setting it up on the New Zealand and Australia sites of FundRaise Online.

”Now, I have left the Philippines but have committed to help with my family and friends.”

In Manila, Peter and the other volunteers helped in the relief operations of Sagip Kapamilya of ABS-CBN, the country’s biggest media network. Leighton Wood, Colin Lee-Chee, Denise Dunn, Jill Boike, Bette Luck, Robin Greenway, Kyle Engman and Line Pedersen packed rice, other food items, medicines, clothing for victims of Typhoon Frank in Metro Manila and Western Visayas. Their operations lasted for one and a half-weeks and have processed millions of pesos worth of relief goods. Leighton worked the longest, followed by Colin.

Before Peter flew home, he donated an additional PhP6,500 for relief food items for San Agustin. Robin added 200 Canadian dollars, which she raised before flying to the Philippines. Canadian health volunteers Sharon Gershony, Edward Brooks, Rachel Han and Juliya Iosfina donated 100 Canadian dollars each for medicines.

The CERV secretariat and some former volunteers like Malcolm Trevena are hard at work setting up the online petition for FundRaise Online.

We are calling on all former volunteers and others for help. Succeeding updates and news items to follow

Vanvan: "I can see!"

Vanvan: “I can see!”

Van Mark Elisan is now on his way to a new life.

Last May 30, Vanvan was operated on by Philippine General Hospital doctors. He emerged from the operating room several hours later with a huge gash on top of his head (where the surgeons split open his skull) but only a few stitches on his face where a big growth used to be.

Upon regaining consciousness at the recovery room another three hours later, Vanvan’s first words were “I can see!” He was not blind and the operation was not on his eyes. The boy was referring to the wonderful new experience of stereo vision where the right eye can see to his left side and vice versa.

Vanvan’s operation was made possible by the Barnes family who took pity on the boy and looked around for help. They ended up financing most of the expenses themselves except the actual surgery, which was achieved through the help of the PGH and the World Craniofacial Foundation. The entire Barnes family was ecstatic about the success of operation.

Equally happy is Eden who saw the project to the end through four frustrating delays, epilepsy attacks, new discoveries of Vanvan’s health problems, red tape and Third World health care service. Everyone thought it would take only a month. But it’s been three months and still counting.

Vanvan is still recovering at the CERV dorm in Quezon City. He walks in the mornings and in the afternoons. All the staples on his head were already taken off, the swelling on his face are all but gone. Vincent has succeeded in making him stop nibbling at his right hand. And while he has to take lifetime medication for his epilepsy, he has already gained weight and become taller under Vincent and Eden’s care.

Vanvan still needs a lot of help. Because of his family’s poverty and the stigma brought about by his past physical appearance, Vanvan stopped schooling at age eight and consequently forgot how to read and write. He is also displaying a mild form of mental retardation. CERV is asking the school in his village to take him in as a first grader again next month. There will be more check ups as well.

Giving the boy a new lease on life has been a very difficult journey. But to see Vanvan smiling at himself on the mirror makes it all worthwhile. We hope the entire Barnes family would be able to witness it sometime.

You can see more pictures of Vanvan here

Two high school students start their summer break by volunteering

Tong Jun (Alan) Lee and Jun Ho Lee completed their two-week school building repair and maintenance programs last May 31.

They are 18-year olds and are natives of Seoul, Korea. Jun is also president of the Asian-American Club and both are the only Asian members of the organization.

Tong (pronounced “Dong”) and Jun worked enhancing Gold and Pinadama Day Care Centers in Quezon City. They painted chairs, desks, cabinets and gate with blue and yellow.

On their last day, both shot a video of CERV director Raymund and staff Vincent which they hope to show to schoolmates prior to organizing fund-raising campaigns.

“We hope to be able to sponsor more paints for the schools. Who knows? We might even be able to sponsor a child or two to ensure they continue their education,” the two said.

Former volunteer says “Hi!”

CERV volunteer Jennifer Pielak of Vancouver Canada (teaching, July 2007) dropped us a message recently. Here is part of what she had to say:

Hey Pom, Raymund, Eden and Vincent!

How are you doing?! Things are going pretty well for me over here in Vancouver. I have been very busy teaching English to Korean kids at a private school here. The kids come from wealthy families, so it is very different from teaching the kids in Romblon! To be honest, it has taken a few months for me to readjust to living here after living in Asia for almost 2 years. I think about the Philippines a lot and really miss everyone over there! It was truly a life-changing experience for me, and I have gained a lot more perspective on the world.

One of the moments that had the most impact on me was when Raymund was taking Lucie (Pfaendler, Switzerland, Teaching, July 2007) and I through the slums in Manila and said, "The greatest sin is humans dehumanizing other humans like this." That is something that has really stuck with me and I've thought about it a lot.

“Anyway, I hope all of you are doing well and that things are going well with CERV and that lots of volunteers are coming

Thanks, and say hi to everyone in Romblon for me!!

-Jen

PS: Here is a picture of me in the snow! When you are feeling hot, think of this picture!

Jenn was one of the volunteers who displayed outstanding initiative and creativity during her program with CERV. Undaunted by the local teachers’ embarrassment to give her more teaching time, she managed to convince them to give her more work. And she did it without offending the people’s unique sensibilities. She ended her volunteer program in a very busy fashion, conducting after class tutorial sessions, creating and producing many teaching aids, in addition to increased time teaching

A friend of CERV's passes away

CERV’s logo designer, Nestor Jacinto, died of lung cancer last May 6 at Manila’s University of Santo Tomas Hospital. He was 63 years old.

Nes, as friends and colleagues fondly called him, designed the simple yet striking CERV logo for free. He was Raymund’s colleague at Kodao Productions, a multi-media group that produces video documentaries and radio programs.

Nes led a very colorful life. Born just after second World War his family suffered untold difficulties, often only eating root crops instead of proper food. He was born with a blind right eye.

Despite his disability, he developed an eye for photography. He qualified to study architecture at the University of the Philippines.

When UP students rebelled against the Marcos dictatorship in the early 70s in what is known as the “Diliman Commune,” Nes captured the historic event on video. Intense persecution of activists forced him to align himself with rebels waging a guerilla war against the dictatorship. Due to failing eyesight, Nes later went “aboveground” and started working as a film editor.

In the last two decades, Nes became a top-notch digital graphics designer and lay-out artist. He produced an impressive number of designs for various advocacies and political movements, as well as commercial works. He also served as creative consultant to all of Kodao Productions' video projects.

Nes was also tapped to produce designs for local and international campaigns. These included “Stop the Killings in the Philippines!”, “Permanent People’s Tribunal Second Session on the Philippines”, “Junk WTO!”, “International Observers’ Mission” (for the 2007 national elections), “White Ribbon Movement”, and “Purple Rose Campaign” (against women and children trafficking), among many others.

All these he accomplished while being legally-blind. He often had to work with the computer monitor barely an inch away from his thick glasses. His condition also did not deter him from being a bookworm, building himself an impressive collection of books on graphic design and photography.

A widower, Nes is survived by his two sons, Mark and Sancho.

New volunteers indulge in “halo-halo”

Summer is in full swing in the Philippines. A boat dish of “halo-halo” (literally-translated, “mix-mix”) is always in order on a hot Manila afternoon.

Two new Canadian volunteers are now enjoying this Filipino summer icon. They both recently arrived on month-long programs in Romblon.

Sharlyn Briones was born to full-blooded Filipino parents who migrated to Canada after their marriage. Sharlyn is Canadian-born and is now a young staff nurse in a Calgary hospital. She is a health volunteer.

Andrew Hudson is a university student in Vancouver. Unlike Sharlyn who made her own “halo-halo” on her childhood visits to the Philippines, it is his first time to sample this popular local snack. Andrew is a school building maintenance and repair volunteer.
There are many versions of “halo-halo”, depending on the availability of ingredients or one’s own imagination. There could be as many as two dozen elements arranged on top of shaved ice made even flavorful by either milk or cream. Sweetened fruits like bananas, jackfruits, young coconut meat, mangoes, ripe papayas; gelatins of all shapes and sizes; flans; yams; rice crispies; and scoops of cheese and yam-flavored ice-cream make up the “regular” versions. “Special halo-halo” needs extra special effort to describe.

One may be forgiven to think that “halo-halo” is representative of the Filipino. (Not the balut!) The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands peopled by about 150 ethno-linguistic groups. As separate units, they represent their own unique colors and flavors. Taken together, they are just one color and flavor even more unique and special.

To begin enjoying “halo-halo”, one must futher break up the shaved ice underneath all the sweets and mix everything up (hence the name) until the tall glass or the boat dish becomes a rainbow of colors. After a reasonable consistency is achieved, one is then permitted his or her first spoonful.

A hot tropical afternoon in the Philippines is also required.

Honeymooners

Former CERV volunteer Shane Stankowski is in the Philippines to honeymoon with new bride Christine. They wed in Melbourne, Australia last Saturday, April 5. The bridegroom is an architect and the bride is a children’s welfare worker.

Last Tuesday, 8 April, they flew to the Philippines to start their month-long honeymoon. They will be visiting the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces, Mayon Volcano (the world’s most perfectly-shaped cone mountain) and swim with the whale sharks. En route to the world’s best resort island Boracay for the last stage of their honeymoon, they will drop by Dumangas, Iloilo to visit Shane’s placement area.

In December 2005 to January 2006, Shane built a toilet and a play hut at the Managuit Day Care Center in Dumangas.
Last Wednesday, April 9, Shane and Christine had dinner with the CERV staff (Raymund, Pom, Eden and Vincent) in Manila’s famous bay walk area. Shane was pleasantly surprised to see Vincent as he did not know that Vincent came along when the organization had to transfer to Romblon Province.

Christine was also a child welfare volunteer in Thailand in 2005.

“I wanted to show Christine how beautiful this country is despite its poverty” Shane said.

Destinations are sometimes reached through circuitous routes

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Last March 3, CERV placement officer Eden Navia took 13-year old Van Mark Elisan and his mom to Manila for a possible operation to remove the horrid growth on the boy’s face. The operation is being made possible with the help of the Barnes family (USA), having met the boy in their first family volunteer program in the Philippines last year. They were able to harness the assistance of the famous craniofacial surgeon Dr Salyer.

The very next day, March 4, Vanvan (the boy’s nickname) was taken to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH). It turned out that there was confusion on the dates and they were asked to come back the same day. On March 5, Vanvan was already admitted to the plastic surgery department of the PGH.

The PGH is the country’s biggest hospital and it is where most charity cases are addressed. Consequently, the lines for the laboratories are very long and the waiting time stretches for days. Eden patiently waited in line to have Vanvan’s x-ray and CT-scan examinations to be scheduled while his mother stayed by his hospital bed to take care of the precocious child. On March 7, Vanvan was finally x-rayed and the CT-scan was finally performed on the boy on March 9. While waiting for the results, he was diagnosed with pneumonia on his right lung. On the night of March 10, Vanvan suffered convulsions, which again happened on the morning of March 11. Vanvan was later diagnosed to be suffering from epilepsy, which remained unreported by his mother until that time.

On March 12, Dr Salyer was finally able to see Vanvan. After consulting with the local doctors, Dr Salyer decided to reschedule the operation to excise the growth on the boy’s face to a later date. In the meantime, he will be given time to recover from his pneumonia and to stabilize from his successive epilepsy attacks. Many kinds of medicines are now being administered to the boy, all bought from funds wired by the Barnes family.

On March 13, Vanvan’s mother had to rush back to Romblon to prepare for the graduation ceremonies of her students. Eden was left to look over the boy with the help of Vanvan’s elder sister. On March 15, the local doctors gave Eden permission to bring home the boy while convalescing. It turned out that the boy’s mother took the hospital forms with her, without which the boy could not be discharged. Eden called the mother up to have the papers delivered by courier, which arrived the next day. On March 16, Saturday, Vanvan was discharged from the hospital.

Vanvan’s siblings who are staying in Manila could not take care of the boy. Their homes are not suited to take care of an ailing child, plus the fact that they have jobs as well. So Eden took Vanvan to stay at the CERV dorm until his operation date could be scheduled. It will be known after he undergoes check-ups on March 26 and April 1. At the CERV dorm, Vanvan found new friends in Andrea, Eden’s equally precocious daughter, and Jaja, Vincent’s niece. Vincent cooks nutricious food for the boy to make his recover faster. He also washes the boy’s clothes and ensures that he takes his medicines on time.

In the meantime, the Barnes family keeps on asking for updates from CERV.

Everyone involved in this special project could not have known there are so many other issues that delay Vanvan’s total recovery. But no one is giving up and Vanvan is on his way to a better life, albeit circuitously.

Some Farewell Letters

Dear Raymund, Eden, Vincent, Pom and Andrea,

My six weeks stay was too short but I enjoyed every minute of it! (Maybe not the balut-eating though—once-in-a-lifetime experience, I think!) Thank you so much for all your help and support and support throughout. The work you do is brilliant and I’m sure many appreciate it!

I have enjoyed experiencing a complete new culture. The location was beautiful, the people friendly, and the kids were fantastic. I hope they got as much out of I as I did! Will miss all the small fish and the laidback pace of the island.

I will go back with many memories and am looking forward to fundraise when I get home! Hope to come back one day. Keep in touch!

Love to all. EAT MORE!

Sarah Guy (England)

---

Dear Eden, Raymund, Vincent and Andrea!

Thank you so so much! for my time in the Philippines! It has been an amazing experience! I’m going to miss the awesome people here, the lovely kids from my class and chilling at Ate Wilma’s beachhouse eating sticky rice…Eden and Raymund, thank you for your support over the past six weeks! I will never forget my time here. It’s such a beautiful place! I’m going to do lots of fundraising when I get home and, hopefully, I’ll be back one day! I really appreciate all the work you do. Keep it up and keep in touch!

Lots of love,


Beth Selman (England)

This Boy Needs Help

CERV-GVN volunteers have met many wonderful people in our placement area in San Agustin, Romblon. Some recent volunteers have taken to liking a precocious 13-year old kid in Barangay (village) Sugod. He is the fourth child in seven of a carpenter and a day care center teacher.

The boy's name is Van Mark Elisan. As you can see in the picture he is suffering from encephalomeningocoele that his mother says was congenital. The condition also affects the brain and may prove fatal if left untreated. Unfortunately for the family, they could not afford the medical bills on their own.

The growth on Van-van's (his nickname) face has not stopped him from attending elementary school, which he completed last term. In recent months, however, the appendage is showing steady growth. It is already impairing his vision, making it very difficult for him to attend classes and read books.

Van-van is also suffering from a still undetermined conditioned that affects his right hand. Several fingers have become small stumps and there are scabrous wounds on his fingers, at the back of his hand, up to his wrist.

The boy has already stopped schooling. But this did not discourage him from showing hospitality to CERV volunteers like Ray and Jeanne Burnham (USA) and current volunteer Denise Dunn (Australia).

In July 2007, Van-van also met the Barnes family: Michael ("Mike", father, school building repair); Karen (mother, health); Sarah (19, teaching); Austin (16, school building repair); Isaac (14, environment); Kim (12, day care); and Lance (11, environment). Nearly a year after their program in Romblon, the family still remembers Van-van.

Mike determinedly looked for available help. He was able to convince a Dr Salyer of the World Craniofacial Foundation to see Van-van when he is in the Philippines. Dr Salyer will be arriving in Manila on March 12. The required CT scan and pre-operation medical procedures will be conducted by Dr Bernard Tansipek of the Philippine General Hospital.

Last Friday, Mike informed CERV that the students of St Francis Xavier School in St Joseph, Missouri are praying hard for Van-van.

Today, March 4, CERV placement officer Eden Navia, arrived at our offices in Quezon City with Van-van and his mom. Dr Tansipek informed us that he could also see the patient today.

While here in Manila, CERV will be taking care of Van-van and his mother. They will be staying at the CERV dorm in Quezon City. Eden will also assist in their repeated travels to and from Manila should it become necessary. CERV is committed to see that Van-van's life is uplifted with the help of our international volunteers like the Barnes family. Every child is worth and deserves the effort, after all.

Mike promised to take care of the medical and other bills, with the help of wife Karen, daughter Sarah and their other children. But nothing and no one is stopping anybody interested in providing additional help, of course. Contact us.

A Couple of Farewell Letters

To dear Eden, Vincent, Andrea, Raymond and Pom,

Firstly, I would like to thank you for your endless support and kindness. My time here in the Philippines was made all the more wonderful because of each of you.

At times I felt the program to be quite difficult and challenging but, overall, a very rewarding and satisfying experience—one that will stay with me forever.

I know that I will return home missing everyone here and all the wonders of this country. If I ever have enough time I'll be sure to come back to the Philippines and the CERV dorm will be my first stop!

So, lastly, I would like to wish you all the happiness in the world and that you continue to do such an amazing and extraordinary job.

Much love,
Rebecca Snell, Australia

To Eden, Vincent, Raymund, Pom, Andrea and the whole crew at the CERV dorm,

What an experience this has been. Thanks to you guys, I have had the time of my life here.

The things I've done like (reluctantly) eating balut, climbing the rice terraces at Batad, and being the first person to fall down the stairs have made my time here unforgettable!

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and it has been awesome to share it with you guys.

Thank you!

Keep smiling and I hope to see you all again very soon.

Adam
PS—Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi!!

Microscopes Donated

Dorinda Rife is a special school for the blind principal in Tucson, Arizona (USA). Her daughter Alexis, a marine biologist, is an environment volunteer in the Philippines.

This February, Dorinda visited her daughter in San Agustin, Romblon as Alexis is wrapping up her six-month volunteer program.

But Dorinda is no ordinary mother out on a simple visit. In Romblon, she donated a brand-new microscope to Carmen National High School-Annex, another to San Agustin National High School in Long Beach as well as science books to both schools.

She also donated school charts Sugod Elementary School and baseball equipment and charts to Cabolutan Elementary School, all in San Agustin.

“This is what I prayed for. We really need this. Thank you.” Carmen principal Patricia M Marquez said.

San Agustin principal Rommel F Mallorca for his part said, “This is one thing we wanted but never had.”

Both Dorinda and Alexis were touched by the school’s effusive words of gratitude.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers said that the country’s educational system is suffering its worst crisis in terms of teacher, classroom, textbook and desk shortages. ACT estimates that the national textbook shortages to be around 3.5 million. Imagine what a huge help the microscopes, books, equipment and charts are to the thousand of students in San Agustin.

Alexis is due to end her volunteer program on the 23rd of the month. She hopes to publish a book on the local marine ecology based on her six-month stint in Romblon.

We know where she got her volunteering spirit from, of course.

Former Volunteer Wins a Movie-Making Contest

Malcolm Trevena - a two-times former volunteer - has won a movie-making contest for the work he did in Uganda!  Check out the video here.

You might also want to check out Malcolm's volunteer experiences in the Philippines here and here.

Malcolm is due to volunteer in the Philippines (again!) in August 2008.  He plans to stay for two years and we can't wait to have him back!

Books and Education Supplies

Former CERV volunteer Richard Kastenschmidt of Wisconsin, USA revisited his beneficiary schools to donate books and education supplies. In March 2007, he spent two weeks in the school building and repair program installing exhaust fans and building cabinets for multimedia equipment earlier donated by volunteer Tracy Pillay of Australia.

Richard visited the Gold and Pinadama Yakap day care centers in Quezon City last January 19 to personally hand over his donations. It was his first time to actually meet the kids as it was the summer break when he first volunteered.

Later in the day, Richard met some members of the Samahan ng Kabataan ng Sitio Veterans (SKSV or the Youth Association of Sitio Veterans) who are now using the computer he donated. He also gave the students reference software to help them with their school work.

SKSV is a pioneering group of elementary and high school students who, instead of joining gangs, formed study groups and cultural troupes for performances in the Philippines and abroad. Their songs and skits on the harshness of Philippine social realities helped them secure grants for the construction of a library, clinic and day care center for their impoverished community.

Since March last year, Richard has also donated a laptop computer for CERV’s administrative tasks.
Richard is a driving teacher and an avid biker, often touring the American Rockies with his wife who also rides motorcycles. Richard hopes to come back to the Philippines in three years with wife Renee

Leaving the Philippines

Getting to the Philippines can be hard.  There are those pesky visa forms, immunization shots, airfares and deciding just which woolen coat to take.  (Hint: Take neither).

But, leaving the Philippines is even harder!

One of volunteers had to leave early due to health reasons.  His volunteer buddy sent him the following letter to let him know what he missed.

Be sure to check out Alan's photos of the farewell ceremony.

(and, yes.  Both Alan and Peter are cool with us publishing this letter!)

Hi Peter,
I was sorry to hear about your early departure and hope that it's working out well for you.

Well, there certainly were some "Honours" to do…!

We started at Gold Day Care Centre at 10:00am with an eager class full of children and parents with an hour wait for dignitaries from City Hall to arrive. This in itself was quite an event as it's not often that officials from the Social Services Department (it's not the Education Dept that runs day care) come visiting. So the hour long wait was spent being entertained by the children dancing and otherwise showing amazing patience.

So this honoured guest sat around inside while poor Vincent finished off the last of the outside wall on his own

At 11:00 the VIPs arrived and we were presented with framed certificates from the school parents, and another certificate from the Social Services Department . I was also presented with a lovely leaving scroll signed by all of the Parents. Raymund accepted the certificates on your behalf. Then to my horror I was given the microphone – but it was for a few words, not Karaoke..! Then more dancing entertainment from the children until the VIPs had to leave to visit another school nearby.

A dancing free-for-all ensued with most parents and students, from which there was no escape. A slap-up feast followed – two shifts, first for the adults then children, followed by a walk to the Pinadama Day Care Centre.

Here we started with some time-filling dancing before the children each lined up at the door to bring in a large cardboard letter to be stuck onto the blackboard. They slowly spelled out "THANK YOU SIR PETER & ALAN" a lovely gesture.

Next we sat in the guest of honour seats under the blackboard and listened to a traditional Farewell Song followed by two lovely dances, the first in traditional style, the other more modern. Some speeches, then lunch again. The hospitality and heartfelt gratitude was almost overwhelming.

I waited a while before sending this to you so that I could first get some photos up on the web. They are at www.flickr.com/photos/alanfry/sets

I hope you enjoy them as I'm sure they'll bring back the same warm memories for you as they do for me.

With best wishes
Regards
Alan

Rice Three Times a Day

We were not scheduled to start our Environment project that day so we decided to return in the afternoon and start painting.. With four of us working we made great progress. The teachers are all very appreciative and the children are sweet. At each break time we have an audience of several children watching silently or asking “What is your name”. Their instruction is in both Filipino and English but their English is still in progress, hence the questions that they have learned in class. We enjoyed the painting experience so much that we returned Thursday and painted all day, with a break to return for lunch with our host family. We intend alternating between the Environment and the Painting projects during our stay here.

To learn more about Ray and Jeanne Burnham's volunteer experience with CERV, click here.

San Augustin Certificate to CERV

The municipal government of San Agustin (Romblon) awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to CERV-Philippines following a series of medicine and supply donations by one of its volunteers.

CERV volunteer Dr Kelly Wulfkuhle, MD donated PhP62,250.00 worth of much-needed medicines and supplies to the town’s Municipal Health Office and the San Agustin District Hospital operated by the Provincial Government of Romblon.

In a formal program at the San Agustin Town Hall, the awarding ceremonies was led by San Agustin mayor Emmanuel F. Madrona and municipal health officer I Dr. Deogracia S. Muleta, MD .

The certificate cited CERV’s “valuable and continuing contributions to the municipality through (its) foreign health volunteers…their untiring efforts to exchange knowledge and technology with local health workers…(and) their warm and harmonious…relationship with the people of San Agustin, Romblon.”

While it is the practice of health office and the hospital to issue certificates to donations, this is the first time that the Local Government Unit and its Health Office awarded such a certificate to CERV-Philippines.

San Agustin is CERV-Philippines’s provincial placement, located on the archipelagic province of Romblon south of the country’s main Luzon island.