Fifth relief mission for victims of Typhoon Ondoy "Ketsana"

On 29 October, we went again to Montaban to distribute 60 bags of relief goods to the victims of the Ondoy "Ketsana" floods. Each bag contained a can of food, clothes, a bar of soap, shampoo and washing detergent.

This time, we stayed longer with each family to listen to their struggles and to pray with them.

Many families shared the urgent need to repair their houses. Although most of them have tried to patch up their homes with bits of ply wood, canvas and other materials that they can find, they live in fear of the next typhoon that could destroy their fragile shelters. Some families still live in houses that have only 3 walls, exposing them to all the elements of the weather. Thus far, we have identified the most urgent homes in need of repairs and we would like to supply them with basic building materials for the repairs. Watch this space for more updates and information!

For more information on how you can help contribute to the ongoing relief efforts, please go to

http://icpephilippines.blogspot.com/2009/10/donations-for-relief-typhoon-ondoy.html

from the mouth of babes... their experience of Typhoon Ondoy "Ketsana"

Last week, as we continued distributing blankets and medicines in Montalban, a throng of young children gathered round the van. Their smiles and friendly grins belied the trauma that they experienced when Typhoon Ondoy (“Ketsana”) left all of them stranded on their rooftop for two hours. Three best friends, Raychelle, Janella and Jerilyn shared their experience with us.

Jerilyn, age 6, said “I was sad and afraid. We were on our roof for two hours.”
“The water was very, very cold,” Raychelle, age 5, piped in. “It came over our heads in the house.”
Janella, the youngest of the three added, “A few kind men helped us climb up the roof. I was crying." After a short pause, she added, "My mother is working in another town now.”

“Her younger brother is there too. They are only two siblings.” said the ever helpful Raychelle.

To help the family recover after the floods, Janella’s mother found a job and relocated to another town while Janella remains in Montalban with her aunt.

Looking at their house, I saw a piece of the zinc roof leaning on the wall. Grubby, damp clothes filled the whole zinc roof, apparently left to dry after the floods. Jenny, Janella’s aunt shared that everything was spoiled when the waters filled their whole house. “At least I still have a door and a window for my house,” she smiles as she cradles her toddler.
Amazingly, although they seem to have picked up and continued with their lives, everywhere around them the physical scars remain, a haunting reminder of the traumatic scourge left by Typhoon Ondoy "Ketsana".

For more information on how you can channel your support for these victims, please go to

http://icpephilippines.blogspot.com/2009/10/donations-for-relief-typhoon-ondoy.html

House cleaning of a different sort- continuing with relief efforts

Eddy, age 36, worked hard as a construction worker to support his wife and 3 young children (age 8, 6 and 2 years). To supplement the family income, the family reared pigs and were looking forward to selling their pigs when tragedy happened. Typhoon Ondoy “Ketsana” unleashed the rains that swelled the river banks nearby, washing away all of Eddy's pigs and flooding his whole house. In the aftermath of the floods, Eddy’s house was filled with forty centimetres high of mud that covered all his possessions.

Thankfully, Eddy managed to escape with his family. Discovering his plight during the food distribution efforts for the victims of the typhoon, our 3 brothers in community-Denzil, Domi and Mike have been helping Eddy slowly dig through the pile of slippery mud encasing every inch of the floor space.
“I’m so thankful to all of you for helping me." says a grateful Eddy.

The work is slow and back breaking. Gradually the men have uncovered Eddy's pile of clothes soaked in 3 weeks of rain water. "I asked Eddy whether he wanted us to help him throw the clothes away but he said to set it aside. He will wash and reuse it. You cannot imagine the stench of clothes soaked in water for that long!" said Denzil, a member of our community who helped shovel the mud.

Our efforts continue as God enables us to creatively help the different families find hope and continue with their lives.

To find out how you can channel your support for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy "Ketsana", please go to

http://icpephilippines.blogspot.com/2009/10/donations-for-relief-typhoon-ondoy.html

More medicines and blankets for victims of Typhoon Ondoy (“Ketsana”)

Yesterday, 15 October, we continued our relief mission for the victims of the floods after the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy (“Ketsana”) with the distribution of 100 Paracetamol pills for fever, 200 anti-diarrhoea pills and 603 blankets.


As this was our fourth relief mission there, we were greeted warmly by the families. The children gathered inquisitively around the open van and offered to help fill up sacks with blankets for distribution.

We thank our generous sponsors from Singapore who provided these medicines and blessed the many who are in need. Felina, a grandmother of 3, gratefully shared “I have fever and headaches now. God must have heard my prayers and sent you to give me this medicine!”

We are still accepting donations and help for the victims as they continue to rebuild their houses and homes. For more information on how you can channel your support, please go to

http://icpephilippines.blogspot.com/2009/10/donations-for-relief-typhoon-ondoy.html

Medicines and bedding mats for Typhoon Ondoy (“Ketsana”) victims...

Last Thursday, 8 October, our relief mission continued as we revisited the families in Montalban who were left homeless in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy (“Ketsana”). As the slight drizzle turned into a steady rain, we walked across mud covered trails to reach whatever was left of the houses damaged by the floods near the river. At the nearby evacuation site, empty shells of unoccupied structures without electricity and water supply served as temporary homes to forty families.

We distributed 300 packs of basic first aid items (band aid, iodine, cough tablets and cotton buds), 100 antifungal cream for skin infections and 300 mats as bedding. Many were overjoyed to receive the little gifts. Even more flashed brilliant smiles of gratitude in spite of the obvious mammoth task of rebuilding houses.

In one house, our intrepid community members lent their muscles to shovel off forty centimetres deep of mud that literally covered every inch of floor space. Underneath the mud, they uncovered bags of clothes soaked in 2 weeks of flood water, a solidified mattress and piles of other pieces of furniture now no longer usable.

We are continuing with the relief efforts in Montalban for the flood victims. Many families are still in need of more basic medication like Paracetamol and anti-diarrhoea medication. School-going children whose clothes and books were washed off in the floods need these items to continue studying.

We are still accepting and appealing for more support and donations. If you are interested to partner us in the relief efforts, please go to

http://icpephilippines.blogspot.com/2009/10/donations-for-relief-typhoon-ondoy.html

for more information on how you can channel your support.
Do also feel free to write to us at : philippines@icpe.org for more updates and information.

what the receipients of our flood relief efforts say...

dedicated to our sponsors of the Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) relief efforts...

Maraming salamat (thank you in Filipino)!

More medicines for Ondoy (Ketsana)

On-going work is being carried out for the aid of victims of Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana). We have, till this date distributed 1300 packages filled with an assortment of goodies, from rice, to canned goods, biscuits and clean drinking water. We are able to supply these only through the generosity of the hearts of friends and family around the world! Thanks to everyone who supported the victims with cash donations, in kind and with a lot of prayer.

In the days to come, we hope to raise funds to purchase more medications like Paracetamol, Diatabs (for diarrhea), fungal cream, antiseptic cream, mats for bedding, blankets/sheets. Many of whom have already lost everything they have and now living in huts with only a roof (and no walls).

Every US$6 donated provides a pack for these families. Do feel free to write to us at : philippines@icpe.org

For details on how to partner us and donate directly in aid of these families:

http://icpephilippines.blogspot.com/2009/10/donations-for-relief-typhoon-ondoy.html

Donations for relief (Typhoon Ondoy 'Ketsana')

Thanking you in advance on your generous hearts.

Every dollar, every contribution in kind is much appreciated.

For all donations and contributions:
Please send an email with your name, contact details and donation amount to: philippines@icpe.org so that we can keep a track record of donations. If you wish to remain anonymous, kindly send us just the donated amount.

If you are contributing to us from overseas, you can send a telegraphic transfer to us directly in Philippines:
Bank account name: ICPE PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION INC
Peso account: 003-115250-040
Bank address: HSBC, Ground floor, Discovery Suites. 25, ADB Avenue Oritigas Centre. Pasig City. Metro Manila. Philippines
Swift code: HSBC PHMM
Purpose of transfer: Ondoy relief

If you are in Singapore:
You can contribute with a deposit via internet banking to our ICPE Singapore.
POSB Savings Account: 171-36923-1
Bank account name: Fong Tim Heng Esther & Chai Hui Chuan Amilia
Contact person in Singapore (ICPE Missionary) Amilia Chai - 98291382

Thanks and God bless!

1 Oct 2009 Rations distribution at Montalban, Rizal, Philippines

This is our mission! And what a way to commemorate the feast of St Therese of Liseux, who is the patron saint of missionaries! (Please mouse-over the slide show for captions)

Typhoon Ondoy and our new mission!

You’ve probably already heard and seen much on the news about typhoon ‘Ondoy’ (or ‘Ketsana’). It is reported to be worse then Hurricane ‘Katrina’ in the US and its devastation much more widespread.

Here in the mission centre, we are blessed to be protected. But all the same, our hearts go out to the survivors of the flood, many of whom are still living in what is left of their homes, many still flooded.

On the first day, we were at a relief centre, packing rations & toiletries, forming assembly lines to fill the vehicles so that these can be distributed.

We have been ministering to a place in Montalban (now known as Rodriguez) in Erap City for the last few years. And this place is not easily accessible with only one road in and out. And immediately, we wanted to bring as much as we can to Montalban. In faith, we started purchasing the bare basic rations. We have already spent S$2000 for 300 packages so far, and there is so much more needed for these families.

We appeal on behalf of these families who have basic needs to be met.
We appeal to your generosity.

As one missionary said after a day’s work of handing out rations in the rain ‘I have often wondered what I can do to help when I see these disasters happen on tv, but today I had the rare opportunity to work help in the areas of devastation to bring relief and hope with these packages.’

If you want to contribute, you can send a telegraphic transfer to us directly:
Bank account name: ICPE PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION INC
Peso account: 003-115250-040
Bank address: HSBC, Ground floor, Discovery Suites. 25, ADB Avenue Oritigas Centre. Pasig City. Metro Manila. Philippines
Swift code: HSBC PHMM

Purpose of transfer: Ondoy relief

If you are in Singapore:
you can contribute directly with a deposit via internet banking.
POSB Savings Account: 171-36923-1
Bank account name: Fong Tim Heng Esther & Chai Hui Chuan Amilia
Contact person in Singapore (ICPE Missionary) Amilia Chai - 98291382

For all donations and contributions:
Please send an email with your name, contact details and donation amount to: philippines@icpe.org so that we can keep a track record of donations. If you wish to remain anonymous, kindly send us just the donated amount.

Thanks and God bless!