Previous Story
100 DAYS AFTER SOUDELOR
Debris cleanup continues
CNMI CARE continues to assist villages with their debris cleanup on weekends, in partnership with different volunteers. (Frauleine S. Villanueva-Dizon)
Among them is the CNMI Commonwealth Advocates for Recovery Efforts, the umbrella organization tasked to focus on the long-term recovery of the island, which is now training its sights on debris cleanup.
Last Saturday, CARE volunteers helped clean up Dandan of remaining debris.
“We’re removing the wood and the tin because those are the things that are very dangerous in case we have another typhoon,” team lead volunteer Ike Deleon Guerrero said.
Each team sorts the debris by type: wood, tin, and trash.
Guerrero said there are many reasons why some residents are still unable to clean up their properties themselves.
“The main challenge is they don’t have the transportation or either they’re living alone or they are elderly. They might be disabled or have health issues,” Guerrero said.
According to resident Balbina Rogolifoi, whose house was destroyed and her belongings scattered everywhere, CARE’s assistance has been a big help.
“I like what they are doing. It’s really helpful,” Rogolifoi said.
High school sophomore Jakiir Barcinas Hossain Mallick, also one of the team leaders for the volunteers, has been volunteering for three months since United4Saipan initiated their work and then for CARE.
“It just makes me happy to help people,” Mallick said.
For CARE executive director Jenny Hegland, who started her volunteer work through U4S since the day after Typhoon Soudelor, she is motivated to reach out to those in need.
“I just have a lot of empathy for people. When I see people suffering, I am very motivated to act,” Hegland said.
She said the coming together of the community has had a positive effect on everyone.
“When people are part of something meaningful that’s bigger than themselves, it just does something to people and I just love being a part of that,” Hegland said.
Nov. 10 marks the 100th day since Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan and Tinian on Aug. 2, 2015.
