I finished my three weeks of working with All Hands Volunteers' Project Bohol in the area around Antequera on Bohol Island yesterday. It was an unforgettable experience for me and all of the other volunteers who came to Bohol from all over the world to help earthquake victims directly with our own labor.
A devastated neighborhood (barrio) in Antequera as Project Bohol begins to take down and de-construct the wrecked buildings. This area looks very different today, but more work still remains.
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A local woman weaves a basket. The residents of Antequera are renown for their handicrafts.
We worked to de-construct wrecked homes, schools, and chapels, while salvaging as much of the materials as possible for reconstruction. Building materials are expensive commodities for these rural people.
It is very hard work. It wasn't unusual for me to drink a gallon of water during a day's work. It was essential to take breaks in some shade periodically during the work exposed to the blazing tropical sun and high humidity.
Thanksgiving dinner at Project Bohol.
Volunteers reached our job sites in Jeepneys loaded with wheelbarrows full of tools and ladders. De-construction is very hard on our tools with many breaking creating a constant need to purchase new tools. I bought a large pair of bolt cutters when I got an opportunity while visiting Tagbilaran City Bohol's largest city to use to cut rebar. We seemed to always be short of a few of the tools we needed.
Most of the volunteers slept in tents we brought with us.
Due to the space limitations inside many volunteers rode on the roof or holding on to the back of the Jeepney.
A homeowner talks with an All Hands work team about which direction he wants his Shelter Box tent's entrance to face. We had to demolish a section of the concrete floor to create a level site for this Shelter Box tent.
The interior of his family's new temporary home, a Shelter Box tent.
Two all hands work teams tackle the task of de-constructing a local school's partially collapsed milti-purpose building
Some of the school's students pose for a photo with Project Bohol's volunteers (that's me in the upper right HAND side).
Some students catch a ride with Project Bohol's Jeepney as we return to our base for lunch.
The volunteers at Project Bohol were ansome. The came from all over the world to help people with few resources (by western standards) recover from a devastating, deadly earthquake. This was probably the most physically demanding job I've ever taken on, in relatively arduous conditions. Living conditions were Spartan but the people there made it a joy to be a part of. Some volunteers were expats living and working in Asia, some were Filipinos helping their fellow countrymen, some were backpackers taking time to help during extensive travels, and some came from the Americas and Europe just to take part in Project Bohol. One Couple was even on their Honeymoon!
Every one of the the volunteers at Project Bohol earned my admiration and respect for their hard work personal commitment. IMHO They deserve your help too.
Please give what you can to give us the resources to continue this critically needed job. The need for rebuilding across this region of Bohol island is enormous, even if it has been overshadowed by the recent disaster inflicted by Typhoon Yolanda on nearby Leyte.
Help All Hands Volunteers Project Bohol
Also see my previous diary:
Photo Diary: Project Bohol setting up Shelter Box Tents in the Central Philippines