View from a Habitat Team Leader: Philippines Disaster Response & Recovery Trip

View from a Habitat Team Leader: Philippines Disaster Response & Recovery Trip: Where does the time go . Its been ages since I posted anything on here. In December last year I was in India and then in April this year I...

Philippines Disaster Response & Recovery Trip

Where does the time go.

Its been ages since I posted anything on here. In December last year I was in India and then in April this year I was in Sri Lanka working with a great team to help 5 families achieve a better life and a new home. I will get around to writing it up at some point but there is still a back log of trips to be posted. And of course there is now my new Philippines Disaster Response Project in hand for December 2014.
I have posted the details here in case it reaches someone who would like to take up the challenge and join me on this fantastic adventure.

I know I promised you this trip information months ago but it's not been easy getting this project off the ground. Unlike our standard Global Village trips, the logistics of operating under the "Disaster Response"  banner are far more involved and require a greater level of input from everyone involved both in the American office as well as the Philippines, and then there is me of course stirring it all together form the UK. 

The waiting is now over and the project is a runner. I will endeavour to detail it in the body of this email as this trip will not be going live on the Habitat Web Site.  Again, because of the Disaster Response element of the trip, it is not categorised the same as the standard trips advertised on the web site. Therefore it is only being offered to people on my radar. I know a few of you have already expressed a wish to sign up for this trip and I am thrilled that you want to join me yet again on another adventure. The places are limited so you will need to be quick to sign up, The registration details are explained below because it is not the same as the normal GV process. I would appreciate an email to let me know you are signing on prior to you doing so, just so that I can keep track.

As We know,  Typhoon Haiyan, known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, was one of the strongest tropical cyclones ever recorded, which devastated portions of Southeast Asia, particularly the Philippines, on November 8, 2013. It is the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 6,268 people in that country alone. Haiyan is also the strongest storm recorded at landfall, and unofficially the strongest typhoon ever recorded in terms of wind speed. As of January 2014, bodies were still being found.

Whilst a lot of clearing up is still ongoing, we will be involved in helping to rebuild the homes and lives of the people of Daanbantayan on the northern tip of Cebu island facing the Visayan Sea. I will have more details of the exact work schedule nearer the start date.  But you all know what we do and why we do it and at this moment in time I can't think of a more deserving cause than helping rebuild the lives devastated by this Typhoon.

The project dates are: November 28th to December the 12th 2014. Just a year on from that terrible event.  These dates include travel days so as to make certain you are covered by our insurance during your travel as well as in country.  Your arrival day should be Sunday 30th as accommodation is booked from that night onwards. However I would suggest aiming to get in on Saturday. I know that will cost you an extra night but it will be worth it to get over your travel lag. I can arrange the accommodation for the Saturday should you require it. If you are arriving on the Sunday, I will be there at the airport to meet you as usual and make sure you get to the hotel in Cebu. If you are arriving the day before then it is only a short taxi trip into town.

I have not attached a full Itinerary but basically we will drive to the village on Monday. Work through to Friday. Weekend off and then Monday to Thursday returning to Cebu on Thursday evening so you would need to book your exit flights for Friday 12th onwards.

I will be available to talk with you should you require any further information but those that have worked with me before know that the information flow just keeps coming once you have joined the team. Drop me an email and suggest a time to call, don’t forget the time difference, I am in the UK. I will be happy to call you and chat about the project and answer any concerns you may have. Failing that you can ask me your questions via email. rayfowell@gmail.com or call me on +44 798 357 5271. Or Skype me, find me at Raymundo1952

The GV code for this trip. GV15344. The cost of this trip is $2150. I think most of you know what that includes but for those who are unsure, basically everything except your air fare and visa etc.

Well that is it for now, I hope you decide that this is the project for you. It certainly is for me, and as most of you will know, my projects include hard work but a lot of fun.  So come on, make a difference in both your life as well as those we are there to help. I hope to hear from you soon.