The Philippines - last thoughts

As my time in Tacloban City is nearing it's end at a neck-breaking pace, I thought to include here a few odds and ends that I didn't have the chance to blog about. My whole experience here was incredible. I've learned so much about myself and human nature. So many experiences, revelations, friendships, emotions, trials... I look forward to picking my way through it all at my leisure once I wash up on a Malaysian beach!

The dumpsite.

A few weekends ago I got to visit the city's dumpsite where VFV does work with the children that work there. They collect plastic and other valuables to trade in for a few pesos. This was an incredible eye-opener for me. The heat was oppressing, the smell was horrid, the ground soggy, yet still even here we were greeted by smiling faces.

Tanauan beach.

This is the only "local" beaches that I had the opportunity to visit. Most beaches here are part of resorts, and though many locals do go to these beaches as well, they are mostly catered to tourists. The beach was nice, the water gorgeous, but the real gem was the children that came and played around us. It was obvious that not many foreigners ever came to this beach and we were the children's entertainment as much as they were ours!

RHU Tanauan.

I've already blogged about my time at the health clinic, but here are some pictures to give you an idea of what the clinic looked like! These were taken during a "down" time, so there are no patients milling around.

Waiting room

Filling system

The "lab" -- that's a real genuine type-writer!

The nurses and I

Rain.

It rains a lot here, just had to acknowledge this fact. Not Vancouver-spitting-in-your-face rain either, crazy downpours that flood the streets!

Donations.

Thanks again to my Uncle B. and Aunt E. who donated enough to rebuild a home for one of the sponsored kids of VFV! Below is a picture of the build site. Thanks also to all those who donated after my post "Helpful ideas". The combined donations bought loads of meds plus all that you can see in the orphanage picture below. The kids were ecstatic when they saw the 350+ books arrive. It was one of the most emotional and beautiful moments here.