Day 5 and RC SFDM

So an early start with a breakfast of Dim sum, jasmine tea and crows feet and it was straight to RC HQ and into cars for a trip to see some of the projects supported by the RC of San Francisco Del Monte. SFDM. They have a number of really inspirational projects and I was keen to see them. The first destination was to a school that they are currently supporting and trying to complete the construction of a new toilet block The school has 2000 children and is not a very big place and is serviced by two toilets. Yup read that right. 2! The area we were in was one of the more deprived areas that we had all been keen to visit and we spent time chatting with people and taking photographs. It was a moving experience as the school rooms reminded me of the Victorian ones I have seen in the UK. We all agreed that we could support the scheme from home and then it was time to move on. Interestingly I never felt threatened or worried in the barangay (housing estate) and the people were all friendly.

Next stop was the amazing mobile surgery unit. This is doctors donating their time so that routine surgery can be completed in a fully kitted out operating theatre that is housed inside a shipping container. The surgery going on was fascinating but I'm not sure how the poor girl being operated on under local anesthetic felt having all of us gawping at her and when Natalie started to turn white it gave me a good excuse to take her outside. Nothing more than a touch of heat stroke and having done my own measly medical best on my team mate (hold hand, pat head and make stupid comments) we had photos taken and a large discussion about the viable use of shipping containers as houses. Good work all around.

Next stop was to the 'foundling' home for abandoned street kids. We approached the large hut with its low roof and immediately saw the group of young boys all peeking out of the windows. The foundlings are basically street kids that are taken in, looked after and set on a part to succeed. The boys we visited were just the tip of the iceberg and were aged 3 to 8. They have a place to live, stability and love from the team that manage the centre which is a world apart from living on the street. Upon going in the boys were all told to sit down which they did in an orderly way and I saw that we were all standing awkwardly when all I wanted to do was get involved. As a result I took the lead and plonked myself in the middle of them all and started reading a story to them. This broke the ice and I was joined by the rest of the team and chaos ensued with our cameras, glasses and other items being used by the boys to great effect and it was smiles all around. Then we started some dance with the music that they had and I'm afraid to say they stole the show with Gangnam style!

It was all over to soon and as we drove away the emotions were running high. I could see that Amy and Nat were close to tears and the radio playing sad songs didn't help so I tried to break the mood with a standard 'Dad' joke that I am well known for, something like "isn't that the most amazing jeepney you have ever seen!" Natalie got it and laughed and Amy just looked confused but it worked!

A trip back and stop off for a spa and massage with the most amazing sunset over Quezon City and then onwards for our second club meeting at the SFDM meeting in the famous Manila Hotel. A more formal dinner and a successful presentation and it was a late finish and fall into bed.

Writing the blogs has now given me time to reflect on how much we are putting into each day and how the team grows closer each day due to the experiences we share. Long discussions and ideas of what projects we can support when we return abound but for now its just enough to close eyes and grab some sleep!