December has been a busy month, but to be honest it is a blur and I have to look at the calendar for a reminder of what has happened.  We started out on the 2 of December at Joy Kiddie Center.  John Go Hoc, an ordinary man turned extraordinary citizen, saw a need and stepped up to.  He freely admits that it is God who has opened doors for this community work as John has tried to help the children of Intramuros.  

John Go Hoc entering the after school facility he built for the children of Intramuros.
The children were still in school when we arrived for our tour.

This is John Go Hoc with Sister Webb and Sister Lemmon

This all started many years ago when his father advised him to buy a piece of property.  He did not have a vision at that point in his life, but he followed his father’s council and purchased the land.  Years later he said he received promptings to return to the neighborhood and do something with the land.  When he visited the area he noticed that the neighborhood children were left to themselves.  There was no place to play and gangs were starting to cause mischief in the area.  He felt the children needed some place safe to play, but he also felt they needed some guidance in their use of time.  So, he decided to use his property as an after school safety zone.  He built a nice school where children could come to learn different skills and get help with their homework.  He says the Lord’s vision has grown as different opportunities have open up.  Land adjacent to his property has come on the market and he has purchased it.  The Joy Kiddie School now takes up 4 pieces of property including a warehouse that he purchased a year ago.  It has been turned into class rooms.  The upstairs is now a community center where the University Students come to socialize and learn of Christ.  His message in all of this is that Jesus Christ loves each of us.  HE is the only way to peace in this world.  A nondenominational church service is held every Sunday morning at 11 am.  John teaches only the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Children coming to after school program

 He has used his own resources to guide these children.  He has a music building where piano and guitar are taught as well as vocal music.  (According to John, some of the children have been drafted by the nearby Catholic Church to sing in their choir because they have a good knowledge of music) There is a computer lab, a library, study hall, and game rooms.  The older children tutor the younger children.  The outside area has a trampoline on a small strip of grass; basketball court and volleyball court.  There is a small office for John and his staff that stands separate from all the school buildings.  The day we were there the stray cats in the neighborhood had gathered for their daily feeding.  It appears that all strays, children and otherwise are welcome at the Joy Kiddie School.

face of the future

John showing Elder Webb the music instruction room.  Guitars hang on back wall

John has helped hundreds of children complete their schooling, stay out of gangs and off drugs over the past 20 years.  The youth are well mannered and really seem to have a feeling of community caring for one another. They take school seriously and feel the need to excel.  This all because one man saw a need and asked what he could do to help.  John Go Hoc was a successful businessman when he returned to this neighborhood.  

Looking at the play yard with volleyball and basketball stands.  The building in the back ground is the warehouse that was purchased last year.  It houses a computer room, a library for reading material, classrooms and the second floor, above, is the
church/ community center for the older children in the neighborhood.

He had a family of his own, but he looked at streets of Intramuros and saw children unattended, some abandoned, some compromised and looked into a future that was frightening.  He decided that was not the future he wanted for this neighborhood.   He says with God’s help he as able to see a different vision, one of hope and productivity.

Library collection in the converted warehouse

Student Volunteers from the University  remember their days at Joy Kiddie School and want to give back.

Volunteers








This is the Church Community John Go Hoc built.
He wanted a place to keep young people safe. It has become a place to gather to learn of Jesus Christ.
This room serves as a Non-denominational church on Sundays.

Elder Haynie from our area Presidency met John and then asked what the church could do to help.  John said the school could use some more computers and a copy machine.  (They are training students on computers) Elder Haynie came to us and asked us to follow up on this.  So that is how Elder Webb and I came to meet John.  The Area Office has recently changed over some of its computers for new ones. 

 The old computers have been reconditioned and will now go to the Joy Kiddy School.  We have a hand over on the 11 Jan.  We loved visiting with this humble man of vision.

Partners meeting/ Christmas gathering include tributes to our partners.  The Ayala Foundation,
IIRR (International Institute of Rural Reconstruction) Physicians for Peace, Health Futures Foundations Inc., Charity Vision, Philippine Society of New Born Medicine, Catholic Relief, Philippines Marine Corp., the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation,    The Department of Education and the Department of Health

We sang Christmas Carols as part of our tribute evening.

Dinner with Iris Gokeeloa and her husband Vinson in China Town

 We had two typhoons in December, a partner’s dinner (Webbs were in charge of decorations) Temple lighting and dinner with the local dignitaries, two updates with Ayala Foundation (we are working with them on 3 programs in education) Dinner in China Town with one of our partners in Neonatal care; dinner and the Symphony with the Area Office Senior Missionaries; Another call to Balar after typhoon Melor,  call cancelled, emergency call extended, call cancelled again, a Christmas Party at Elder and Sister Bowen of the Area Presidency and a week in Baguio for Christmas Break.  Baguio is a post of it’s own. 

Did I mention the landslides?  There are a few of those.

Looking at what has just been written it appears we are two party animals.  We may be, but let me assure you there are plenty of hours spent at the computer or on the road as we work visiting with partners and work on projects that are part of our job here in Welfare.  We are blessed to know that God is directing the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Because of His kindness we are meeting some incredible people.  We are learning new concepts; about new cultures and peoples and new ways of seeing things; we have a greater awareness of God's power and his patience.

Being gone for Christmas is hard, but one Christmas is down and the tears were minimal; in part to the good people of Baguio who kept us busy.

Love, mom and dad

Grandma and Grandpa

Elder and Sister Webb

Dear Lovlies,

The past two weeks have been filled with conferences and meetings.  The planning and coordination for the Welfare Department training session was given to me.  You have to understand that we really do not have a budget for such things.  It has been the desire of our chief, Benson, to have a conference and gather all the service missionaries together in some lovely location for instruction and for a show of appreciation for their service.  He has wanted to do this for years.  The service missionaries are a group of wonderful Filipino Saints who serve a couple of days a week at their own expense, just like we do. Most of them have not retired yet and are juggling their every day jobs as well.  Just the time on the road is a sacrifice because it takes for ever to get anywhere; the financial sacrifice is on top of that.  So Elder Misalucha went to the powers that be and plead his case.

Planning committee MaeAnne and Sister Webb  (MaeAnne is the secretary: "do everything" person in our office)

We did get special permission and of course our budget was very conservative.  I spent some time finding a location.  Most of the places were beyond our budget.  Then we came upon Ating Tahanan National Program and Training Center in Baguio.  The Girls Scouts of the Philippines run the place and it IS used for them, but they rent it out as well.  So, we reserved a spot for ourselves for 2 and 1/2 days.  I originally thought it was going to be an easy relaxing time, but Benson filled every minute with training.  We started with breakfast at 6:30 am and then classes running constant except for meals and breaks.  We had 12 private rooms, a dorm for our sister missionaries and a room with 4 beds for one family who came with a special needs daughter.  There were 38 of in all.  It was a wonderful experience for everyone.  The Girl South facility catered the event for us.  Benson wanted them to do snacks as well.  Can I just say their idea of snack is pretty hearty, we had lasagna for one morning snack and all the others were as filling.  They served a snack in the morning and then again in the afternoon.  We had to stay on schedule or our snack would get in the way of our meals.  It was crazy, but no one missed a meal or snack as far as I know.

The Welfare missionaries from the Philippines Area 

Evenings were free.  The Filipino sisters love shopping so that is what they did.  I was told there is a place that is open 9.00 pm until 1 am.  You go to some location and they have boxes there with items for sale.  Sister Gorriceta came back with a Gucci bag she picked up at a very good price.  Apparently it had the letter of authenticity with it.  It was lovely.  There is a funny story about this place that I will share when I get home....if I remember.

taking a break

Special recognition for service: each couple received a plaque thanking them for their hard work in LDS Charities  This one is presented to Elder and Sister Soleta by Benson Misalucha (L) and Kenneth Gomez Lee (R)

                       

tired after a full day

Elder Webb discussing what we learned from Typhoon Lando

view from the conference room

Benson giving instruction

 

Baguio was a breath of fresh air, literally (well at least the conference grounds were).  It lifted our spirits and felt like the Pacific Northwest; cool evenings and mornings with Evergreen trees and lovely Hydrangeas some of the things we love and miss.  Downtown Baguio is like any big city here, lots of people, traffic, beggars, noise and smells.  We loved the fruit and veggie markets downtown and were able to load up on Sagada Oranges and fresh greens before we headed home. The broccoli was 1/4 the price of Manila stores: so sweet.

We couldn't  help but think the Girl Scout Camp would be the perfect place for a family reunion; if one lived here that is.  The rooms were big and good rustic with private baths and beautiful views. You can google the place using the name listed above if you are curious. The private rooms run about $40 a night.

I'll tell you about our partners evening in another post.

We are doing well.   Keeping our ears to the ground weather wise.  It is still Typhoon season.  There is a low front headed for Mindanao as I write this.  I hope it does not pick up steam.

Love and miss you all,

Elder and Sister Webb
Mom and Dad Gma and Gpa

Meals were served buffet style with several meat selections, rice, veggies and salad at every meal.  Everyone was pleased with the selection and variety.  There was more than enough to keep this team going.

                                                    Baguio's farmers market at night

Fruit stand in Baguio farmers market

A Step Back in Time.

Last week we took a trip back in time.  We drove south from Manila at 5 am to Silang, a town in Cavite.  We met the Soleta’s, our dear friends who are church service missionaries, and another sister who had arranged for us to visit a rather remote school in need of assistance. 

We are working with the Department of Education to take lights to schools without power.  The program is called 1 lamp 1 child.  This program would provide solar lamps for poor children allowing them to do their homework, or read after the sun goes down.  We are hoping to enable children, to stay in school and further their education.  Many are dropping out because their school program just passes them by.  They are unable to get assigned work done; they fall behind and then just drop out.  The DepEd is trying to address this problem and these lamps may be one solution.  As LDS Charities representatives, we are privileged to meet and work with the teachers and students in some of the schools identified as in need (they are called “un-energized” schools).  As you can imagine there are many.

Now, this trip to a remote barangay was a little different.  There is no road access for cars.  There is a wagon path that can be accessed by 4 wheel drive at certain times of the year, but we are still experiencing some rain in this area.  So, Elder Soleta arranged for us to go by Caribou cart.

This adventure was something our grandchildren would have loved.  We drove to the outskirts of town in an open backed truck which deposited us in a field.  In front of where our driver left us was a rather large animal hooked up to a wooden slat wagon; our transportation to Guatasin and their little school. A rope was threaded through the Caribou’s nose and down through his mouth and acted as a bridle. (A Caribou is a cross between an ox and a fairly large cow.  It’s pulling and work capacity is similar to an ox.) 

We climbed aboard. (I am not as agile as I used to be. What’s with that?) The owner of the Caribou climbed on the back of the animal along with the son of one of our missionaries and off we went.  It was a slow lumbering ride as this amazing animal pulled us in the cart over mud that rose to its knees.   We were grateful we did not have to slug through the mud. It gave me a slight insight to our pioneer fathers and their trek across the planes.   Our path seemed to take us up a ridge traveling up between two valleys.  At the top of the ridge we could see a beautiful view with a large body of water in the distance (Laguna de Bay for those of you following along on google maps).   Guatasin sits on the top of the ridge.  The ride took us about an hour. 

When we arrived in the village we passed by a number of homes that were very humble but well-kept including colorful plants in the front yard.  We drove up to the school where parents were waiting for their children on the front porch/patio.   A flag was flying.  It was tattered and dirty but flying with the pride of the community.

The school is a clean one room structure with glass in the window (not always the case).  There is a single, solar powered light bulb in the ceiling to light the whole room.  The windows provide adequate light on a clear day; stormy days less so.  We visited with the teachers and listened to the children do their lessons.  It is a bit of a challenge because there are 4 different grades in the room.   First through fourth are taught in this school. The other children walk or go by Caribou cart to Silang to attend middle school and high school.   Most of these children have chores before they can go to school.  There is no water in this community.  The children walk about 20 min. to a nearby stream where they fetch water daily.  They also bath and do their wash in this stream. While we were in the class room a few children arrived late and we were told it was because they had to get water before they could leave for school.  When the children did arrive late they stopped at the door to the class room and formally asked for forgiveness for being tardy, explained why they were late and asked for permission to enter.  They were polite, orderly and attentive.  We worked with them on some finger play and taught them the song head shoulder knees and toes and after two times they could sing and do the moves faster than I could.  They are a quick study but do not speak English.

We had brought snacks for them which we shared.  (Mango juice and biscuits)  One little fellow ate his biscuits and drank park of the mango juice then slipped out of the room to give his little brother, who was waiting outside with his mother, the rest of his drink.  It was very sweet to watch.  After a visit of little over an hour it was time to head back down to the valley.  We said our good byes and were given fresh papaya and bananas from their personal gardens.  It is humbling to receive gifts from those who are so poor.  We try to show the heart felt gratitude we feel.  Have I mentioned how good the bananas are here?  The best I have ever tasted.

Our ride back down the mountain seemed harder on our animal friend than the journey up.  He rested while we were in the school but was given no water because they did not have any to give.  The bull worked his way along the trail huffing and puffing and snorting until he just had to stop.  The temperature was warmer than the cooler morning temp and the beating sun had turned hot on the animal’s skin as well as ours.  A few of us opted to walk a distance to relieve the burden.  The ground had dried out and the mud pits seemed to be drying up.  The rocking and jostling of the cart created a half sleep half-awake state of being.   I now know what it would feel like to fall asleep driving a covered wagon. 

We traveled with seen and unseen men walking behind us; going home it was the Barangay captain.  I found out later they were there to protect us from marauders who sometimes cause mischief in the area. This courtesy and the cart ride were provided by the people of this small village. How grateful we are for the kind consideration of others.

Each time we have an assignment we recognize the fullness of our lives and we feel blessed.  Blessed because of the life we have shared and are sharing; blessed because of our beautiful family which continues to grow.  We are grateful for the schooling our children and grandchildren have had.  If the children here do not finish school they have little hope of making a good life for themselves.  We are grateful to know the Lord has provided a way to lift the down trodden, help the poor and needy and provide for the weak.  It is through you and me. Our job here is to help create projects and programs that lift and encourage sustainable support.  A part of our reality is the poor.  Jesus Christ tells us they will always be with us.  

meeting with the principal of the satellite school we visited

 

We rode in the back of this truck to the field were our caribou ride began

Our driver and caribou

On the road to the school

home site we passed on the way

first site of school

school flag

parents waiting for their children

class room with library

work is done on the board

children do not have shoes

children in class share their desks

working with the children

 Elder Soleta showing the teacher a solar lamp we will help supply

heading back

We saw this beautiful rooster on the way home.  He is a proud fellow.

These are the powerful hindquarters of the caribou.  They help control the rate at which we travel down hill.  I ached for the animal as we pounded against his body in our down ward descent.

The two men walking towards us in this picture were our guides back down to the valley.  The one in the red cap is the Barangay Captain for this little village.  These people know how to protect themselves and were doing the same for us.  They are quiet, unassuming people with wonderful smiles.

we will remember these faces

This fellow has special needs.  He is 14 and works in the class along with the other students.  His job is to keep the black board clean, which he does with great enthusiasm.

Elder Webb visiting with families just before we leave.  There is a wonderful spirit about these people who love their families and work hard to provide what they can.  The eat mostly fruits and vegetables and of course rice..

Till next time Love Elder and Sister Webb

On to the next assignment.

Elder Webb and I went to Fabella Hospital's Maternity and Neo-natal wards Thursday.

It was eye opening to say the least.  I had prepared myself to be upset by what I saw.  Those with whom we have spoken about Fabella have painted a dismal picture saying I would leave upset.  I must say I have been upset with what I have seen a number of times but not this time.

While the hospital is terribly over crowed and the staff is stretched to the limit I felt it was uplifting in some respects.  Yes, the beds had more than double occupancy, but the women and their babies seemed cared for.  No one was in distress.  The hospital was as clean as can be expected, except the toilets, but they have a different standard than we. It did not have that wretched institutional hospital smell.  The nurses were encouraging and would complement the mothers as we walked through a ward containing over hundred mothers and babies.  One side of the ward contained the well mothers and babies with normal vaginal births the other side contained babies and their mothers who had been compromised and had some sort of infection from the birth process.   There was also a section for Kangaroo care, which is being studied here.  This is a training hospital and they are monitoring the effects of skin to skin contact and babies development.  These woman had a maximum of 2 women per bed.  These beds are a little bigger than the hospital beds in the U.S. so things aren't as bad as they seem from that perspective. 

The Neo-natal unit was down stairs.  Dr Chris is head of the Neo-natal program.  She spent the entire afternoon with us touring the hospital and introducing us to the staff.  We are hoping to ease their burden in some way. They especially need respirator machines.  They have a few, but with hundreds born they cannot fill the need. Manual respirators cannot give a constant flow of oxygen and the babies suffer.  They have home made light boxes for the jaundice treatment. They work but not as efficiently.

In one of the neo-natal care rooms (of which there are many as this building was originally built as a prison in the late 1800's)  there were babies with sever problems. One little fellow had several birth defects including water on the brain, and it was leaking. His head was too big for him to move. His eyes were spaced wider than normal and he could follow people even though his head was laid to the side. His was crying and distraught, his little arms and legs stiff and flailing in unaided need.  I took his little foot in my hand and gently rubbed it.  He seemed to respond. I then put my fingers over his heart and said a little prayer asking the love of Jesus to comfort him. This may sound strange to some of you, but he seemed to understand and the stiffness left his body and he was calm, at least he was when we were in the room.  This little sole and I connected for just a few moments. It is God's love that comforted both of us. I think about this tiny one and wonder if he has been relieved of the burden of his body.  Fabella does not have the ability to care for these kinds of needs and no other hospital would accept him.  He will die before long, as the policy is to administer only humane care with water and some nutrients.  The parents cannot care for him.  They must choose which patients receive the available assistance.  It is a scramble each new day as to who will receive life giving care and who will struggle to survive.  Yet these doctors and nurse are dedicated loving people and do all in their power to help.  How difficult it is for all.

We visited the delivery room. The first time we went it was the end of the day and it was empty.  The second day we visited Fabella  all five beds were filled with mothers delivering babies.  There was a hustle and bustle of movement but not a single sound.  There is no medication given to ease delivery pain here and yet not a sound from any of the 5 women delivering.  It was an eerie silence.  They are a stoic people.

I think I am beginning to cushion myself or put up some sort of protective emotional barrier. I still feel like crying a lot, but If I had of visited this hospital right off the bat, when we first arrived, I would have been very upset.  This hospital is the last stop; many of these women have been to several hospitals, examined and turned away. The exams from previous hospital and the long rides on public transportation leave some women and babies compromised and they end up with infections or in distress.   The policy at Fabella is that no one is turned away.  

Fabella is a National Maternal and Newborn Hospital (government subsidized)

Dr.s Webb in ICU respiratory unit

and delivers between 18,000 and 23,000 babies a year. (down from previous years) The nurses and doctors here are dedicated people, many who could travel to other countries and collect large salaries yet they are intent on making a difference right here, and they are.

We just wanted to say we are so blessed.  We are blessed to have raised our family in the U.S......in Oregon.  We are blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ to know of his goodness and love for all God's children. To know He hears and answers our prayers.  We are blessed to be here to be shaken to our core so we realize how very blessed we are.

Love to all


Elder and Sister Webb,

I sent this picture to our pregnant daughter, all she could say was "Yikes, how do they ever sleep."

This is the maternity ward at Fabella Hospital

There are over one hundred mothers and babies in this room.  The first time we went to the hospital the room was relatively quiet, the second trip we made the weather was hot (no air conditioning) and there about 1/3 more people in the room.  It was not a quiet place.  How do they do it?   They just make do.

Delivery room

recovering from birth is a shared experience

These are the homemade photo-therapy machines that help but are not as potent as commercial ones.

Here Elder and Sister Webb meet with doctors to discuss the needs of the hospital

Kangaroo care is monitored.  These are smaller babies who need encouragement to survive.  They have had good results with the skin to skin therapy.  These mothers have way more space, I would do better as well.

many of these babies are on resporators

These babies are not twins, they just run out of space so they share.  It is impossible to keep things sterile.

 Elder and Sister Webb along with Heidi McSweeney and her father (specialist from SLC) saying good by to the staff of Fabella.  Far left is our partner Iris Gokeelao from East meets West.  Her foundation helps the church supply machines that are life giving and life changing and then follows up to make sure they are running properly.