I did not think much of the threat of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) last Friday. I even flew home to Manila for a weekend visit then went out for dinner on Saturday. On Sunday, as news of the devastation of eastern Visayas started coming in, it became clear that damage to life and property was overwhelming. There were no words for it.
On Monday, I started reading of governments, people, and companies from all over the world all scrambling to help. And, just like everyone else, I felt that I had to do something fast. Small donations to the Philippine Red Cross and Unicef for Children were, thankfully, painless to make online. The next couple of days, I remembered that I do have some friends who still have family in the Visayas. After a few emails and Facebook queries, I found four instances where direct help was needed.
I learned so much in the last few days. Through a friend of mine who is helping through the Philippine Business for Social Progress in Cebu City, I learned that for as little as P800 to P1,000 (not even HK200 or USD25), one can help a family of 6 people with their caloric requirements for 5 days. The pack consists of:
• 8 kg rice
• 1 kg sugar
• 1 kg salt
• ½ kg monggo
• ½ kg dried fish
• 4 cans of sardines
• 1 pint cooking oil
• Bottled water
• 1 bar of soap and additional non-food item
This typhoon has taught me that it takes so little to make a difference in this world. We just have to want to do it.
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