Walt's "CNMIStrong" Disaster Relief
Typhoon Yutu, known in the Philippines as Typhoon Rosita, was an extremely powerful tropical cyclone that caused catastrophic damage to the islands of Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, and also impacted the Philippines. It is the strongest typhoon to impact the Mariana Islands on record, as well as the second-strongest system to hit the United States and its unincorporated territories by wind speed, and the third most-intense by pressure. --Wikipedia
Super Typhoon Yutu hit the Northern Mariana islands of Saipan and Tinian on October 25, 2018. With winds of over 180 miles per hour, there was tremendous devastation that has left hundreds of men women and children homeless. However, beyond the homelessness, there is also a unique loss that many are experiencing--and that is the loss of a hopeful future.
In this second phase, I share Randy Vicente's story:
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#2 RANDY'S STORY
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"We cannot chase him away. Where will he go?"
It was four days after Typhoon Yutu tore through the islands of Saipan and Tinian, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Joeten Supermarket in Susupe, Saipan had just re-opened to the public, and so, it would be the first time I would resume my morning routine of checking the shelves for fruits and vegetables.
I approached the worker dutifully stocking the shelves in the produce department of Joeten Supermarket. His name is Randy Vicente. Originally from Cavite, Philippines, Randy has had only this one employer in his twenty-five years on the island. And, in all the years I've lived on Saipan and shopped there, Randy has always been quite friendly, always offering a bubbly "Good morning, Mr. Walt!" offering information on upcoming sales, asking if there was anything he could help with, and making this mundane experience quite pleasant. Today was no different in that regard. However, I could tell something was different. The area around his eyes had the telltale darkness and showed the strain of someone who hadn't slept in days.
"So, what's your situation?" I asked him.
"Oh, me? I'm homeless!" he replied, and despite the direness of what he had just said, he delivered it with the same bubbliness and smile as if he were greeting me on a normal day. "My roof is gone, and my apartment is destroyed," he added.
"So..So, where are you staying?"
"Nowhere," he replied. "For the past four nights, I've been sleeping in the front lobby of World Resort."
(In this video, I asked Randy if the hotel staff and security gave him a hard time while he was in the lobby. He said no, but he overheard them saying "I cannot chase him away...where will he go?")
"Did you try sleeping in a shelter?" I suggested.
"What shelter?" he asked.
I had heard from another worker that Saipan Community Church had a shelter. I told Randy about it, and he confirmed that he, too, had heard about it just that same morning, and would be giving it a try that evening after work.
"What about your stuff?" I asked.
"Oh, it's still there."
"You mean in the apartment?"
"Yes."
During the storm, as Yutu's Category Five winds increased in intensity, Randy realized his apartment would likely not withstand the pounding and so he sought refuge and rode out the storm in the Nauru Building close by. He returned to find his room destroyed.
It saddened me to realize that here he was showing up for work for his 6am to 1pm shift, as he'd done for 25 years, spending precious daylight hours unloading boxes, stocking shelves and helping customers, while his own personal belongings were sitting in a roofless single room with only three and a half walls exposed to the elements, and with nowhere to return to shower and get a good night's sleep. I thought about the indignity and mental strain of sitting in a hotel lobby hour after hour, night after night, while hotel staff and security guards passed by knowing you weren't a guest.
The thought also crossed my mind that what was needed was some sort of free storage facility for typhoon victims.
With no tourists arriving these days, many of the hotels are offering a local rate of about $70-$80/night. It's a small thing, but I'd like to provide Randy--and anyone among the hundreds who are living in tents or in their cars-- a few nights in a hotel to regain some semblance of normalcy and dignity, and to replace some of their damaged, water-soaked belongings. Electricity, running hot and cold water, a bathtub, a clean, soft bed, the privacy of a toilet--one that flushes and is not shared by dozens of other individuals--these are a few of the "luxuries" you take for granted, that would make a world of difference for victims of Typhoon Yutu three weeks after the storm, even if it's only for two nights. Your donations will offer such a gift to Randy, and others, to encourage them to stay strong....CNMI strong. As usual, I'll film the disbursements so you can see how your contributions are actually impacting real people's lives.
Randy Receives Hi Check!
Watch video of Randy receiving his check:
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#1 - MANNY' STORY
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I was inspired to launch this particular campaign after a brief two minute meeting with Manny. Manny is from the Philippines, and came to work on Saipan. He started a mechanic shop, raised children, leased land, secured tenants and invested his life's time, energy and money over several decades to prepare a future for himself and his family. Overnight, those dreams were dashed.
I was walking on the debris strewn streets of Saipan the morning after the typhoon, and someone honked a horn to get my attention. Manny pulled up, joked that I made it back from a recent trip just in time for the typhoon. Then, with tears in his eyes, he commented, "Do you know what the percentage (loss) on Tinian is?" he asked. "Ten out of ten. I lost everything...all my retirement. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now."
"Did you apply for FEMA assistance?" I asked.
"No, last time they weren't able to help me," he replied. "I didn't meet the criteria."
"Well, try again," I suggested. "Last time, Soudelor was a Category 4, and this time, Yutu is a Category 5. It's possible, that some of the criteria may be different given the level of destruction."
"I hadn't thought of that," he replied. "I think that's why the Lord sent me down this street to run into you."
Another vehicle was approaching behind Manny on the narrow street, so we bid our goodbyes and he drove off.
Thirty years of hard work. Gone. I walked away from the encounter thinking that there must be something I or others could do for people like Manny. FEMA may provide temporary assistance and replace automobiles. Red Cross may provide water, canned goods and other needed items, but people like Manny come away from the experience and are still not made whole.
Manny was one of the first people I met when I relocated to Saipan in 2006. He helped me assess my Corolla, gave it his stamp of approval, and I've recommended him to others who needed the same assistance. He's one of the most humble, most generous, sweetest folks among an island of great people in great need.
I was fortunate. My building sustained minor damage and I'm still able to live there. However, there are also other folks I've run into over the past 6 days--people like Helen, the grounds keeper, or Randy who stocks the produce in Joeten Supermarket--who are showing up to work every morning despite being homeless.
Everyone's pain and loss are important. However, my plan through this particular campaign is to feature certain individuals like them (through updates), tell their stories, and give YOU the chance to help them so you can put a face and a circumstance to your donation. When I do offer the recipients your token of support, I'll film it, tell them who it's from (you can also remain anonymous) and post it online and send you a link.
You can donate any amount now, and once I start telling individual stories, you can email me through the site or directly and let me know whom you'd like to help or with any other special requests.
If you've taken my Saipan in a Day or WWII Pilgrimage/Amelia Earhart tour of Saipan or my Enola Gay/Hiroshima tour of Tinian over the years, you know I have a great love for this little island community that has provided me so much joy and allowed me the chance to live out my own dreams. This is my effort to help others keep THEIR dreams of a better life alive!
The funds will be used in any of these or other ways:
- as simple gifts the recipient can allocate as they see fit
- to fund a few nights in a hotel for shower and a good night's sleep.
- anything you wish to suggest based on their stories
Manny receives his check:
ABOUT ME:
My name is Walt F.J. Goodridge. I'm an author, speaker and occasional tour guide here on Saipan. Im originally from Jamaica, graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Columbia University and moved to Saipan from New York City in 2006. Since then I have
- written several books about Saipan
Jamaican on Saipan
Chicken Feathers & Garlic Skin: Diary of a Chinese Garment Factory Girl on Saipan;
The Saipan Living Relocation Guide
Doing Business on Saipan
From Bugle Boy to Battleship
Saipan Now! (A photo Adventure)
There's Something About Saipan
collaborated with Riza Ramos on Drinking Seawater (A Typhoon Soudelor Memoir)
- started the WELOVESAIPAN site and blogger movement with Angelo Villagomez
- launched and maintain over a dozen websites devoted to the history and mystery of Saipan and the CNMI
- done several business and creative workshops and started the SAIPANWRITERS group
- written over 250 articles for my " Saipanpreneur Project" business column in the Saipan Tribune
- and received a SENATE RESOLUTION (15-54) recognizing me for my contributions to CNMI society
Read more about me and my commitment to the CNMI at http://www.discoversaipan.com