By Balitang America Staff
December 27, 2011
A team of Canadians left behind their families this Christmas to bring clean water to the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the Philippines. Members of Global Medic said it’s their own way of giving meaning to Christmas this year.
Global Medic coordinator Shawn Carby was among those who played Santa to typhoon victims in the Philippines this year. Their gifts…water purification tablets and filter systems to bring 11.4 million litres of clean drinking water in areas hit by Sendong.
The team left Vancouver Friday and arrived in Cagayan de Oro Christmas Day. He said, “It wasnt a hard decision to leave..its also Christmas for those in the Philippines..the flood victims need us more.”
Global Medic earlier sent a Rapid Response team to bring water purification tablets to Cagayan de Oro, and their follow up mission will augment the continuing need by typhoon victims.
Their trip was made possible by Philippine Airlines in Vancouver, which sponsored their flight and almost 2 tons of cargo.
Also in Canada, a group of Pinoys coordinated with an evacuation area in Iligan City and used social media to gather help during the busy Christmas season.
They donated money, clothes and time to help kababayans devastated by the Sendong flashfloods. Data show that more than 1,200 people have perished in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City.
It all started on Facebook, when organizer Ryan Ferrer, who is from Mindanao, reposted appeals for help from friends in Iligan.
Social media has once again played a big role in mobilizing the Filipino community as it took only a few days to organize this relief effort. More than 3,000 in cash and pledges were raised, as well as 20 balikbayan boxes of goods ready for shipment. They also plan to send ready-to-eat meals in the stricken areas.
Ferrer said, “We have around $2,000 worth of medicines that we plan to bring to Iligan in the next few days.”
Meantime, in Panorama City, California, Filipinos also came together to share the gift of music — for a cause. Over 20 local musicians put together a special concert called, “We Are One”. The concert raised over $8,000 for ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya Program, which will aid in relief efforts for the victims of Sendong.
In Daly City, California, the Pilipino Bayanihan Resource Center (PBRC) is asking the community to drop off clothes, canned food and other goods at their office this Thursday, December 29, from 5 pm-9 pm at 2121 Junipero Serra Blvd. You may contact (650) 992-9110 for more information.
With reports from Marieton Pacheco and Cecile Docto.
