Klement Backpacking and Ministry: Relief Operation to Yolanda Victims

by Cheryl Derequito

"Every good act is charity. A man's true wealth hereafter is

the good that he does in this world to his fellows." -Moliere

HAIYAN (YOLANDA) was an extremely catastrophic super typhoon and is considered the most powerful of all super typhoons. November 8, 2013 will always be part of history for it is on this day that Yolanda took thousands of lives and wiped out almost all of Leyte & Samar. As to this day, the death toll is close to 6,000.

Trying to rescue lives & rebuild the destroyed cities in Central Visayas has been an unending contributed effort of many countries around the world. For Filipinos around the globe, it means sacrificing our own comfort to be able to help the survivors. Klement '09 started collecting funds to help our 3 batchmates' families in Leyte. However, some donors and friends put in some money for distribution of relief goods. So we decided to have one. The original plan was to have it in Ormoc, Leyte. However, time and man-power wouldn't permit so we had to have it in Bogo, Cebu. With the help of friends in Cebu, the relief operation in Bogo was made possible.

Final Preparations -- Dec. 7, 2013 (Saturday Night)

GSDH (General Santos Doctors' Hospital) Laboratory Department Representatives

It's humbling to be entrusted with P31,000 from them (to think we aren't an established charity organization). Thank you so much GSDH Laboratory Family!

GSDH Laboratory actively took part

We budgeted 100 packs with the following goods inside.
1. Lampara with 1 cup gas
2. Bath Soap
3. Family Sardines (2)
4. Instant Noodles (2)
5. Family Size Toothpaste
6. Toothbrushes (4)

7. Speed bar soap
8. Sachets of Shampoo (6)
9. Blanket
10. Big Bath Towel
11. Packs of Biscuits (2)
12. Pack of Sanitary Napkins
13. Matchboxes (10)

December 8, 2013

We left Cebu City at 5:00AM and arrived Bogo at 7:30AM.

Here's a sneak peak of the damage Yolanda brought to Northern Cebu.

The program started at 8:30AM & the venue was in Nailon SDA Church. We started with a prayer & some instructions from the organizers of the event. Roma Rica's Aunt from the US donated 50 sacks of rice repacked to accomodate 700 coupons/families. Before the distribution of goods, a 30-minute service with songs and an inspiring message from Pr. Pagunsan was held. The 700 beneficiaries were divided into 3 groups. Thus, the service & the distribution of goods were held 3 times. Our 100 packs of goods, however, because of its limited number, were distributed to families pre-listed as the most affected in that area. The event finished at around 12:30PM

They received a "lampara" for the first time. It was what they appreciated the most
& it made them really happy coz it might take 3-4 months to fix their electricity.

A variety of vegetable seeds were provided.

Religious pamphlets/booklets/magazines were also distributed.

On our way home, there were people (mostly kids) by the road side. Most of them live far away from civilization but are now seen by the road side due to their desperate need. They are more less fortunate than the ones in the barios or barangays because they don't get reached by relief operations. We wish we had more to give but we had very little left from the main relief operation. All of us were touched by these sights and wish we could raise funds to come back for these people by the road.