Some family food packs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have a “new look.” Uplifting messages such as “Don’t lose hope, we love you.” are inscribed by volunteers on the plastic bags containing relief items for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

“By writing these messages, we hope the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in Eastern Visayas will feel less sad, less hopeless,” shared 16 year-old Julie Anne, a first year college student of Metro Business College.

“Through these messages, we want to make them feel that there is still hope despite the disaster that occurred in their region, and that people care for them,” Elin from Denmark remarked.

Elin is a member of the British Women Association (BWA), an organization of wives of expats working in the Philippines. Her friends, Sandy, Diane and Linda also volunteered with her.

“We want to reach out to the victims and tell them that all is not lost. Hence, we express what we feel in these messages to give them courage,” explained Leandro Jose, who works at the Italian Embassy. He is on vacation leave but opted to volunteer.

Giving time

What motivates people to volunteer?

“I chose to volunteer because I feel sad whenever I see the news footages of what happened in Tacloban City and Samar.  I want to help in whatever way I can,” stated  Julie Anne.

She and her classmates – Marjorie, Lorquim and Lorie Joy – have been going to the DSWD-National Resource Operations Center  (NROC) straight from their school in Pasay City after their classes since November 7, when they first heard about the need for volunteers.

“It is better to spend our time helping rather than engaging in other activities; it makes us feel good,” added Lorquim.

“We have been living in the Philippines for seven years and we always volunteer whenever DSWD issues the call,” Elin explained.

Likewise, a group of housewives expressed that since they cannot contribute financially, assisting in the repacking of family food packs is the best thing they can do for the victims.

Some volunteers help for their relatives and friends who are in the devastated provinces.

Help the survivors

Like the rest of the volunteers, the desire to help the survivors is what motivates the members of the DSWD Riders Group (DRG), an organization of employees in DSWD Central Office who own motorcycles, to volunteer.

About twelve members of DRG volunteered to be deployed in Tacloban to help in relief operations and information gathering in the devastated towns.

“Since we will be riding motorcycles, it will be easier to reach the interior barangays and to gather information on the extent of the disaster.  We’d like to do our share,” stated Owel Rubis and Jimmy Bugay, spokespersons of DSWD DRG.

According to Roy Calfoforo, over-all in charge of volunteer operations at NROC and DSWD Field Offices, almost 15 thousand volunteers as of November 15 have already joined the repacking in NROC since the operations started on Novermber 7.

They came from private organizations, business institutions, government offices, local government units, public and private schools and. Most came with their families and friends.

Bayanihan in Cebu

Even in Cebu City, volunteers overwhelmingly responded to the call of the Department.

People from different ages, nationalities, and professions worked hand-in-hand repacking relief goods, tying up sacks, and loading and unloading goods at the DSWD compound along MJ Cuenco Avenue. Some even helped in transporting relief goods to affected areas.

Christine and Mona Señana lived in Tacloban City for a year, which they described as “the best year of (their) lives.”

“We cannot sit down and just watch television footages of the devastation. We simply have to do something. For every relief good we help pack, we know we did something for our friends,” said Christine.

“We lost friends who are stationed in Tacloban City and we might or might not be asked to go there. We will do our share while we wait,” said Barry of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) who also joined in the repacking.

“We are happy that our Regional Director gave us the opportunity to help,” said Hiyas Rivas of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Volunteers are also helping repack relief goods in hubs established by DSWD Field Offices in Legazpi City, Iloilo City, and Cagayan de Oro City.

Satellite relief repacking stations have also been opened at Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan, Quezon City; Air21 Cargohaus, NAIA Complex, Parañaque City; and, Villamor Airbase, Pasay City.

Whatever their reasons, the volunteers’ response and willingness to serve with a smile and open heart are saving lives and bringing hope in the typhoon-ravaged areas.# # #