Typhoon and some frustrations!
Trip Start
Mar 21, 2006
1
11
55
Trip End
Oct 05, 2008
Tublay, Benguet, Philippines
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
As I continue to get to know the locals here the all too many problems facing this country and my community come to life. From entire communities without water sources, teenage pregnancy rates (due to improper or lack of education about contraceptives), and the fact that the majority of the educated and skilled Filipinos go abroad for work, leaving the country with poverty stricken farmers (especially in my region, Benguet is in the top five poorest regions of the entire Philippine Islands). It is hard for me to see that creating and strengthening the tourism attractions will have any effect on these much greater issues. I recognize that I will not be able to create water sources for my community or in many ways stop the influx of oversea's workers, so it is difficult at times to see how I can be of a help here. If anything the education end of my assignment is where I see myself making the most impact. I hope that through environmental education campaigns in the schools, educating the farmers about the need for organic practices, or working with the local women's weaving group to strength their business I will indeed be of some help.
Just sharing some of my feelings and thoughts to this point, don't get me wrong either, I am very happy to be here, but the many issues facing this country are overwhelming to think about, and I am faced with many of them on a daily basis!! As I write I am reminded of a simple but important quote, "Think Globally Act Locally." I think I need to keep this in perspective through my time here, while I might not be able to solve the lager problems of the entire country, my efforts at the grassroots community level might indeed positively change someone's life!
Sending love and hugs to all!!
PACE
Sherry
Comments
You Can Do it!
Hey Bear, Glad to hear that you are doing ok and made it through what I would imagine would be a scary storm. Sure you might night be able to stop ALL oversea's workers, but maybe you can help people realize the importance of staying there and building up the economy. I know that you can do it ... you can do anything. Keep up the good work!
I'm proud of you Bear!
Hey Bear,
Sounds like you have a great perspective over there (or are trying to anyway). Yeah, who knows how many individual lives you've already touched over there (just like you have mine!). I'll pray that you'd be able to see one person at a time, hey, Just like Jesus did. Thanks for keeping us up to date Bear.
Love, LB
There is only Love, everything else is an illusion
Hi Sherry-
Sounds like you are experiencing some major natural disasters, ethical dilemmas, and frustrating financial realities... reminds me of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Education is the best... to be informed and to inform is to allow others to make choices for better and positive change. I hope your spirits remain high. Life is one continual experience that heightens understanding, awareness, and love.
Best wishes,
Tegan Marie Haack