Typhoon Ondoy Relief Operations: Thank you donors

AmCham Foundation in its effort to mobilize resources for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy would like to thank for the immediate response of support given by STEVE DIVERS of DELTEK SYSTEMS, AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN of CAREPAK MOVING & STORAGE, the AMERICAN CHAMBER STAFF, DAN SPINKS of FLUOR DANIEL INC. - PHILIPPINES and Ms. MARITES DAGDAG of CLOROX INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES, INC.

We still encourage everyone to participate in and support activities in helping the typhoon victims.

For cash/check contribution you may deposit to the following account:
Name of Account: AMERICAN CHAMBER FOUNDATION PHILIPPINES, INC.
Account Number: CA #0041-0307-47
Bank: Bank of the Philippine Island
Greenbelt Branch

For proper accounting and to facilitate issuance of official receipts and tax deduction certificates, please fax a copy of your bank deposit slip, or telegraphic form and therein indicate the name of the donor and contact details.

For paypal donation, you may visit our website: www.amchamfoundation.com and click the donate icon. You may email us at del@amchamphilippines.com or amchamfdn@amchamphilippines.com for any support that you can extend to the victims.

It feels good and blessed to help.

Typhoon Ondoy: The worst natural disaster within almost 4 decades

Typhoon Ondoy is the worst natural disaster within almost four decades of floods in Metro Manila. It brought about 240 deaths as reported today and many still missing and homeless families.

The American Chamber Foundation is appealing for donations for the victims of the recent flood.

They are preparing relief operations and will be working in coordination with CNDR to deliver relief goods to the flood victims.

You can give your donations to the following offices:

American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines
2nd Floor, Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village
Makati City

American Chamber Foundation of the Philippines
Leonard Benjamin Development Center
4554 Casino cor. Olivares Streets, Palanan,
Makati City

Or you can call us at the following numbers to pick up your donations: 8340184 and 5518060.

You can send us an email at karina@amchamphilippines.com, linda@amchamphilippines.com

There is a lot of assistance needed in areas that were flooded.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.

Photo is copied from the email circulated by a friend.

The AmCham Advantage

Good fortune arriving at one’s doorstep is hardly a common event to witness. In Kharren Gomez’s (aged 16) case, however, just the exact thing happened and quite literally at that.

In 2004, when Kharren left Don Bosco Alabang and its informal education system, the American Chamber Foundation surprised her and her family when, right in their house, it presented her with an invitation for a scholarship grant. Living in a family with seven siblings, and being the third from the eldest, Kharren explained that, “financial issue was the major factor, of course, in grabbing the opportunity for the scholarship grant. I felt really happy when I got the scholarship. Now, it helps me a lot in my everyday expenses at school. In a way, it also eases the financial difficulties of our family.”

It was not only financially that AmCham was able to extend its assistance to Kharren. In several of her classes, she was ahead of her classmates because the lessons have already been covered by some of AmCham’s seminars. “My student life is wonderful because of AmCham. The topics we talk about during seminars get discussed in some of my classes as well; for example, reproductive health. When questions about it were raised in class, I already had prior knowledge, so among my classmates, I was advanced,” Kharren proudly shared. “Sometimes, I do feel pressure when studying, though. But that’s just in school. AmCham doesn’t pressure me,” she added.

Among the activities she has attended, Kharren found the youth camps and peer education the most memorable. “We were tasked to do activities for the monthly meetings. For instance, before the start of classes, we held activities on encouraging the students to go to class and study harder.”

More than the backing of AmCham Foundation for Kharren’s education, personality development is one asset she truly treasures. Kharren, with ringing laughter, revealed, “At first, I was totally quiet around here. I was shy but not anymore; I’ve changed. Now, it’s like I’m all out! I’m able to bond with other people, especially with other scholars.”

In terms of her family, she developed a closer relationship with her mother: “Before, I don’t talk with my mom that much. That changed as well. We now have times when we talk a lot about ourselves and family.”

As for personal changes, Kharren stated, “I remember there was one time in the training room when the facilitator asked us to give something that would symbolize our goals. He asked us to search for it in the room while we were blindfolded. It took me quite some time to find mine, but when I got it, he threw it away again! In the end, the message he was trying to convey was something like, ‘This is your goal. You’ve got it but it suddenly slips away. What are you going to do?’ That got me thinking a lot. I value myself more than ever now. I try my hardest to reach whatever goal I set and hold it with me.”

Finally, expressing her gratitude for the foundation that once entered her door, she addressed AmCham, “Thank you, because it was through you that I deepened my knowledge and enhance my talents. Thank you, because you’ve already provided me with a lot of help. Thank you.”
——Judith Ann Ochengco