Nigel and I walked together from Segovia to Sahugun, he continued to Santiago and is now helping out in the Philippines:
Hi MarianneI bet you've been wondering where I've been hiding.......! Unfortunately been without phone, email and quite often electricity! But at last found a PAYG sim that seems to find the internet every now and then! So here goes with an update which I hope you receive.........
I'm on Cebu Island and living at the very north of the island in a place called Daanbantayan, which was pretty well devastated when Yolanda hit. 20,000 homes damaged, 6,000 wiped out and 80,000 people affected. Luckily only 9 people killed here as they got a warning to evacuate as it hit here about 6 hours after Tacloban, and thank goodness the tide had gone out so the water surge only hit the first few metres of the coast.
But things are still pretty uncoordinated at the moment, but while there is plenty of food and water, repairs and shelter will take for ever as there is very little money and even less available building materials.... It is a mystery where all the aid is going as it is only trickling in here.
I'm working with the Mayor's disaster relief team (which including me = 5 people!). I'm trying to set up a plan for coordinating things on the ground and to start to get shelter for all those without a roof! Typical problem...... we've been promised 3,000 tarpaulins for over a week now but they haven't turned up yet! Most of the Filipinos are so keen to get going with rebuilding but without the coordination and money it will be a long job. It is just so remarkable that even when they have lost everything, they still smile most of the time. Despite the carnage we are living in here, life is going on and everyone goes about their business with a gusto still trying to make a living! The Filipino's are terrifically friendly and welcoming which makes my task much more pleasurable.
My 'office' is on the first floor of the Town Hall but I can only work when its not raining as there is no roof....but the Mayor has loaned me his umbrella!
I will be here to the end of this week and relocating to Bogo City where me and 3 other Brits are helping to clear and rebuild classrooms at a badly damaged elementary school where they lost everything, papers, books, pencils etc. That will be good to get stuck into that project for a couple of weeks. I was working there at the weekend and met some of the kids there and they are just so awesome; polite, well behaved, respectful and with smiles that never disappear. They have affectionately christened me as Mr Giant and think my Gangnam Style dancing is funny for some reason! I will take photos and videos and would like to think I could arrange to 'twin' the school with one in the UK as a cultural exchange and fund raiser.
I'm doing great and apart from a few bites, am in good health, albeit sweating buckets in 30 C heat and 90% humidity day and night - and NO beer or wine!! I'm still greatly motivated despite the frustration of the lack of aid and so pleased to be part of the recovery no matter how small.
Enough from me for now....... I'll try and update again as time goes on as long as the power and internet flicker in and out!
I will be going to USA for Christmas en route to my next destination wherever that will be!! I will be flying out on 23rd December having only got back to UK on 19th. Only two-thirds of the way round the world then, but Bryn and I may just keep flying round and end up back here in the Philippines! There is so much to do here, but I'll let you know!
Hope you are keeping good and looking forward to Christmas too. Believe it or not, everyone here is decorating their homes (or what's left!!) with the same decs we put up. It looks strange to me seeing reindeer and sleds in this heat, but I guess that's normal for you!!
Sending much love
Nigel
