Our member Junna

Its teriable news , my son was there on holiday... We cudent get any mes to him and were really worrid. Thankfully hes got back on sat with just a 3hr delay... U just carnt unerstand wot there going thro till it happens to you... Last yr they had bad floods, now this ... Its so sad

Thanks Scottish thats good news for Junna, your family and your son Cristina. The news looks awful, and so much devastation I do hope the help gets through soon x

Hi Angie .. Thanks for the update ..

I was hoping you would hear from Junna ... glad she is okay ... such an awful situation out there in the Philippines ...
Cristina ... a relief that your son got home safely.

Thanks for that I was wondering if she was alright.

I am so relieved to hear this,Scottish,and thank you..and also glad to hear your son got home ok too,Cristina...It's so hard to take it all in,just how badly these poor people have suffered..I hope all the help from Shelterbox get through before long.I was watching them packing them up this morning..thank goodness for so many kind people we have here..

My heart goes out to everyone in the Phillipines, it is so heartbreaking watching it on the news, they have nothing only what they stand up in. We are so lucky to live here where the weather is less powerful. Good luck to all those people in the devastated areas, hope that help is soon there to give them food and shelter at least. So Glad to hear that Junna is safe hopefully help will soon be with them. Thank you for your post Scottish.

Great news Angie and good news Cristina re you son to.

I have just got news Angie that Angel safe to his village was not touched.

Thank you for this update Scottish. I was wondering why the aid agencies did not send supplies to somewhere nearer the devastated places as soon as the news broke that this storm was on its way. A reporter was asked the question and he said the area has already had 27 storms this year where people needed help. The emergency stocks have been used up for previous events and have not been fully replenished yet. Emergency teams are flying in to some areas. Some are still not reached yet because of the state of the place only giving access by helicopter. This disaster is not likely to get better too quickly and for people like the ones Scottish has described it must be a nightmare. With limited resources of their own, which neighbour can they help? It is vital that the aid agencies are supported in their efforts to help those affected.

So pleased you have contacted Junna and she is ok ... I have just watched the BBC lunchtime news reporting on the dreadful conditions over there ... and hope that aid reaches these very unfortunate people sooner rather than later.

Thankyou Scottish, what can one say, it breaks your heart to see all the devastion caused in these places, one can only hope that they get the help so desperately needed and soon....

And we think we have bad weather in the uk, makes you think doesn't it, Derek.

I was just thinking about Junna, Scottish. Glad to hear that she is okay. I really hope that your sister-in-law gets some good news about her mother's family. Like Lincs, words fail me, the devastation and tragedy is so immense.

I'm very pleased to read your blog, and to know Junna is all right.
Sorry about your sister in law's family and their circumstances though. It's a very distressing time for them all. I hope they can rebuild their lives in the future.

Thank you for the reassurance Scottisn, and very good to know that Junna is helping.

Thanks for letting us know about Junna. Sorry to here about your sister in laws family circumstances. They are all in my thoughts.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. I'm sure Junna will be pleased to read them when things get back to normal.
It's difficult to watch the news and not feel touched by the individual stories. Even more so when I have fond memories of most of the places they show. I just pray that the aid gets to those who really need it!

Such a tragedy. Our landlord is from Philippines. We could rent his place for winter (here in Mexico) because he was going to visit his family there. We briefly learned that his little town was swept from the surface and we are waiting for more news from him. Being a physician He is probably very busy there .
I am so glad that Junna is OK. Thanks Scottish for letting us know and sorry about your own family situation.

I have a very good friend and neighbour who are from the Phillipines and I decided to drop a line and prayer into his letter box on our way out to Remembrance Day Service last Sunday. I still haven't hear from him and the lights are always off when I walk past their house so I hope that they and their relatives out there are okay. The news is so not good and really breaks my heart to watch. This morning, Daybreak showed an ariel view of below and after in one of the coastal areas that the Typhoon hit! How anyone survived is a Miracle. What I want to ask (and it is really a rhetorical question) is why these so-called aid agencies ask poeple to donate money yet tell them how much they should give! People should be able to give whatever they choose to...even their 'widow's mite' can help. Again, how much of all this aid actually gets to the vitims who really need all they can possibly get. It annoys me when I hear someone explain that most of what is given goes on expenses and costs to get aid to people in need :( If I give a £1, I want all if not 85-90% of that to help to provide food, shelter, clean water and help to someone.

Yes but its no good giving food if there is no transport to get it there, and who's going to finance the flights? All our donations are going to provide all those necessary things, and surely all the money has to be pooled. I know what you mean, and it would be nice if we could say, yes my donation has provided shelter and food for a night, but it would be impossible to break it down like that. Sorting donations into those for transport and those for food and shelter would just add another layer of clerical work and there is neither staff nor time for that right now. And after all, we want to do what's best in the situation, rather than what would make us feel better. The charities aren't actually telling us what to give, that's always up to us - they are giving an indication of how far the money will go.

You both make good points. I watched some people distributing food etc which they had collected from people donating it in Manila to take to the village they were in. All around was desolation and despair. It must have been a huge relief to the villagers who had lost everything to know that someone cared enough to do that. Donations from other local people who may not have unlimited resources cannot be sustained. It would be good if the aid agencies could harness that local goodwill but pay for or provide the means to do it. It is said that in Haiti local people were totally excluded from having a say in what help and reparation they needed. It was swamped by the aid agencies doing what they thought was necessary. There needs to be joined up thinking as well as centralised fund raising if the people are not going to be left to struggle after the "solution" has happened. Lets hope lessons have been learned and we will see something good emerge after the event. We are in a good position to keep an eye on what is happening because of contacts made through Goy. If we do not think that what we see afterwards lives up to the expectations of us and the people affected then we at least have a voice which we can use in other places. Goy is a gardening forum for nurturing our love of gardening. It is a bonus that we are able to make friends all over the world and we should continue to look out for them.

Hello Angie I am thanking you ever so much and to All Goyers ! deeply appreciated the kindness and to hear a lot concerning us (FILIPINOS) I wish to have a super powers for the immediate help especially to those who lost their love ones, but impossible;-0 I feel deeply how it really hurts, As of now , for the meantime i was about to take a rest i feel something wrong with my health, maybe b'coz of sleepless night... next week when i get better will continue to extend my help, as of yesterday the news is good, very thankful to the neighboring country who helped the PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT, AND ONE IS YOUR country (GREAT BRITAIN) THANKING ALL THE SUPPORT AND PRAYERS TO US, Hoping we can recover this tragic event in our lives.
With Best Regards To Everybody, junna xxxxxx

I want to comment Steragram ,we do have a problems here in the Philippines , especially the politicians, you can count in your fingers the GOOD, sad to say, do not know how these people was givin an opportunity to take a responsibility , Better to give my services to the PRIVATE ORGANIZATION , we are giving directly to the vicitms by the use of ship, sometimes i do not trust GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HERE, it really hurts.....

And agree with you SCOTSGRAN:-)

You need to rest Junna, I guess the stress and shock of what hit your country is catching up with you

I send love and a big hug. ((((((((0)))))))) and hope you feel better soon xxx

I will Pamg, thank you very much:-)))xxx

I agree with Pamg. You need to rest and look after your health. What you have done is wonderfully generous but we are only human and need to care for ourselves to help look after others. God be with you in your time of trouble. We will continue to pray for all of you.

I'm glad you have seen this Junna. You really do need to rest and give yourself a wee break. Over doing things does catch up with us. Your countrymen and women need you strong, as does your family.
I don't want to touch on the political situation, I know only too well what goes on over there. You are concentrating your efforts in the right place Junna - if any good may come of such a tragic event - the world's eye is upon the Philippines right now, I hope it will give a push in the right direction.
Love from the family and me Junna xxxx

Junna, I hope you understood that my comment was meant for Gorgoeous mama who was concerned that all her donation would go to food and shelter. It is sad that you can't trust your government agencies and its good to know that you have been working with an agency that is actually doing the work most effectively. I hope you are now feeling abetter and rested. We are all so proud of what you are doing.

Good day, and many thanks again, Pamg, Scotsgran, Angie and Steragram, Yes, i will take care of myself, I was very lucky to be a member in this site i feel how you really cares for me and to see your messages i was very touch for the comforting words i was reading now, xxxxxx, I understand Angie , You've been here in our country, You know something bout our country:-(((
Steragram that's the best comment, hoping for my immediate recovery ,as of now taking vitamins and i have to complete my 6 hrs. sleep , feel better now , my love and my hugs to everybody, thank you ever so much, regards to all of you:-OO)) take care to all :-))))

We are very fortunate that we rarely have such problems in our own homes and family and when we do like Spitzhendry, suffering from unprecedented flooding, we have insurances which take care of the bigger scenario. I'm glad that our loving thoughts are sustaining you at this time. We are all happy to know that you can feel good about looking after yourself.

Hi Junna, I realise this is a little late but wasn't around in November as we were going through major family trauma. Just wanted to ask how things are now? My daughter and partner spent three months in the Philippines a couple of years ago and consequently knew people from the devastated area. Thankfully, they were ok. They both loved their time there and met such wonderful, generous people. My daughter couldn't get over how little people had to live on, and yet how willingly they shared what they had. It's wonderful that you helped as you did.

Hello Tuesdaybear , Sorry for the late reply also, Hope you are well and to your family over there, I am very fine also, and if you ask about our countrymen the victims of the super typhoon for me its not good, but can say a little change was done by our government, but not satisfied, That's good to know your daughter and his partner spent some time here, No doubt people lives in the provinces was very kindhearted and most of them shares.

Yes, maybe that's the one thing we have (Filipinos) we are so brave , never surrender as we always say,and we love to give and help, i am referring to those people who have a golden heart willing to sacrifice in their own way, I am very happy to know that your daughter see how we live and what kind of culture we have here , and what important is she enjoyed her vacation here, Tuesdaybear :-)

I hope and wish the next time maybe spending here a vacation, Me, My Family,My home is very welcome to all of you Goyers :-)XXX

How lovely of you, Junna. Glad you are well. :))

Thank you Tuesdaybear, Have a great weekend :-))xxx