On the Road to Somewhere : Project Bohol: Philippines

Since we moved here Cody and I have been looking for an opportunity to serve. Our schedule is constantly changing and so it's difficult to find on-going projects that we can participate in. That being said, after the earthquake and typhoon in the Philippines I felt called to try and help there. I found out about All Hands Volunteers and was so excited to apply! I was specifically looking for an organization that would allow us to physically contribute and that is exactly what Project Bohol was all about! On March 7th we flew into Cebu and caught the two hour ferry to Tagbilaran. From there we jumped on a tribike taxi and arrived in the evening just in time to see everyone rolling up to base after a full day's work. Everyone rides on the top of these buses to and from the work sites and seeing them all jump down covered in dirt was simultaneously super cool and really intimidating…."Hi we're new…and clean…and can we hang out?"

We worked around Bohol on different, previously signed up for, sites. We were usually in teams of around 6 people and our efforts were focused on "safe-ing" structures that were damaged. These were schools, homes, multipurpose buildings, etc. After one team worked to pull a building down another would show up and deconstruct the materials while still another team would come and clear the foundation so that the family could rebuild. We were able to work on all three of these different types of teams during our 10 day stay.

Each evening we returned to base and stood in line for the bucket showers (literally, a bucket with a ladle) to wash off the dirt, sweat, and usually blood from the day. Everyone had a tent set up in a common area and there were 4 toilets for around 60+ people. (No, they didn't flush…ladle that water in) Shockingly, I never had to wait in line. Lunch and dinner were provided and there was a bar within walking distance. After working in the hot sun all day a cold beer was a real good idea and we really enjoyed talking with our new friends. We had our team meeting at 6pm and went over the work completed and what was ready to be done the next day. New people introduced themselves, people that were leaving said good-bye, and we signed up for our teams. Lights out by 10pm so that we could be on the "Jeepny" at 7am.

I think the initial "safe-ing" projects had to be the most interesting. Some of these structures were like jig-saw puzzles…that could kill you. On three different occasions during our stay everyone had to "CLEAR!" a building. That was one word that you always listened for and if you heard it, it meant get the heck outta there…the building is coming down. Thankfully, not one person was hurt. Team leaders did a pretty good job of preparing you for the risks and making sure you would know what to do if the time came. I never felt unsafe, but everyone had to be extremely careful, moving slowly and thinking before doing. I'm not the most patient person in the world so this was a real learning experience…if we knock this wall down…then that will happen. Really, there was no way to just, "pull it down!". We worked as a team clearing the personal belongings, using bamboo supports, and then "failing" the structures so they would fall when and where we intended. I LOVED IT. I just loved it!

We also spent 4 days working at a local school to clear the rubble from several concrete and steel buildings that had been taken down. I'm really good with a sledgehammer now. No big deal. The best part about working at the school, aside from the super cute kids, was the food. They had two snack times and fed us great local food every day! I contrast this site to the first one that we were on…I heard someone ask if anyone was vegetarian and then walked around the corner to see one of the guys on our team and the homeowner slaughtering a chicken. I guess it was really fresh? Very cool.

We met so many incredible people from all over the world. I think that even though we were there from different countries and backgrounds the fact that we were working towards a common goal put us in a really unique position to become closer. (That, and sharing a campsite for so long) Of course, I loved the challenge after not working for so long and I know Cody had a great time too. I would go back in a heartbeat!

Looks like we're heading to Penang, Malaysia next week and then we'll be going back to the States until the end of April. God is good, we are still loving it, thank you for your prayers and for keeping up with us!

Christie (& Cody)