Super Busy Times

Hi Folks, I write this from Manila, where fellow APH organizer Dave sits next to me working on the blog entry we are co-authoring on our time in San Isidro.
See our website:
www.vcn.bc.ca/~aph

Aiyanas, Sophia, Billy and I traveled from Bacolod to Escalante, where we joined a training for National Federation of Sugar Workers Community Health Workers. I helped lead the first aid and the physical exams... pretty fun. Evy, a medical student from the Belgian organization INTAL (International Action for Liberation) joined us, and we had a blast together. After that short 3 days, our family, Evy, and our guides from NIHIP traveled to Cadiz, where we spent the night at a camp for the families of 13 men arrested for the 'crime' of trying to eek out a living burning charcoal during what is now 'tiempos muertos' or 'dead time' between planting and harvesting the sugar cane, when hunger is severe. The day we arrived, the families buried its youngest victim, 3 year old Jenny, who died from malnutrition and broncho-pneumonia. It was a very inspiring night of prison visit and check ups, more check ups at the camp and Aiyanas did a great radio interview which was aired the next morning to our delight. We learned recently that 11 of 13 men have been released, and have joined their wives and children in the camp until the remaining 2 men are freed.

After Cadiz, Aiyanas, Billy, Sophia and our guide Julius traveled to San Isidro, a community where the PO, NFSW, has initiated a strong health committee... but more on that when Dave and I finish our joint blog.

Now I am in Manila escorting Sophia and Dave to the airport. Aiyanas and Billy remain with Julius in Escalante for further integration with sugar workers and fishers, and research and documentation on the impacts of oil exploration and mining off the coast.

Send us some comments!