A dear friend and fellow photographer, Tracey Heppner, has been relaying messages from her family who are experiencing the tragedy of the recent floods in the Philippines. They run a medical clinic/educational foundation for the less fortunate and birthing clinic for under privileged mothers called Gentle Hands. Read on for an idea of what they are facing today.

Aftermath Of Floods in the Philippines
9/29/2009

I watched people walk away from the flood. Their faces were tired, drawn. Their eyes staring straight ahead. The lady with one slipper on. The man carrying a plastic bag with only an empty water bottle inside. Caked mud on their feet, some up to their waist. Most carrying nothing.

Thankful, maybe, to have their lives. I do not know why but my eyes well up with tears and I am so sad. So sad.

Our guard at Gentle Hands lost everything but the shirt on his back. His eyes are full of tears as he tells his story. He watched his cinder block house slide into the river. He saw his neighbours family seeking refuge on their roof. He couldn’t reach them. Their house was ripped away by the current of the raging waters. They were still on the roof. He watch them disappear downstream. He is exhausted, still unable to rest as there is not enough food for everyone taking refuge in the school rooms. He is left with nothing. Nothing.

Our cook and her children, though they only rent the house they lived in, lost all their earthly possessions. Everything was ripped out of their home by raging flood waters.

One of our other staff members, had all her belongings destroyed. She has worked so hard to save and buy that little TV and her little fridge. Months of saving and sacrificing to have material things for the first time in her life.
These people have no savings account, no back up plans, no insurance, nothing. Life here is day to day for most people, not just the for the poorest of the poor.

We are doing what we can. Malabon is our focal point at the moment. The people who live on the very edge of our island, right beside the ocean, are used to flood waters. But they are stuck in the local school. They still cannot go back to their homes. The water is still waist deep.
We grieve for those who have lost so much. We grieve for those used to having everything. They will be given help by the government for sure. But the poor. They are used to having nothing… does that mean they should not be given anything?

Help us provide food, water and blankets, for our people, please. Help us restore our staff. Help us be the hands and feet of Jesus. Please.

Gentle Hands is on the front lines of this disaster. To do your part, please give generously.

For love of the poor,

Charity & Evan Graff
Gentle Hands
www.gentlehands.org

If you can help, even if it’s a little, please contact Tracey or you can donate online at Gentle Hands.

Laura is a Vancouver wedding and portrait photographer. Visit laurahana.com.