The Bicol Express Vol 1

I have just completed my first week of work, some days it feels like I have been here forever as I have packed in so much and other days it feels like I have just arrived.  On arrival, Simon continues to look like a highly efficient and professional organisation.  I flew into Legaspi and the views are just amazing.  The volcano is within eye sight everywhere and makes orientating to the city a little easier.  The place is so clean, beautiful and luscious, so different to Manila.  Kuya Edward is my boss and he met me at the airport with his wife, Erlynn who also works for Simon.  They took me for a tour of the city and surrounding areas.  The people are just so nice, welcoming and eager to interact with a 'westerner'.

I have moved into a family's house in a granny flat style room.  They are very supportive, know the workings of Simon and a great mentor for the project.  The people in the Philippines are so family orientated and call me uncle, grand nephew and just wrap you up with family like support.

The view from my bedroom! Note the volcano!

The project is taking shape, so far my mission is to assist with implementing functional input and goal orientated focus into their early intervention program.  At the same time, I will be working within the rehab program to see how OT may impact on the service.  Once we have established this I am to complete a manual and training within these areas.  There are focus groups booked in already!

I visited the village, which is a purpose built town for people with disabilities affected by the mega typhoon in 2006.  It is an amazing atmosphere of support and community.  I have met 4 of the children who live there, each with a traumatic story, but surrounded by the most supportive and loving families and community.  It was difficult to see some of the kids, and know what services are available in Aust and how they may look and function if they were in a different setting.  Most of these are medical based i.e surgeries, btx, and other medication.  But this is why I am here, to see what can be done!

I completed one focus group with the Rehab staff this week and nearly had a heart attack with what I thought they wanted me to do; the list of jobs kept growing and growing, and begun to include swallowing and early speech development.  I nearly hit the panic button, did they think I was super therapist!  I had a chat with Kuya Edward who put me right and said that the meeting was mostly about brain storming and the project will be refined over time.  While it may sound like they want me to do these things, this next month is mostly about getting to know the service, gaps and potential areas for development.  Phew!

I have also started language classes with Ate Erlynn, is has cased a few giggles! Put a Ba sound instead of a Ma sound and you go from wishing a good morning to cursing at them.  I have also found that learning the language has been a great in with staff members and the community, the smiles you get from the kids when trying out he language is very entertaining.  I am learning the local language "Bicol" as well as Tagalog the national language.  All languages are made up of the same vowels, and 2 letter sounds. AND each vowel has only ONE sound.  It is right up my ally, I can spell here!

A few interesting things:
Jag jeans (not sure about the authenticity!) $25 aus
Mango's and Banana's all year round are practically free as they are falling off trees everywhere
If you talk Australian most people cannot understand you, put in an American accent and they can
EVERY meal has meat and rice, and sugar, including breakfast and interesting contrast to muesli, but I am loving all the new foods and experiences.

So week two starts on Tuesday 11th as the national election is on the 10th. Here is hoping for a calm and peaceful election and not an early return to Australia!