Nov. 8 was a tragic day in the Philippines as one of the world's largest typhoons ravaged the eastern seaboard of the nation killing almost 4,000 people. Now millions of survivors are homeless and are facing sanitary conditions that threaten their health. Since then countries around the world have stepped up with aid to help the Philippines during their time of strife. Canada has been a part of that resolve and has sent a 200-person emergency team including a military transport plane with a crew of 54. Plus the Canadian government has pledged to match any donationsto registered Canadian charities providing aid to the country to deal with thedeadly effects of Typhoon Haiyan. That sense of charity has rippled to Carlyle.
With a Filipino community of around 80 people Typhoon Haiyan struck Carlyle as well, putting many Filipinos in a state of disarray.
Richel Subere a resident of Carlyle for the past four years hails from the city of Surigao in the Philippines. She said when she first got the news of the typhoon and the damage it caused, she was shocked. Subere explained that typhoons are not uncommon to certain parts of the Philippines but this being one of the largest the world has seen her mind was never at rest. She has been pushing for support and donations from Carlyle.
"We're posting on our timelines (Facebook) and on garage sales in the area and everyone wants to donate, clothes, kids clothes, whatever you have in the house, we can use it," she said.
Some Filipino residents in Carlyle have never experienced a typhoon but helping others in their homeland was a priority. San Mig has lived in town for six months and said where he's from typhoons are uncommon but said he knew he had a role to play.
"When I heard the statistics of how bad it was I was shocked. I wanted to help out whatever way I could so I donated money to the Red Cross so that's my way of helping from the other side of the world," Mig said.
Benny Caan who was one the first Filipinos to settle in Carlyle seven years ago, said he can't stop thinking of what's going on back home knowing it's one of the worse typhoon's the world has seen.
"I can imagine how devastating it must be, because I have experienced it since my childhood when typhoons hit my little island up north," he said.
Caan is from Basco in the province of Batanes and he said luckily his family back home hasn't been affected. However, he said he knows of some Filipinos in Carlyle whose families have been affected and went home immediately after hearing of the disaster.
"Hopefully they are doing fine with family back there," he said.
"As far as I know almost every little town with a Filipino community are trying their best to make up some donations and have a drive."
Christmas is a highly celebrated time of year for the Filipino community and Caan explained that for the upcoming season a lot of their focus will go into rebuilding the country.
The Red Cross and other organizations are accepting donations but the Kenosee Inn and Cabins will be hosting a buffet fundraiser on Nov. 30 at 5:30 p.m. Traditional Filipino dishes will be served as well as entertainment and all proceeds will go toward the Red Cross Philippine relief.
Anyone who wants to donate can also go online and visit www.redcross.ca to assist with the relief fund.
