The devastation brought by Haiyan has made it hard to bear being in a country far away. Not a single day passes without my checking Facebook or news websites for every update on the distribution of relief goods. Not a single day passes without my breaking down over the heartbreaking stories.
It's too much.
Never mind that next week is shaping up to be the most demanding week that I'm about to face in b-school. Midterms, project presentations, case reports, papers -- you name it, I have it due next week. Try studying, having group meetings and working part-time for 12 hours with your mind half-distracted and yourself yearning to be across the Pacific.
It's tough but not impossible to get through. Next week is nothing compared to what the Haiyan victims and survivors are going through.
As an MBA student working to get through school debt-free, what can I do? Check on friends who were affected. Say thanks to classmates and friends who express concern. Share online donation links and spread news of US relief collection centers on social media. Work with campus organizations for fundraisers. Donate online. Pray. Influence friends back home to help. But, somehow, this seems too little. It's certainly not enough to bring those badly affected by Haiyan out of their personal hell.
For inspiration:
Bigas, Sardinas at Trenta Pesos
- Mayette Cinco, Facebook
The boys and i decided to drop by the grocery after church this
afternoon to buy the stuff we would be sending to Tacloban City
tomorrow. Nearing our house, we saw five Tawi kids waiting for us at the
gate. With a smile they greeted us and handed me a small paper bag and
said ' Pakisama nyo pa po ito sa ipadadala nyo bukas sa mga binagyo.
Nangalakal po kami para din sa kanila..Sana po makatulong.' I opened the
bag and saw a kilo of rice, 2 sardines and three ten peso coins..Ung
trenta po pambili nila duon ng tinapay para hindi mayupi sa byahe.' I
held the precious bag so tight & assured the boys that their
donation will surely help kids in Tacloban. I know how hard they worked
today just so they could share. It's not easy being chased by dogs &
cops and be bullied by all sorts of 'tambays' in the streets of
Rizal..Not easy to walk the entire day looking for scraps in every
street garbage drums..but they braved the heat of the sun and all other
challenges just to come up with what they think would be of help to
others..I said to myself, nahihiya ako sa kanila..hindi ako naaawa,
humahanga ako kasi hindi lahat kayang magbigay ng may kalakip na
sakripisyo..so often we give from our spare..but these kids gave out of
the only things they've got..Reminds me of the poor widow who gave 2
pennies for the Lord..She gave her all for the Master and that made all
the difference.
God bless, beautiful children of the Savior.
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