Dales Asis
Founder and President of Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide
Dear Friends,
As 2013 comes to a close and we look forward to gathering with family and friends to celebrate the beginning of a new year, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude for your support of our initiatives. Your commitment to helping promote Bayanihan, the spirit of community and cooperation, enables us to make a difference in the lives of the beautiful people of Philippines.
There is no limit to what we can do together. During my recent trip to Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, I saw firsthand the power of Bayanihan. Local community members of all ages were already mobilizing clean-up and recovery efforts, however limited, in their neighborhoods and reaching out to those without voice. I am gratified by our partner organizations who unhesitatingly helped us build on-the-ground relief efforts. Because of all of you, we were able to respond quickly and provide basic food packages and medical treatment to a number of affected communities.
There is still much work ahead and I have high expectations for 2014. The devastation of Typhoon Haiyan makes our work more critical and urgent. And we will need your support and dedication now more than ever. Please stay with us – with the Philippines. I have no doubts about our ability to rise to the occasion.
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! On behalf of the Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and hope that your time with family and friends is safe, joyful, and blessed.
Sincerely,
Dale Asis Founder and President Bayanihan Foundation Worldwide
Children in Tanauan, in the Philippines’ Leyte province, play beside an improvised Christmas tree decorated with cans and bottles. (Image: Romeo Ranoco, Reuters)
