Laguna - Flooded with Relief

 

 

In several areas we saw the effects of the floods and water from the lake surrounding 

many homes.

On Aug 23, 2012, two trucks full of 1,500 hygiene and food kits headed toward Laguna, followed by a van full of very naive senior missionaries!

Just before we arrived at the Siniloan Chapel, we experiences our first flooded roadway

 where the trucks had to drive very slowly.

Marbitac was our first of four stops.  Over a thousand people had been waiting for almost

 two hours for us to arrive.

Elder DuPaix went to great lengths to document all that was happening!

When we finally began handing out the kits, torrential rains began again and pounded the 

metal roofing.  It was hard to hear the heartfelt"Maraming Salamat" and "Many thanks" 

that came from these humble people.

This young man was trying his hand at fishing! I don't think he was having much luck!

Waiting for the food trucks to make their way around a flooded roadway to our second stop.

Even a disaster didn't stop these little boys from playing on the railing while they were 

waiting for the kits to be handed out!

These are the most patient people I know. They were all lined up in straight lines just 

waiting and waiting for some supplies.  I'm so glad we got to be here to help.

This is the third place we stopped.

This man and his little child were suppose to be able to get food at our second stop.  

He missed the distribution but since the food was so needed he rode his bike, with his little 

child, to the next town. He rode twelve miles in between the towns so he could turn in his ticket

 for his food and hygiene kits.

A dad will do all he can to take care of his family!

We got to meet Sis. Augustine in Laguna.  Her dad is one of our Area 70 and he was at 

one of our Public Affairs trainings just a few weeks before.  It was fun to get to meet

 his cute daughter.

Our greatest joy as we drove away was that even though there were still many in need, 

many received some food and other aid that day.

GMA Kapuso Foundation - Wheelchairs

 We had the most amazing, emotional experience we have ever had.  We got to attend an event sponsored by a local TV station where applications were taken for people who needed 

wheelchairs.  They were then evaluated and if they could be helped, they were invited to

 come. Here they were measured and fitted for either new chairs or given chairs when they 

had never had them before.  This was done in partnership of GMA, LDS Charities, 

and the Philippines Marine Corp.

 Jerry was one of the first fitted.  He had polio when he was young and now he is 42.  

 He runs a little shop next to the TV station where his 14 year old son helped him 

until he passed away of leukemia in April.  Jerry was so happy. I asked if he was 

always smiling and he said yes.

Jean Rose and Regine are eleven and seven-year-old sisters who both suffer from CP.  Jean Rose had an old ill fitting wheelchair, so both girls had hopes of going home with new ones.  Jean Rose was measured quickly and was so excited as they sat her in a new standard wheelchair.

Regine was fitted for an intermediate chair that would give support to her head.  It has to

 be made especially for her so after they measured her, they sat her back in her mom’s lap. 

 Regine was heart broken because she thought she wasn't going to get a chair.  We all cried

 when we saw how upset she was. They went and got her a chair to take home until hers is 

ready. She was so excited! 

 

 Landrico's brother in law put rollers on a chair for him.  It was wonderful to see him
fitted with his own wheelchair.

 When we weren’t tearing up, we were smiling!

Fifteen-year-old Matthew is the oldest of seven children. He was born by normal delivery, 

but when his mother brought him home she discovered he had a shunt in his head and was

 having seizures.  The doctors didn’t know what his prognosis would be. His mom said she 

took him to church every Friday, and when he was six years old, he finally began to crawl. 

At six and a half, he learned to sit up, and between seven and eight, he began to walk. 

 As he grew, the weight of his upper body increased his need for a wheelchair.  When he 

was assessed, they were excited to find that he had enough mobility that they were able to 

give him a walker.  Matthew was so excited that he immediately took off on his thin little 

 legs; he was so wobbly that he almost fell.  He was immediately measured for a 

wheelchair, but was also able to take the walker so that he would not lose the mobility 

that he had already gained. What a beautiful smile he has on his face!

Mark Ronald has muscular distrophy and has been cared for by his grandfather since 

he was young. Two years ago he was able to go to college and major in graphic arts. 

Then in December he had a stroke.  This wheelchair was so necessary for him to function.

 This is one of the most tender experiences we have had so far.  What amazing stories these wonderful people have!