Quote:
Originally Posted by JourneyOfLife
Those people are really hurting. Much of the country is devastated.
If you are blessed with a little extra this year, consider putting the Filipino people on your Christmas or Hanukkah list for a donation. Even a donation as small as $10 can make a difference (they add up).
The US has a special relationship with the Philippines. I included some links to background information.
Philippines–United States relations
- The Filipino government and people are our friends. They are one the oldest Non-Nato US strategic ally in Asia. Current or former military personnel know it, especially those that spent a tour of duty WestPAC.
- They have been strong supporters of US strategic interests in that area of the world... including our efforts today to thwart the global threat of terrorism. They live in an area of the world where we have military adversaries that grow stronger by the day. They are right at the doorstep of the biggest threat the USA faces since the Soviet Union!
- One other thing many people do not know... Filipinos serve in our military. Serving "US" interests far away from their families and homes. This is another thing that current and former US Sailors and Marines know about it because they served with them on US Naval Vessels. They may or may not have known them personally, but you can bet they saw them daily, doing their jobs. Philippine Enlistment Program Sailors Reflect on Heritage
Our government will help to some degree... but it won't be enough. There are lots of families, widows and orphans that lost everything with no place to turn.
Defense.gov News Article: Pentagon Acts Swiftly to Assist Typhoon-stricken Ally
I read that the average income of the poorest people in the Philippines (45% of the population) is about $2/day.
Philippines - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It should come as no surprise, that the poorest people tend to live in areas that are most prone to destruction by that sort of natural disaster.
You will literally be helping to save the lives of mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. You could be the reason some child has a parent that survives the aftermath. In that type of situation, it is not just about food, water and basic shelter, but medicine to ward off diseases... things we take for granted, like a tetanus shot. They will be trying to survive in horrible conditions for quite some time! |
I visited the Philippines several years ago and found the Filipino people to be the happiest group of people I have ever met in my life. They don't need a lot of material things to make them happy. You're right.....they don't make a lot of money..... but they are HAPPY.
What has happened to the people over there because of this terrible natural disaster breaks my heart.
I have a friend who said that she was going to Macy's today to buy a purse but after seeing the devastation in the Philippines, she is going to donate that money to a charity to help the Filipino people. Now we're talkin'!
A little money goes a long way in the Philippines.