When We Cared, When We Shared

"Why, then, was there so much misery? Why, then, was greed more consistent than kindness? Why were so many left to fend for themselves in the most harsh of conditions attendant to poverty when there is great abundance and wealth available to ease t...he pain of scarcity? Why do those in power prove unable to resist the temptation to exploit the very people they were sworn to protect and serve?

It occurred to me that life is giving us all the choices to be there for one another, and intensifies this reality through natural calamities. Yet, we choose more often not to care when we can care, not to share when we can share, to take advantage when we can be generous, to use the uniform for war when it can save lives. There is so much goodwill and sympathy around us, triggered by the sight and need of so many who have died, who have suffered, who went sick and hungry.

I hope that many of us will remember this moment when we cared more and gave more, and that it is always a choice we can make.

~ Jose Ma. Montelibano (Read the whole article here)

Message from SDEAS Dean

Last week Rak Corpuz, President of PFD, texted Giselle and told her of the difficult situation of some Deaf persons in the areas of Baguio, Nueva Ecija, La Union, and La Trinidad. These areas were affected by Typhoon Pepeng that came after Typhoon Ondoy. There are around 250 Deaf persons who are in need of help. If you can still donate food or money, or know people who can donate, SDEAS is accepting donations to be sent to Baguio for distribution through Rak Corpuz and other friends we have already contacted.

The donations we need are:

• rice
• canned goods
• dried fish
• biscuits
  

You can bring your donations to the SDEAS Office or C-DEAF Office.

Thank you very much for your generosity. J

Nicky

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Maria Veronica Templo-Perez

School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

#2544 Taft Avenue, Manila

(632) 5267441 loc. 131/210

www.dls-csb.edu.ph

KASAMA

KASAMA
Karapatan sa Malikhaing Paraan

2009 SEARCH FOR PHILIPPINE
INNOVATIVE HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVES

Formal Launch
October 13, 2009 Tuesday, 2:00 - 5:00 P.M.
Balay Kalinaw, U.P. Diliman

October 5, 2009 - Thank you

We would like to thank Liwanag Candles for the 5 boxes of candles they sent along with t-shirts to be given to those affected by the calamities. THANK YOU, Mr. Sevilla!

Also a complimentary donation from Fuego Matches- water proof! The donation was facilitated by Ms Ellen Lumayor.

Salamat for the light!

Oct 2 Relief Efforts

9/2/09
Even with the school having half day operations, a number of Deaf volunteers still came in. We had to put the undistributed relief on the tables lest water threatens the classrooms/ offices again. We also had a briefing on the SDEAS communication system and what to do in case disaster strike.

Spoke with Richard of Philcoced. He inquired if we have more food to distribute. I said yes we have boiled eggs and kamote but the car can't travel far. We agreed to leave the food in Magic Touch, Edsa Central and Philcoced team would pick it up from there and bring to the intended PWD community. We had water to spare and medicines (4 boxes- full!) from the Social Action Office was added. He did mention that he hopes we can set up the kitchen and have a team help in the clean up efforts in TWH.

Mass capped the relief efforts for the week. We had to send the students home.

Another community (c/o interpreter Ronnie) from Novaliches/Fairview came in to request for relief. Good thing we have something ready to share.

Just before Pepeng starts I got a text from Richard that the relief was picked up and on its way to a community. Got a call from Noli Agcaoli who mentioned that the community enjoyed the adobo and binagoongan.

Some thoughts: hope telecom companies would also lower texting costs. We can't enjoy the P3/minute call since it can't be used by the deaf communities.

Nicky and I got texts from non-CSB deaf who reported that they too were affected by Ondoy.

Acknowledgements: thanks to the donors: Sary, Nicky's newest angel for the food; still to be picked up donations from Syngenta Foundation and Jaka.

October 1, 2009 Relief Operation in Tumana, Marikina

9/1/09
Deaf contingent went to Tumana (pam's place) to distribute goods. Went in 2 cars with roughly 200-250 relief packs. Community was so thankful because they have not yet received any relief even a stub. Some clothes were returned because food was more important.

Another group continued repacking. This time focused on food-rice and can goods.

In lieu of a b-day party, Nicky's 1-year old food party was sent to TWH thru Bahay Biyaya: Adobo and Binagoongang Baboy.

Deaf news and info formed

September 30 road to Tumana, Marikina

The road to Pam's house. Lots of people, former possessions now garbage line the streets. Mud was not an obstacle for people who wanted to go back to normalcy. Smiles and waving hands were always ready for the camera