Filipinos across the UAE joined hands for the benefit of over 144,000+ families and residents who have been displaced and affected by the ash fall of the Taal Volcano.
Here are some of the donation drives spearheaded by Filipinos in the country.
‘Tulong para sa Taal’
Hundreds of Filipinos flocked to POLO-OWWA early Saturday, January 18 to donate and provide their helping hands to pack up items for the ‘Tulong para sa Taal’ initiative.
Bayanihan Festival 2019 Chairman Josie Conlu shared that they have volunteers at evacuation sites ready to provide the donations for the victims. “Yung mga beneficiaries natin, may mga kausap tayong mga ground volunteers po tayo sa mismong mga evacuation centers sa Batangas City at Cavite. Doon po diretsong babagsak ang mga maibibigay natin.”
She also thanks the League of Freight Forwarders who will be instrumental in expediting the process of shipping and forwarding the donations back home. “Maraming salamat umpisa pa lang sa League of Freight Forwarders – mga cargo companies na nagbigay po ng tulong at mga pledge para maagang maipadala natin sa mga beneficiaries natin.”
Filipino teen of determination collaborates with community church
A young Filipino teen of determination proved that there are no boundaries when it comes to having a charitable and understanding heart as he spearheaded a call to collect donations, in collaboration with a community church in Abu Dhabi.
Lawrence de Guzman, a young Pinoy teen of determination gifted with the ‘perfect pitch’, worked with Pastor Stephen Bala of Abu Dhabi’s Great Nation Church to collate over 1,200 N95 masks, as well as other donations in kind including toiletries, canned goods, sleepers, biscuits, and used clothes needed by the distressed families back home.
Batangeños in UAE aid fellow Batangeños
Samahang Batangueno UAE, a Filipino community comprising OFWs based in Batangas, has started communicating with their members whose homes and families are directly affected by the calamity—especially those living in Taal and Lemery, places in close proximity to the volcano.
Jhoanne Marrie De Villa Buela, the organization’s secretary, said they are ensuring that their families are evacuated and are in good condition.
She added, “We started collecting goods like face masks and clothes that we are going to send to the Philippines via Air Cargo. A few of our members who are in the Philippines have prepared food and other necessities to those who have already been evacuated from their areas.”
