A Mother's Life In The Evacuation Centre
Lives have been turned upside down by Typhoon Haiyan, in many different ways. Visiting one evacuation centre in Visayas, World Vision communicator Florence Joy shares one woman's journey of change and adapatation. And, through it all, hope.
By Florence Joy Maluyo, Development Communication Specialist, World Vision Philippines
In her 36 years of existence, she never imagined herself telling a story such as this. A month ago, Emilyn's day started at 5 in the morning and ended at 10 in the evening. Everything seemed to be going her way — her family didn’t have much but they had enough.
Until Typhoon Haiyan came and struck Visayas.
“My husband is a vegetable farmer and we used to have a small store. The typhoon took almost everything. Our house was badly damaged and most of our things were taken by the water. We convinced ourselves that everything will be fine but little did we know that there’s more to come."
One of the biggest damages Haiyan brought in Estancia, Iloilo is the oil spill. A power barge ran aground during the typhoon which posed health hazards to the families living near it. On 11th November, the provincial government ordered an evacuation.
And the changes started.
In the morning
“It’s too hot in the tent and Gian, my youngest who is turning 2, cries a lot. At 3am, I have to wake up and bring him outside so he can sleep again,” Emilyn, a mother of three, said.
Jyn, her husband, built a makeshift kitchen and placed a small wooden bed. There, she waits for Gian to sleep again before she starts cooking in the early morning light.
“We have to line up for the shower room. There are 135 tents, we only have 8 shower rooms for girls so I always have to rush Jylyn [her second child],” she explains. “In almost everything that you do here, you have to line up.”
At around 9 am
“We have to clean the tent before 9am, otherwise, it would be too hot inside. After which, I attend to my mini garden which I just started. World Vision taught me about this years ago and I am glad it is helping me now.”
Emilyn took what’s left of her eggplant at home to the evacuation center. Also included in her garden are lady finger plants. All are in plastic pots. According to her, prices of vegetables are now up to P100 ($2.5) per kilo and her garden will somehow help them get through.
10 until afternoon
“I attend seminars provided by different agencies. I want to learn as much as I can. I also bring my children to where they can cope like the CFS [Child Friendly Space]. My eldest, Eunice, doesn’t have class yet. She volunteers there. Jylyn also enjoys it a lot. After school, she would rush to play. That, for me, means I know my children are safe and that I can do more work.”
World Vision has put up 3 CFS tents in the evacuation area. Botongon Elementary School is now using the spaces to hold classes and in the afternoon, children gather and play.
Day ends at 6pm
The sun is just about to set but one will see from all other tents how mothers get busy in preparing for their early dinner.
“We don’t have a flashlight. We are not allowed to light a candle so we have to eat not later than 6."
By this time, her husband arrives. Jyn just came from the Cash for Work program. He earns P277 (US$6.50) each day but the work is only good for 10 days.
“We planned to start with our store again but we’re not allowed to sell anything in the Evacuation Center. We’re not losing hope though. We will find a way to get back on our feet,” Jyn says.
I positioned the camera. Everyone in the family looked at it and they willingly gave a pose, typical of Filipinos.
“After eating, we all flock outside our tents and share stories. Then, we would all go to bed and pray that a little air would come in.”
Hopes for Christmas
Emilyn breaks down as she recalls this time last year.
“[It] was happy. We had a simple celebration but we were in our own home. Now, I look into our tent and cry as Christmas approaches. I honestly do not know what to do because we don’t have money. Maybe we’ll just go to church together. But even that is hard.
“I still feel like we are in a movie. Every day is a struggle but each day is also a revelation of God’s goodness in our lives. We’re beginning to adjust and I thank God that no one in the family is getting sick.
"I still have my three children. I still have my husband. We’re all alive and even without anything special on Christmas, we are still together. It is hard, but we are coping. That makes me happy. That makes me anticipate another tomorrow.”
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I went back to the Command Center smiling.
I was there when the people were first evacuated and I went home with a heavy heart. This time, after a month, I came back with so much hope because of the strength they showed.
And for the many mothers who share the same experience with Emilyn in the Evacuation Center, they made me appreciate both the gentleness and the toughness of women.
A writer can only do so much. We put daily encounters into words but what make a story really extraordinary are those who have been into it and have been willing to share it.
And yes, from what I heard and from what I wrote, I know, they will soon overcome.
We are constantly humbled and amazed by the resilience of the Filipino people, not least when hearing stories like this, of a family who have had everything taken away but still cling to their faith and to the hope of a brighter future when the country has been rebuilt.