By Maritoni L. Saberon | Project Officer
July 24, 2015. It was a rainy night when we travelled by land to Leyte province. Cramped in the van with all the school supplies that we will be giving away to the children victims of typhoon Haiyan, the 16 hour land trip was less comfortable, however, the sweet anticipation of what awaited us in our destination gave us the excitement to reach the place.
We arrived at the Children’s Joy Foundation, Inc.’s action center in Tacloban City by lunch time the next day. We rested for a few hours and then diligently set to work, segregating the school supplies and packing them in individual bags ready for distribution on the big day. On Sunday, we bought all the other necessary stuff for the day care centers like tables, chairs, and additional learning materials for the kids.
Barangay Cabuynan, Tanauan, Leyte
At around 7 am of July 27, we were ready for the two turnover ceremonies scheduled on that day. First stop was in Barangay Cabuynan, Tanauan, Leyte. Parents and their kids were already gathered at the basketball covered court thrilled of the event that was about to happen. At exactly 9 am, the ceremonial rites of the turnover of the brand new day care center began. Village chief Ramil said that the project given to Barangay Cabuynan is a big help as the villagers seemed to have lost their hope of restoring their lives. “Our sincerest thanks to CJFI for giving us importance. For all of you who help us through Global Giving, thank you for joining us in our journey in developing our barangay to be more progressive. Thank you very much. May God reward you for all your kindness and generosity,” he added.
CJFI executive director Rosemarie N. Dimagnaong assured the beneficiaries that the foundation will continue to support them. “Dili namo mo kalimtan ug naa lang gihapon mi sa kanunay na magtabang sa inyoha through some assistance. Unang-una sa pagtan-aw sa mga bata sa ilang school supplies. Salamat sab sa commitment ni barangay kapitan na alagaan ninyo ang inyohang day care center para magamit pa sa sunod na kabataan dinhi sa barangay Cabuynan (We will continue to help you by providing your chidren’s school supplies. We also thank the commitment of Barangay Captain to take good care of the center so the next generation of young children of Cabuynan will also benefit from it)."
The program proceeded with the ceremonial cutting of ribbon, unveiling of the mark, and the distribution of school supplies to the children. Marissa, 36, was grateful of the blessings as her youngest child is one of the beneficiaries of the said learning center. “Nalipay gyud ko nga naa nay tarong na day care center ang mga bata. Sauna gamay na ulan ug kulog, mangahadlok na ang mga bata gusto na dayon muuli. Siguro karon nga lig-on man ang pagkabuhat niining eskwelahan, makahatag gyud kini ug assurance sa mga bata nga sipti sila diri sa center (I am really happy that the children have a new day care center. After Haiyan, children got scared with the light shower and thunder that they wanted to rush home. Perhaps, with the durable foundation of the school building, the children will be assured somehow that they are safe.”
Barangay Cabuynan has a total of 5, 633 residents with 53 deaths due to typhoon Haiyan. Its day care center now caters to 104 kids who are grouped into three sessions- two in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Barangay Poblacion, Tolosa, Leyte
By 2 p.m., parents and their children already gathered in a tent when we arrived at the site in Barangay Poblacion, Tolosa in Leyte. Municipal mayor Erwin and barangay captain Edilberto with other barangay officials graced the event. Edilberto said, “Pasalamat ta nga kita ang napili na tagaan ug day care center sa CJFI. Ang mga kabataan malipayon kay komportable na sila. Nalipay ang mga parents ug teachers nga grabe pud ang sakripisyo sukad nahitabo ang Yolanda (We are thankful that CJFI chose us to be given this new day care center. Our children are happy because they can now be comfortable. The parents and teachers who have sacrificed so much since Haiyan hit us are also happy).”
Day care teacher Virginia, 55, thanked CJFI and Global Giving for the new day care center complete with the children’s tables and chairs, wash rooms plus the school supplies for the kids and the instructional materials that she herself received. “Sa kakulangon sa budget para sa instructional materials, nagagamit na lang ko ug recyclable na mga butang para makatabang sa ako na maminaw gyud ang mga bata sa lesson ug sila makakat-on. Kining inyong gihatag, dako na gyud nga tabang sa akoa. Daghang Salamat (With the lack of budget for instructional materials, I learned to use recyclable things to help me sustain the children’s interest in learning. What you gave is a big help to me. Thank you so much).”
The barangay is surely recovering from typhoon Haiyan’s devastating effects. Its residents learned to rely on themselves and not on others’ help anymore as livelihood in the village were already available.
Barangay Danao, MacArthur, Leyte
July 30 was a memorable day for the residents of Barangay Danao, MacArthur. We, together with two representatives of Dell Philippines, arrived in the village hall where parents and their children, barangay officials, and onlookers were gathered. Youths approached us and gave us flower leis. Much to our surprise, they prepared a program for us with children and youths rendering song and dance numbers. After the program, we had the cutting of the ribbon and the unveiling of the mark. Not only school supplies but also toys and slippers were given to the children. The barangay captain said, “Maraming salamat sa CJFI and Global Giving na nagbigay sa amin ng day care center. Kasi nung dati nababasa ang mga bata kapag umuulan. Malaking pasasalamat namin (We thank CJFI and Global Giving for giving us this day care center. Before, the children got wet every time it rained. Thank you very much.)”
The grateful beneficiaries and the warm welcome in all three villages in Leyte paid off all the efforts of everyone in making these projects possible. Travelling home on that night, we shared the success of the events, fulfilled that we had accomplished a mission that brought hope to the Haiyan victims.
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