Be a good volunteer at a repacking center

Some thoughts on how we can better maximize the time and effort we put into volunteering our services for the benefit of those affected by Typhoon Yolanda:

PLEASE don’t be a diva. A woman who had also signed up for the 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift became impatient at 7 a.m. when only a few of us had been called into the repacking center to start work. She assumed that we would be called according to registration. She drew some looks when in an arrogant and loud manner, she asked a DSWD worker whether he was aware of what “number” it already was because she was aware that she and her companions were in the numbers 1-20. Kudos to the DSWD worker for dealing with her very patiently even if he looked like he had worked through the night.

After completing assigned tasks, do check
what else can be done and if you're up to it,
start working again. 

Expect some chaos.  I could see the attempt at organization and the semblance of a production line, but when things keep moving and the volunteers are fast at repacking – the flow is disrupted and it becomes a free-for-all with everyone wanting to do anything anywhere, which isn’t great for production. Be open to move from place to place, especially if the person issuing instructions sees the overall picture and knows what he’s doing. Don’t insist on retaining that spot where you plopped down an hour earlier to do work.

What relief repacking centers lack
are volunteers who can step back, spot
choke points and restore order
in the production lines.

Be honest about what you can do.  I had to remind my put number here‘ty something of a husband that he has lower back pain problems when I initially saw him carrying sacks, each at least 40 kilos, to the loading area. It’s a good thing he put his talents to work and I later saw him organizing people, moving production lines, and getting things moving. I also saw him toil, of course, but I really think he was more effective spotting choke points and restoring some sort of order in the process.

Do bring your own provisions.  Yes, almost everyone was working with bags slung on their shoulders or knapsacks on their backs. They came prepared to be self-sufficient with bottled water and some food inside those bags. Still, there was a water refilling station which enabled volunteers to refill their containers. Maybe volunteers can bring their own containers to reduce the use of disposable cups, which is a load on both the pocket and the environment.

Do take a break. Yes, you can. It is easy to get carried away by the wave of charity, goodwill and positivism in a relief repacking center and to keep working like there’s no tomorrow but do pause every now and then. You will last longer.

If you can, take the low-traffic shift.  The repacking centers are full after office hours and during weekends. If your stamina and schedule permit, take the red eye shift. I was told that after 11 p.m., only the Air Force soldiers are left at the Villamor Air Base repacking center.

My fears regarding the ability of my
10-year-old daughter to do long hours
of physical work were unrealized.

Do bring your older children if you think they can be of help. We have a tendency to shield our children from the harsh realities of life. They are more resilient than we think. It will do them good to help, and it makes for great family bonding.

It is not a crime to take pictures. We like sharing what is significant to us and I saw furtive attempts to take pictures during quick breaks. As long as it does not interfere with those working, do take a few shots. Then go back to work.  The sharing can be done later.

And finally, if you cannot volunteer your services at repacking, delivering goods, transporting and meeting evacuees, mobilizing relief and response efforts, etc. and etc. - there are many ways to serve the Yolanda-affected. Just do what you can wherever you are with whatever resources are available to you. We are one nation. Bangon, Pilipinas!