You are here: Home > Atikha OFW Helpline in Cooperation with Stichting Habagat & Wilde Ganzen of Netherlands Distributed Relief Goods for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy!

News and Articles
Atikha OFW Helpline in Cooperation with Stichting Habagat & Wilde Ganzen of Netherlands Distributed Relief Goods for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy!

By Mathet Daya & Ninia Bayubay

Atikha OFW Helpline in Cooperation with Stichting Habagat & Wilde Ganzen of Netherlands Distributed Relief Goods for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy! Everyone saw on television the footages taken during the onslaught of the storm. Almost 90% of Metro Manila, Rizal and Laguna are deeply flooded. Thousands of families were left homeless. Many lost their loved ones and properties. Atikha sympathized with our people devastated by Typhoon Ondoy.

Through the efforts of our kababayans Leila Ripens, Grace Cabactulan and Doris Fernandez in Netherlands and the benevolent heart of Wilde Ganzen, Atikha received US$11,703 for its relief operations. Atikha also gathered goods from OFW families and members of the Batang Atikha Savers Club.

Atikha mobilized the members of Batang Atikha Savers Club in the community and partner schools. They happily volunteered to help in the packing and distribution of the relief goods. More or less 3,300 packs of goods were done in four days.

Early morning of Sunday, 25th October 2009, with the truckload of relief goods, Atikha staff and volunteers from Batang Atikha Savers Club in Alaminos Elementary School, Lakes City Christian School, San Pablo Colleges and the community chapter in San Diego, San Pablo City traveled to Sta Cruz and Lumban, Laguna to distribute the goods.

Atikha decided to do its relief operations in the areas of Sta Cruz and Lumban, Laguna. Sta Cruz and Lumban are situated alongside Laguna de Bay and some of the barangays in these towns remained submerged in water and were not easily accessible except by boat or makeshift “balsa”. In coordination with the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Councils and Hon. Mayor Ariel Magcalas of Sta Cruz and Hon. Mayor Wilfredo Paraiso of Lumban, the relief operations were organized.

Atikha OFW Helpline in Cooperation with Stichting Habagat & Wilde Ganzen of Netherlands Distributed Relief Goods for Victims of Typhoon Ondoy!

The convoy arrived at Sta Cruz Municipal Covered Court at around 9:00 in the morning. Many people were already waiting. People lined up with their children. Government personnels were also there to assist in the distribution. Volunteers helped unload the goods from the truck.

Atikha staff and volunteers were divided into 5 groups and they were deployed to different areas to distribute the relief goods. Ms. Mai herself, led Group 1 and went to San Pablo Sur. It was one of the deeply affected areas in Sta Cruz. About 270 families were deeply affected in the said barangay. The group reached the area by boat. Group 3 went to Lynville Subdivision where 360 families were waiting. All of them were given claim stubs by the Social Worker in the area. Groups 4 and 5 delivered and distributed relief goods to the evacuation centers in Gatid and Pagsawitan Elementary Schools to some 640 families.

Some volunteers, especially the young members of BASC stayed with their teachers at the Covered Court and managed the distribution. While Group 2 went to Lumban, Laguna to distribute the goods in two barangays. No other than Mayor Wilfredo Paraiso accompanied the group to Balubad Basketball Court. The social workers from the two barangays gathered the people in the Basketball Court and were given claim stubs in advanced for easy distribution.

Later after lunch, the staffs and volunteers finished the distribution. They came back hungry and tired but with smiles on their faces. They carried with them the feelings of gratitude expressed by the people as they handed them the goods. They shared stories of some people they have encountered.

“What caught my attention most was the old woman at the back of the line. She was carrying her grandchild, who was barely two-years old. She looked so old and frail, but patiently waited for her time in the crowded line. She was holding her claim stub tightly with her left hand, as if their lives depend on it. She was wearing an old duster and her slippers were of different style. After a while, her grand child started to cry. She started to look confused. Maybe she was torn between staying on the line or buy food for the child. The child kept on crying while the old woman tried to quiet the child saying repeatedy: Tahan na, Apo, malapit na tayo, kakain na tayo mamaya. And when her time came, her face lightened up, as if energy splurge onto her. She was very thankful to the Batang Atikha child who handed her the goods. She even embraced the child, almost teary-eyed, while saying, “Salamat, anak, salamat.”

Each volunteer has their own stories, experiences and wisdom that will remain embedded in their minds and hearts forever. The spirit of helping, sacrificing and volunteerism for the welfare of others were enhanced by this noble under-taking.

Atikha Partner Links and Advertisements

Subscribe to ATIKHA by Email

Enter your email address: