Meet Renae Saxby and Julien Chavinier, travelers from Australia and France, respectively. They’ve been traveling across Asia and discovering the wonders of this part of the world. While in El Nido, they met a fellow traveler to whom they shared their desire to volunteer in an area hit by typhoon Yolanda.
We’re grateful to this unidentified British guest, whose name they’ve now forgotten, because he somehow knew about the Peter Project and advised them to check out NVC Foundation. A quick Google search led them to this website, and after an email to NVC, they were signed up as volunteers!
We quickly put them in touch with our field officer, Alyne Batano, who was on her way to Biliran province for various Peter Project boat turnovers and Mingo Missions. The trio found time for a tricycle selfie.
First stop: the launch of Mingo Meals in the island province of Biliran with NVC’s partner, JIK Foundation. Julien and Renae played with the children, helped pack the weekly rations for their meals, and added their hand-drawn smileys or hearts to the packs.
In Brgy Caray-Caray, they hauled water, weighed children who were enrolled in the nutrition program, and gave out Mingo packs to beneficiaries.
Next stop: a coastal community to do a Peter Project boat turnover! Renae posted these on her Facebook wall:
It was a day of backbreaking work for Julien, who unloaded boats from truck to turnover site most of the day. But it ended with a time of fellowship with the Peter Project beneficiaries.
Now on to Tanauan in Leyte, where they ran into Tatay Ricardo Modesto Sr., who was rebuilding his house. Julien asked if he could help with the carpentry, while Renae contributed some plywood to make a floor when she found out that they were still saving up for a wooden floor.
Thank you, Julien and Renae, for your selfless service to those in need. You inspire us to continue in our work and to believe that individuals can truly make a difference! We can’t wait to find out what you’ll do next!
