I was able to go out into the field, meet clients, and get to know some of the staff in Cebu (all for the first time)! I am absolutely exhausted but I have to write about the wonderful day that I had.
First of all, the staff members in Cebu working for Mentors Philippines are some of the most wonderful and hardworking people I have ever met, I can already tell.
When Nate and I arrived, we were greeted with a welcome sign and many smiling faces. I am looking forward to getting to know these people more.
Second, I got to go out into the field and meet two clients of Mentors, Ethel and Vilma. I did two interviews and although I feel they went well, I am hoping that I will become better at this interview thing as time goes on. Trial and error, right? Anyways, they were very sweet women and I am excited to write about their stories.
Lastly, I experienced poverty today. I mean real, dirt floor, children without shoes or pants, poverty. It was unlike anything I have ever seen in my entire life. It broke my heart to finally see for myself the conditions these sedulous people are living in. But you know what, in spite of it all, they are happy, and I am on a journey to try and figure out how that could be.