Super Typhoon Haiyan

I still haven't been able to continue with the regular format of this blog for cruise ship musicians.  Right now as a family we need to be focused on the aftermath of Super-typhoon Haiyan, locally named Yolanda here in the Philippines.  A blog can seem awfully unimportant during situations such as this.

We have been in the fortunate position to be able to lend a helping hand along with thousands of other people.  We have received donations to help residents in town where my wife's parents, sister, and extended family live.  My wife and I visited just a couple of days after the storm hit to check on them and deliver supplies.  Then with the support of some very amazing and generous people around the world, my wife was able to return and bring supplies to other families in the town and also help purchase building supplies as residents begin the difficult path of rebuilding their severely damaged homes.  There is no electricity and it is expected to take a minimum of 2 to 6 months to get it back up and running.

I hope to be able to get back to my usual writings next week.  In the meantime, here are some photos from Palompon, Leyte...

The package of basic supplies we were able to give to 35 families

Tito Domi standing in a completely destroyed lot

Some of the complete destruction of homes

Some of the damages from the super typhoon

Kids cooking noodles.  They are living at a school that had
its roof ripped off because their home is gone

A mother receiving a package of supplies

Children getting water from a well

A little boy excited about the candy my wife was about to give him

Children who are usually playing happily.
Their home had heavy damage.

A mother receiving a package of supplies.

A mother receiving a package of supplies.  They are living
inside a van because their house is destroyed.

Manoy Junjun standing in front of what is left of his house.

My wife using an invaluable mosquito net.
Mosquitos are becoming the #1 problem in the aftermath.