Ed Klassen's Humanitarian Mission in the Philippines

I write this from my hotel room here in San Fernando in the Province of La Union in the Philippines.

San Fernando is appx a 6 hour drive north of Manila, and is a city of appx. 100,000. people.

Temperatures this time of year (May/June) is very hot and muggy. Our high has been 40 degrees C with high humidity. We experience heavy rain in the afternoons.

My task for this assignment involves a business that employs some 300 staff altogether. There are 7 automotive retail outlets, some gas stations, some Goodyear tire outlets and a large hotel/resort.

The biggest shocker about the Philippines is the absolute corruption that still exists here. All segments of government are totally corrupt from the Presidents office down. To give you an example. I went to a Rotary meeting tonight, and we were on a NEW stretch of concrete road that was totally a disaster. It was cracked, heeving, not evenly poured...and 3 bridges were partially caved in. The President of the companies I am working with was driving and he advised me that this road was only 5 years old, including the bridges. Apparently, a semi truck had pulled over to the side of a road some 6 months after this road was finished, and the road caved, rolling his semi. No insurance..and he was out of business for 2 years until he could afford to pay the repairs. What happened? Apparently only 20% of the funds that were allotted to pay for this road went into the road. The government officials from the top down scammed millions of dollars through corruption. An investigation was done, and confirmed this, but nothing was ever done.

The average income here is 6500 Philippine pesos a month, which is about $150.00. It is simply pitiful.

This company is struggling to survive, and I am giving my best shot to assist them in putting in place a better business plan, some structure and cost cutting measures, better policy, tighter receivables, and revamping marketing approaches. The ultimate goal is to try and save jobs for these poor souls.

I have met a family that have 8 children. The father has left them all years ago to work abroad, and is believed to have started a new life. The eldest, Grace, is 25, and she is going to College thanks to the help of one of the managers of this hotel. She simply cannot find a job. No one in this Country is hiring. Most businesses are letting staff go, or shutting their doors. Her family would like me to assist her to get a job abroad as a Nanny. She already has her passport, speaks English quite well and would be an excellent Nanny for someone in need. If you are interested, please email me at edklassen@cs.com. I am determined to give her a hand.

How I thank God for all the riches we enjoy back in Canada, and once again give thanks to HIM for the richness He has afforded to me.

Ed