November 12, 2014
Philippines
One of the areas hit by typhoon Haiyan last year was the village of Panan-awan. Although a lot of time has passed since then, local women feel its consequences every day. Just look at their houses or ask about the source of their income or about their relatives. Jennifer Barcial and Lolita Germones, who are being helped by Caritas Czech Republic, are also trying to get their families back on their feet.
Jennifer Barcial brings up four children and she is a farmer. Lolita Germones takes care of seven children and her husband's mother, too. Her husband works in a farm. The 8th November 2013 is still a vivid memory in their minds. Like the other locals, these two women sought shelter in the nearby evacuation centre. Someone told them that it was in this centre, created in the local school, where they could pass the storm. The Philippines are prone to such catastrophes and most of the Filipinos know the risk. However, the typhoon hit with such vigour that even the evacuation centre was soon flooded. "At the moment when the water got into the school, all our clothes were completely soaked," Jennifer describes the events of the last year.
When the storm calmed down, the people, including women, were trying to return home. They were surprised by what they saw. Their houses or roofs were either totally destroyed or considerably damaged. Their property was taken by the water. The first few days after the typhoon were very difficult for all the families. "We didn’t have any food," says Lolita. "It took four days to get some aid and to get at least cans." As soon as the water started to recede, more support was sent to the area. The women got corrugated iron to build temporary shelters.
Caritas Czech Republic supports local Diocesan Social Assistance Centre (DSAC), which encouraged women from Panan-awan in June 2014 to take part in the programme for “the renewal of the sources of living”. Jennifer and Lolita participated in the programme and they are very glad for the support. The diocesan centre provided them with seeds and tools to start small gardens. "It will enable us to have our own food and to feed our families".
Together with the other women they set up a farming association and worked together with the goal of creating a village garden. "We grow various kinds of vegetable, such as tomatoes, aubergines and also crops for sale on the market, for example calamondin (ed. - it is also called “acid orange”). The Diocesan centre has secured for us participation at a week-long training on organic farming since August 2014. We will learn how to produce our own hummus".
Jennifer and the other women are very grateful for all the support and that “they can work together now as a group and help each other”.
The project for the support of farmers and small producers, which is financed by Caritas Czech Republic from the public collection Caritas for Philippines, will continue at least until the end of 2014.
