The powerful typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines this past weekend. Specifically, the devastation in the Manila metropolitan area is dramatic. Early estimates indicate that about 80,000 people have been affected, with more than 100 missing (some consider this a conservative figure.)
The two CI projects located within the Manila metropolitan area were affected--especially the Fortune Center in Marikina City. As far as we have been able to discern, the children on our program are fine. Our Fortune Center representatives are distributing food supplies and cooking soup for some of the families who now have no jobs and cannot purchase food. They are helping as best they can. Below are excerpts from the project coordinator's e-mail filling us in on the situation:
"Marikina City was the hardest hit in this latest of the devastation in our country. We saw pictures via the internet and it sent shivers down my spine as this is the most horrendous so far. I have experienced many floods and storm and typhoons of all kinds but this last one is too terrible to even imagine! I was able to get in touch with my family only the following day as the phone lines were down, and no power and even cellsites were affected. They had to go to outside areas in order to get in touch with them. My children started a soup kitchen, as soon as the floods cleared up a little bit. They bought rice to give away and milk and sugar too. Grace, our pastor and asssistant coordinator, and the other Fortune mothers did the cooking and distribution to our people in the Riverside area--many are our Children Inc. kids. None of them were hurt but they were cold and wet and hungry. Most of their homes lie very near the banks of the river and even if it is just monsoon rains they get flooded and have to move to higher grounds. Our center is open for such a disaster like this though I have not yet heard from Grace, as communications are still down, but they know they are most welcome in our center and there is hot food available. This is one great feeling I have, I am assured Grace is gung ho, always ready like a proverbial girl scout and ready to help out. It is good that the foundation has also acquired a van for easy access and quick distribution. I will update you on the latest as soon as I hear more from Grace. I am glad to hear the concern in your letter, as I know you love our people like you do love your own. For that I am most grateful!
-Polly, Project Coordinator at the Fortune Center
We are calling on all friends of Children, Inc. to please help us to raise funds to help with the feeding efforts for the families struggling in the wake of this disaster. Financial donations would go towards food, school supplies and clothing for our CI children and their families. This is a great example of how giving to the Annual Fund can really help those in need in the wake of a disaster. To give to the Annual Fund, please visit https://ssl.children-inc.org/UrgentNeeds.aspx and scroll down to the second paragraph "Seeds of Hope Annual Fund." If you have questions about helping this specific cause, please call us at 1-800-538-5381 or email us at lsweeney@children-inc.org. Please keep these people in your thoughts!
