Reposted from Facebook, written October 2 2009 12:47pm
“So we fed a few people. Now what?”
What happens when Ondoy gets old?
It’s Day 6 and Facebook, Twitter, TV, the papers- everything’s still Flooded with news about the Flood (though a little less than before). I even have some friends getting angry when their other friends post “useless” stuff- you know- the kind of stuff we’d normally post if there wasn’t an emergency or disaster.
But here’s reality… a few days or weeks from now, things will not-so-slowly start to look normal again. At least for us. Facebook will have less stuff about emergency relief, and more of those quizzes, and games, and scores, and invitations to gigs and parties and whatnot. In a few days, Ondoy will no longer be “the news”. When Ondoy gets old, it will be forgotten. It will be just another problem that we’ve learned to live with.
The truth of the matter is this- 95% of the people whom we are helping now- they needed our help BEFORE the typhoon. They were hit hardest because they’re the ones who live in shanties, they’re the ones without medical access, they’re the ones with no jobs and no money, and a lot of them didn’t have water even before the flood. Heck a lot of them needed food before Ondoy. And they existed, while we existed, side by side. We never bothered to help them. And when Ondoy gets old- when it moves from “front and center” to the sidelines of our attention and life goes back to “normal”, these people will still need our help.
“They needed our attention BEFORE the typhoon. They will need our attention AFTER the typhoon.”
If anything the typhoon opened our eyes to the REAL situation our countrymen were in. This post is just my way of asking everybody to be around for them PERMANENTLY. The great thing about Ondoy is that with everybody helping, we have some sort of momentum going. And when we move from Red Alert to whatever color normal living is, we can still keep that momentum going and never stop helping, and sharing, and giving.
What does it take for these people to live better? When the flood goes down, many will need homes again. Then they’ll need jobs. Then they’ll need infrastructure built in their towns. Reliable water supply. Transportation. Schools should be rebuilt. Education should be made accessible. Crime should be controlled. Guys these are OLD problems. We can’t just be heroes when it comes to NEW problems. All old problems were once new, and they stayed there because somewhere along the way, we forgot how to follow through. I remember watching a movie called “Charlie Wilson’s War” which was all about the time when the US helped Afghanistan defend itself against Russia back in the day. The movie ended with a strong quote:
“These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world… and then we f—-d up the endgame.”
Guys, let’s not screw up the end game. If we’re here to help, let’s make sure we follow through. This is where I shut up and let you guys do the talking. Use the comment box below to share your ideas and thoughts on the matter. Before I do shut up let me leave you with one last thought- I truly believe that we have everything it takes to make all the changes we say we want in this country. There’s no resource, talent, skill, or connection that is unavailable to us. The question is this- will we make it available to them?
Please Reply.
UPDATE: What’s Next? Click here.
this was beautiful. thanks so much! you nailed exactly how i feel about the situation. been so down lately because it's just so natural for people to forget, for things to lose momentum. am reposting this. thank you very much.
and yes, NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH. it really is one of our problems.
we'll follow through this time.
just checked out 3 locations today…. from 6am to 8pm!
so many options and opportunities for people to help / volunteer regularly!
you guys are gonna love it!
I thought I replied but it didn't come out yet. Will reply again.
1. You're not a spoilsport.
2. Your "bias" is a fact. 90% of Microfinance clients are women. They try to be entrepreneurial while their husbands are doing.. I don't know what.
3. There are more horror stories about relief. People fighting over adobo because they didn't want sopas. Someone being stabbed over relief goods. Drug addicts getting high and watching volunteers come in and help their families.
My question to you is this- does this strengthen or weaken the case that- They Need Our Help?
And if anything, it gives us precious clues about the kind of help they need. I alluded to it in the other post: <a href="http://lifeafterondoy.com/lifeafterondoy/coffee-w…” target=”_blank”>http://lifeafterondoy.com/lifeafterondoy/coffee-w…
*we already have.
This article really needed to be written. And more of us really need to read it. Thanks.
Mona pls spread the word. And get people to sign up in that box up there. So when we plan something, or announce things others are doing, people hear about it!
Very good blog Stef!
Exactly my thoughts. I also couldnt understand how people can get irritated if someone posts something on their networking site that’s not Ondoy related. Reposting shouldn’t be a gauge of someone’s desire to help. I know some people who actively help and use their networking sites as a breather from all of it.
Change should be a collective thing however, and we have to create that awareness. The result of the storm was also partly brought about by the peoples lack of concern for The environment. Trash that clogged and eveything.
Help out as much as you can by giving but let’s also teach man how to fish by creating that awareness and addressing those needs before it’s too late again.
Cy said:
"I also couldnt understand how people can get irritated if someone posts something on their networking site that's not Ondoy related. Reposting shouldn't be a gauge of someone's desire to help."
You know what that is- it's a Judgmental Spirit. And it's one of the reasons why Filipinos stand and watch- afraid to do something. They're afraid their motives would be judged. It annoys me so much.
Also, we're planning some awareness campaigns, info campaigning.. hope you could be a part of it!
“I truly believe that we have everything it takes to make all the changes we say we want in this country. There’s no resource, talent, skill, or connection that is unavailable to us.”
I believe so too.
For those who want to help, you can through Operation Blessing.
http://www.obphil.com/
Please check out the website. There are a lot of ways you can help there even after the hype.
I did. will link your site soon.
I was just thinking about this. I’ve already noticed the decline of posts about Ondoy and I can’t really blame them. This opened my eyes though. I don’t want to go back to my regular routine. I’d really like to join some kind of group that would let volunteer on a regular basis. I don’t want to forget. And like you said there’s already the momentum and drive, we need to push for more. Maybe this is a wake up call for all of us to unite and be involved. In any case, if you know any group that’s ok to join let me know. Good job on the site 8o)
hey! there are some groups u can join, I'll be putting up a "what others are doing" page soon.
also we'll be needing volunteers for exactly what you said- some sort of regular thing…
it's gonna be like taking up a new sport i guess like golf or biking.. 2x or 4x a month, done with other people, really fun, and something we all get better at doing over time.
ps why were u too shy to put your name in?
hehehe
Our efforts should not just be driven by the disaster brought by Ondoy. I am worried that people might forget. We need to change our ways. We can’t be ningas cugon. People must be educated.
Would love to help.
I think this is a good start.Ü
That word! I was thinking of that exact same word for a while now… made something this morning I think you'll like it: http://lifeafterondoy.com/fb/Ningas-Cugon.jpg
Thanks for the reply! I agree.
1. About the youth breaking free
2. About starting something inside schools
3. About information campaigning
Yes. Some help is actually not help. Teaching them to be more dependent is not help. Right now though… people are dying, drowning, or getting sick with the toxic flood that doesn't go away. So we just have to jump in and help. Later on, we need to plan something along the lines of what you said. Teaching people to be independent. Some thoughts:
1. If we teach the youth, that generation will be different
2. Values-Based Microfinance groups- they lend money and teach people, but they don't dole out
Hi Ligaya! Thanks for the post!
1. You're not a spoilsport.
2. Your "bias" is an actual fact. 90% of Microfinance clients are women. They try to be entrepreneurial while their husbands are doing.. I don't know what.
3. There are more horror stories about relief. People fighting over adobo because they didn't want sopas. Someone being stabbed over relief goods. Drug addicts getting high and watching volunteers come in and help their families.
My question to you is this- does this strengthen or weaken the case that- They Need Our Help?
And if anything, it gives us precious clues about the kind of help they need. I alluded to it in the other post: <a href="http://lifeafterondoy.com/lifeafterondoy/coffee-w…” target=”_blank”>http://lifeafterondoy.com/lifeafterondoy/coffee-w…
yes. it starts with ondoy… but ends with…. it never ends….
Sounds exciting.
Will put up a link for everyone starting their own initiatives.
There's a who wrote a song and wants other musicians to join in.
There's a videographer making a documentary.
There's a girl collecting books to replace those that got flooded.
And there's someone planning to have a fund-raiser for calamities.
Awesome.
Everyone reading- if you hear of more, please let me know!
I agree. We need to guide them, and guide them patiently. Help should come from a heart that wants to help.
Thanks Bianx!
Yes I'm trying to make a list! I was thinking though that the list should be more "practical" rather than "comprehensive".
1. if the list is too long, people will not know which one to join. I think it's best to recommend a few (and I need your help on this!)
2. the list should at least give people all over metro manila an option to volunteer somewhere near them
3. and I wanted to "segregate" the volunteer efforts that are just here for the emergency, and those that are for rehabilitation later on– so that when the emergency is over people can still volunteer!
whew!
Your second question.. that's the exciting one. To make this happen is easy:
1. use all our talents and abilities and resources
2. use all our connections so we tap others' talents and abilities and resources
3. and make every effort to stay connected and reminded (that's why there's an email list above)
3. carve out time to make it permanent. It's not about how much or how little we help- it's "for how long"…
4. tell everyone to do the same, and like an old baduy song says: "then start back at one" (LOL i cant believe I quoted that)
Thanks again for the reply. Help me spread the word?
Twibbon?
Retweet?