No, Cebu wasn't effected by the flash flooding, although we did get lots of rain.

This is a family that I took under my wing just over a year ago, it's my own personal thing. I don't give to charities, too many middlemen making money out of it for my liking. I help out when there is an emergency - which isn't that often, take the kids to the beach, pay the power bills, nothing really major (yet). But it's a drop in the ocean, the poverty here is crippling, as is the corruption. I really don't know how they stay sane - but they do, in the most awful conditions.

I will move to Cebu in April.

Happy New Year.

Thanks Skywalker. Good on you - glad you were able to help out and make a positive difference to a family experiencing such poverty and hardship. A lovely gesture - and one I'm sure we all find heart-warming. It's always worth looking beyond our own doorstep - especially at this time of year. And it's great to hear you got so much out of it, too.

Out of interest, was this through a charity or just something you undertook under your own steam, as it were? Was Cebu affected by the flash floods caused by Typhoon Washi? I know The Phillipines have had a particularly tough time recently as the UN outline here: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=40845&Cr=philippines&Cr1=

It would be good to hear what other forum readers and members have been up to this Christmas, as well.

Graeme
Community Manager
graeme.delap@moneysupermarket.com

Graeme,

I spend Christmas Evening with a large family in a slum in Cebu, Philippine Islands. They are living in accommodation roughly built out of old wood and plywood panels, with 'wriggly tin' roofs. Open sewers thread through the community and one tap serves at least 5 homes.

The family usually has spaghetti or a rice based meal, but I treated them to a roast pig. They were absolutely thrilled. No presents were exchanged, because all the money they have is spent on real essentials - food, electricity, water, clothing. They have no assets, and therefore no credit. They get by. But this is survival and REAL poverty.

Christmas day, various family members went to church at different times to ensure there was always a responsible person to look after all the kids. A 2 year old was sick with vomiting and a high temperature, so I was dispatched (with the mother and grandmother) to the local emergency room at 2am to deal with the medical bills.

I think it was the happiest Christmas I've had for many years.

Happy New Year to all at moneysupermarket.

Hi everyone,

Anyone have any exciting plans for Christmas? Going away? Staying at home? Avoiding it as best as possible (bah humbug!)?

I'll be entertaining the gathering of clans this year - and generally trying to avoid the chaos. It's Delap Jnr's first Christmas - so I'm expecting wrapping paper to be enthusiastically favoured ahead of presents (did someone mention how to have a cheap Christmas?!)

It would be lovely to hear what you're all up to - and any tips on how to survive are always very welcome!

Graeme
Community Manager
graeme.delap@moneysupermarket.com