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Gower & Llwchwr Estuary Lions Club
We Serve
Serving the Community for over 50 Years
District 105 CW
Reg Charity No. 1179733
Lions David & Morena were coming to the end of their Christmas vacation and had just said goodbye to
the Lolo's at the Lady Madeline College so decided to cool off with a swim in Lake Taal before returning to family in Manila.
As they were about to go into the lake they were warned that the volcano in the lake was erupting and to get back to Manila.
On the way to Manila it snowed Ash
What happened next meant another 4 weeks before they returned home.
The Lake was home to many fishermen and their families, they all
had to be evacuated to safety, into schools, Community halls and shelters some set up by the authorities some independent make do places.
With the International Airport closed for the foreseeable future David and Morena are stranded.
The Relief Operation
Being stranded they set to work, Firstly an appeal for cash to buy food and needed items, this was acted on at club level to our District Governor Ian then to all clubs in our district 105cw.
In the next few weeks over £2,000 was received from clubs in 105cw to help this was transferred to Lion David who then went shopping in the Philippines
It's getting a bit lively around here
They joined up with a 4x4 owners group leaving Manila at 2am luckily there were clothes left from another project, these are desperately needed. They drive to the affected area and then sort the food to provide parcels at the evacuation center's
Over the course of the day many families received food parcel's all conducted in an orderly polite manner no pushing or bad behavior just smiles - they had no reason to be cheerful some had been without of food for days and had no home to go to
After the last drop of food there were 36 parcel's left when they found a make shift sign saying there was a center in a derelict building. They stopped and found the people, They lined up behind the lorry to receive a parcel - there were exactly 36. now the days work was done
Another day out giving food David & Morena found in a school Baby Jane with her Auntie Gina both needing medical help and cousin 18 year old Christina.
They we able to give some immediate help and notify the authororities of their where abouts.
They were moved to more suitable location
Sadly Baby Jane passed into heaven in May 2021
The masks worn in the pictures were to protect against the ash from the Volcano
Covid 19 was a short distance away
David and Morena returned to Wales at the beginning of March 2020 just before the world lockdown
At our 50th Charter on Saturday 14th March The club honoured both Lions by funding a Pump Well in their name in the Philippines something very close to their heart for the work they did in extreme circumstances.
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