Beautiful Eastern Samar

Last week, my work took me to Samar Island in Visayas.  I was expecting the area to still be reeling from the effects of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest and most destructive typhoon that hit the earth more than 2 years ago.  However, during the 4 hour drive from Tacloban to Borongan, I cannot help but notice the lush hills.  As if nothing happened.  Except for a few ruins of what used to be houses or buildings. 

On the way to Samar..at the San Juanico bridge, which connects the 2 island provinces of Samar and Leyte.

But I am only talking about the vegetation and infrastructure in the area.  I could not talk about the emotional scar left by a typhoon which left around 6,000 people dead. Nor the trauma encountered by the surviving residents having to watch, in shock, the raging water eat up their villages, their houses, their everything, Or of having to helplessly watch their neighbors, friends and family disappear in the water or carried by the wave to the open sea.

Harvest time...

But I would like to talk about how resilient the people in Samar are.  And how help came from all over the world to help them get back on their feet, and start to live their lives again.

The weavers of Basey, Samar..back to doing what they do best.. weaving the best, the most colorful mats.

The vegetation has grown back.  The landscape is as beautiful as it was before the typhoon, except for a number of “dead” coconut trees. And it is a reflection of how the province was able to rise above the calamity. Many people have already had their houses fixed, and are carrying on with their lives, despite their losses.  For those who cannot afford to build their houses, there were many organizations (both local and international), governments (ours and other countries), corporations and many individuals who helped build houses and latrines- either in their communities, or in relocation sites. They also now have more, and better, school buildings.  Roads have been fixed.  And this was made possible by the many people and organizations all over the world who extended their help. 

The lone boatman....

I visited 2 of the villages and while they still talk about their experience during the Typhoon, they were more eager to express their appreciation for the help they received. I cannot help but be proud about what our organization has done.  Through the help of our many donors, we were the first, among the many, to bring help to these 2 villages and many other villages. We distributed food, cooking and eating utensils, and also hygiene kits.  We likewise provided them with temporary housing, right after the typhoon, as well as supported them with counselling to help them, especially the children, overcome the trauma. We also gave the families a chance to earn through cash-for-work program, which ran for 1 month, where they help clean up the debris in exchange for compensation. After the relief operations, many organizations (including ours) also embarked on rehabilitation initiatives.  Houses, latrines, roads and schools have been built or rehabilitated.  Livelihood programs were also carried out to help them recover financially. All these were done through working together with the people in these communities, and with our donors, including those who do not even know where Philippines is. 

One of their beautiful rivers...

This trip to Eastern Samar has showed me what beauty meant... it's not only about the limestone mountains, islands and beaches. It is about the beauty of those who choose to rise above their situation.  And the beauty of being a part of a global community of kind hearted individuals who, maybe unknown to many of them, have left an imprint of their kindness all over Samar.   

Beautiful, beautiful sunset...