Carnaza, 19/11

We are arriving early morning as planned. We are having a small breakfast and soon after that we start preparing the bags. As we cannot distribute all in one day, we decide to deliver first rice and corn to the most damaged village, Liog Liog, the village where Anastasia is from.

We are walking several hours around the island in order to make a list of people that lost completely their house, they are going to be our priority. We also include affected people, but who are not in an emergency situation. 

Returning to the boat, we all got some color from the sun, but at least we have a better idea now what the situation on the island is like. The island is not as destroyed as we were told beforehand, but there are still many families that are living in poor conditions without a waterproof shelter. We were told that only three houses would still stand up right, but we estimate that about ¾ of the houses are damaged and probably 1/3 completely destroyed. The wooden houses got hurt the most and unfortunately they are inhabited by the poorest people of the island. 

It would be good to have more tarpaulins or tools to rebuild their houses, but it was difficult to get those kind of information before our departure.

In the afternoon we are verifying the bags and bring them to the island on board the “bankas”, the local boats.

The first distribution of the goods has been greatly prepared by Anastasia: a list of the people from the village, a generator, loudspeaker and a few lamps… Everybody gathered together at the court in front of the church. We are invited to take place on the 4 chairs that are put in the center. After a touching prayer, the distribution goes along quietly, everyone following the call of his name.

Unfortunately Remy couldn’t assist this afternoon as he is having a high fever.

At the end of the night we are dancing together, it is a bit unrealistic, but our hearts are touched.