Greetings friends and potential donors! I had an enjoyable and informative visit to my hometown, Bacolod City, Philippines. It was rainy the whole time I was there. Bacolod was wet, damp and quite mossy. I had a meeting with the informal settlers, which is the new term for squatters. I cringe to call them informal settlers or squatters because I get to know many of them, Biolinda, a house wife who I grew up with, Naldo an accomplished house builder, Inday’s mom is a beautician, Isaac is a tricycle driver, and John Heart! He is a precious 14-year-old teaching the younger children English in a vacant house two feet across where he lives. These are just a few of the people of Barangay Maginuligay.

What about Inday? The family thought she had cancer at 16 years old. Though doctors and surgeries are free, the family must shell out money for MRI, CT Scans, most medicines and incidentals. She was diagnosed with Advanced Tuberculous. Her older sister had to stop school. The money her parents make as a car washer and beautician went to Inday’s medical expenses which were not enough. Inday did not have to suffer because she lives in a squalid, airless environment. I dedicate my first fundraiser to Inday and the people she represents.

You can meet John Heart and Biolinda on YouTube!

I had a meeting with some of the residents of Barangay Maginuligay. We talked about their interest for relocation to a GK site (a well renowned nonprofit that provides housing for the poorest of the poor), where community involvement is highly stressed. We talked about educational opportunities. I asked the people if they are happy in Barangay Magbinuligay. Many said yes, but when the sky gets dark, they become vigilant and tense for flooding is inevitable. The sleepless nights are spent watching the water rise and hoping water does not reach the table tops where they tend to perch. There are floating debris everywhere. The waste from one of their neighbor’s pig sty float down every which way. It takes another day to shovel stinky tarry mud left on the floors. Flooding happens about 8 times a year.

I cannot do it alone. Please help and donate to The Luisa M. Gomez Foundation, Inc. Thank you very much!

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