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It has been almost a month since i got to Cebu, all i got to say is, it has been an massive eye opening for me! So many people here are living below the poverty line, i could see so many people living in the street even families, and they've set their " home" in cardboards with a ground fire to cook their food, wash themselves in the public, wash their clothes and just chilling. The beggars are also everywhere and they would just follow you constantly if they thinks you're rich. We have been a target for them because we are white and in the Philippines they automatically believes that you are rich! We also would get a hard cold stares from people, not because you are signing or anything like in the UK, but because you are white. I does feel like being discriminated because of my race sometimes (very different to the uk when i felt discrimated because of my deafness).
I have never felt so vulnerable in my life, no where is safe, and we are constantly looking around, holding on to our belongings, and gluing to each other. There was also few incidents happening in the past week, one of the UK volunteer was sitting with us in the jeepney, we was waiting in the traffic light, a man walked in the middle of busy road sneakily up behind her and suddenly tried to grab her necklace but instead it strangled her and ran off in the daylight! Luckily, he didn't take her necklace but unfortunately it is broken. There has been stolen phones, purse, money, getting mugged after you ask for a change from jeepney, and almost getting your belongings stolen by a gang of pick pockets. Funnily enough, before we came to the Philippines we were expecting them to be friendly, but no, we are made out like we're a doormat and get mugged. We got told it is a popular month for the thief to strikes because of christmas coming up.
It has been a long journey for us all, we all are homesick, we all have cried, laughed and argued together. It is expected but we are here for a reason so we all got each other to support, encourage and hopefully to make the difference once we get back to the UK.
- comments
Kev stead You all need to stick together and stay safe. Don't forget though they are not all thieves and muggers and the majority will be ok. When you have nothing sometimes thieving is the only choice they have. Keep your wits about you at all times
nana just all stick together and you all be fine every one of all your famileys will be proud of you all xxx