YPDR Month #1
Fellow YPDR co-founder showing off our operations – I missed the limelight, was up in DPRK for New Year’s, but now back in the Philippines.
As I now work in a Philippines disaster zone with limited internet, I will be stepping back from my DPRK activities. Please direct all inquiries to Enquiries@YoungPioneerTours.com
Young Pioneer Disaster Response – Cebu
The YPT disaster response team has finally arrived in Cebu after ferry delays and a 24 hour sailing from Manila. Initial challenges, such as loading and unloading the ship (including a very heavy generator), securing gear, and setting security were met by our volunteers with enthusiasm.
This afternoon we commandeered the ship’s conference room and laid out our short term plan for our 24 hour stay in Cebu and our move to the Bantayan base camp on the 7th of December. We will meet up with more volunteers joining our group tomorrow in Cebu, as well as procure more construction equipment. We bought all the hard to find gear in Manila, in Cebu we will pick up shovels, hammers, and cooking gear.
Our short term goal is to repair 5 island schools damaged by Typhoon Yolanda, but once the schools are built we want to continue our focus on the island, developing long term disaster preparedness facilities and training, as well as get the local economy back on its feat by developing responsible tourism.
As always we need your donations to keep this project rolling!
http://igg.me/at/Typhoon-Yolanda-Relief
Getting ready to move the generator.
Ferry to Cebu.
Grab a box! Hanging at the ferry terminal.
Planning conference on the ferry ride to Cebu.
Planning conference on the ferry ride to Cebu.
Passing Bantayan Island, site of our relief efforts.
Passing Bantayan Island, site of our relief efforts.
Young Pioneer Tours Disaster Response Team – Day 1
15 volunteers for Young Pioneer Tours’ Typhoon Yolanda Bantayan Island disaster response project are currently in Manila, staging supplies, and preparing to board the overnight ferry to Cebu.
Yesterday we bought a generator and brought military solar panels through Manila airport customs. In Cebu we have 75 volunteers traveling to our base on Bantayan Island to camp out and work on our project goal to rebuild 5 schools and get kids back into classrooms after Christmas.
We have raised over 15,000 USD and need to keep the money rolling in! Donations to our 2nd fundraising campaign can be made at the following link:
http://igg.me/at/Typhoon-Yolanda-Relief
I will be blogging the project on a daily basis and sharing photos here; being a blog primarily based on North Korea I hope people don’t mind.
IMPORTANT: Philippines Relief Effort
Dear friends, family and fellow travelers – Young Pioneer Tours is sending Chris White & Captain Joseph Ferris to the Philippines to help our friends in the disaster relief effort. They will be on the ground helping rebuild destroyed homes and distribute well needed supplies. We are asking that anyone that is capable please donate to our efforts. If you are interested in helping with this monumental task or join our crew please contact Chris White at chris@youngpioneertours.com. We thank you for all your support! We will keep you posted on our efforts as they unfold.
Donations can be made to Paypal account: # R4T36NB338KZW email: chris@youngpioneertours.com
Thanks from the YPT family.
Update: Within 5 hours of posting the Young Pioneer Tours Philippines Relief Mission, we have had 5 YPT pioneers volunteer to join our team and several donors commit money to our efforts. Thank you to everyone that has shared our link or contacted us. We need to keep it going. We are looking for more donations to help us buy supplies in China before we head over. If you can help let us know. email chris@youngpioneertours.com for more information and ways to donate. Thanks guys you are the best!!!!
American in North Korea 