“In my heart.”

“Oh I thought you were Filipino?” -he commented as we greeted each other. I had talked with him on the phone earlier in the day about our relief efforts at the Filipino Migrant Center through the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) relief campaign for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda).

” in my heart i am,” came the response that I had come up with at some point during the week. “Thank you for coming out.” As I continued on preparations and conversations getting ready for our Candlelight Vigil/Fundraiser for victims of the Typhoon.

The comment lingered as it had all week. While, i understood people’s questions it didn’t stop an aching in my heart. Yes, I work at the Filipino Migrant Center, no I’m not Filipino. Yes, I’m willing to share with you about NAFCON’s relief efforts on going on the ground but no, i don’t have any direct family that has been affected.

But my heart is directly with the people of the Philippines, my calling to serve along side them in their struggle for national democracy and true justice both in countries from a far and back in the homeland. and yes I have dear friends from the Philippine who are my extended family of choice who were affected and are still waiting to hear from loved ones. So, I stand in unity with my community, in the mix of emotions, in working to see that genuine relief and rehabilitation take place for all the victims of the Typhoon and that the money sent goes totally to the people for that work.

As the “go-go-go” of the week came to a pause around the vigil, there was time to reflect and mentally regroup. I fought back tears for the first time and know at some point I need to let them fall. My emotions go back in forth from anger at the lack of relief aid getting to the actual people, to pure sadness as more documentation comes in, to a feeling of wanting to make sure people don’t forget about all the victims of Typhoon Haiyan long after the international media has left. To wanting to get on a plane to go be with my “family” in Hong Kong and in the Philippines. Yet knowing, I’m right where I belong and where I can do the most to help raise relief aid through organizations that work with people’s organizations on the ground and use 100% of everything donated to serving the people who have been affected.

So if you haven’t yet, please give to support the Relief efforts but also take time to educate someone on what happened, on why major Typhoons are happening more and more often in the Philippines but still there is no real change. On how climate change is a real issue and can be furthered through man-man practices. And then get involved in an active way, through Taskforce Haiyan, a national task force of organizations working together with the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns, is a broad people’s movement to strengthen and coordinate emergency relief and rehabilitation efforts across the US for the victims of Tropical Storm Haiyan- the strongest storm in recorded history

How to Donate:

How ever much you can give, is greatly needed and appreciated? I suggest three different ways to give through depending on your location that I can personally guaranteed (and can send you more information on) are working with people’s organizations and will use 100% of your donation to serve the victims of the Typhoon:

1. Here in the USA or in countries that allow you to use PayPal, Give through NAFCON (National Alliance For Filipino Concerns) NAFCON is working directly with NGO’s in the Philippines who are serving the people and are there on the ground providing relief efforts. The organizations NAFCON member orgs partner with for International Solidarity Missions each year. There are personal relationships here. Your money will go to the people. For more info check out NAFCON’s website www.nafconusa.org

Bayanihan Disaster Relief Campaign which partners with Philippine NGO’s to provide immediate relief to the typhoon victims. Donations can also be made on NAFCON’s Paypal account: http://tinyurl.com/bayanihanreliefeffort.

Checks can be made payable to “St. George Fontana,” and on the memo line, write: “NAFCON Bayanihan Relief” to clearly allocate it for this purpose. Donors can submit their contribution to me (NAFCON Socal Regional Coordinator) or it can be mailed to our local nonprofit partner, c/o Naida Castro at 17895 San Bernardino Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335-6155. Please, include your return address with your donation. For qualifying tax- deductible donations, please, email trea@nafconusa.org for the necessary documentation.

Through NAFCON online donations alone over $50,000 has been raised as of today.

2. If your a Methodist Give through the United Methodist Committee on Relief: UMCOR as an office on the Philippines and in times of need as is the practice with UMCOR 100% of what you give goes toward the relief efforts and to address the needs of the people.

To read more about UMCOR’s work and how to give directly through UMCOR read thisarticle on UMCOR’s response to the need for relief. You can also give by Cash or Check through your local United Methodist Church.

3. If you live in Hong Kong:

You may send your donations to the following organizations who I served with during my time there. And I will personally guaranteed will see to it that the money gets to the people who are most in need on the ground in the hardest hit areas:

CASH/CHEQUE DONATIONS
Payee: MFMW Limited
A/C #: 848-047866-838
Bank: HSBC

** Donations of HK$100 or more are tax deductible. If directly transferred or deposited to the above account, please send us a copy of your deposit slip by fax or e-mail **

You may send your cheque by mail to:
Operation Migrante Sagip Kababayan
c/o UNIFIL-MIGRANTE-HK
2/F., New Hall, St. John’s Cathedral, 4 Garden Road, Central, HKSAR
Fax no.: 2526-2894 E-mail: secretariat@unifil.org.hk