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Those were apt descriptions of how most of us who participated on the recent 2007 Rotary Service Project to the Philippines felt at the end of a hard working day as we helped build 20 houses for the poorest families in Southern Leyte.
But what those adjectives left out were other emotions as well: fulfilled, awed, humbled and blessed. And these warm feelings stayed with us today even as achy muscles and painful joints were eased with Bengay or ignored- and the pain (mostly?) forgotten.
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Participants in the 2007 Philippine work project take a break on their way back to the elementary school where they stayed.
Photos of the participants |
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I was fortunate to be a part of this years Rotary Service project to the Philippines that started on March 24th and lasted two weeks. The Rotary Club of Honolulu and the YMCA of Honolulu have been undertaking service projects to the Philippines for the past fifteen years and this years efforts brought us to Southern Leyte.
It may be recalled that about 1,000 people were buried in February 2006 when a sudden mudslide surged from a mountain and covered the mountain village of Guinsaugon. The tragedy displaced many people and caused great suffering to the residents. Even today, geologists determine that about eleven villages are still at risk and are on the path of possible landslides. Organizations such as the Red Cross, Knights of Columbus and other religious orders are today building villages to relocate those villages that are at risk.
In addition to the Foundation of the Rotary Club of Honolulu, funding was also provided by the Honolulu Sunset Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay, two major individual donors and the children of the Nuuanu YMCA. Three international partners of the Rotary Club of Honolulu were also major contributors which include the Rotary Club of Kyoto, Japan; The Rotary Club of Talisay-Cebu, Philippines and the Taipei Rotary Club, Taiwan. Members of the Honolulu Sunset and Hanalei Bay Rotary Clubs also traveled with the Honolulu club members on the work trip to Southern Leyte.
