Tareina Hunt has been home from a six-month excursion to the Philippines for a couple of weeks, but the trip is continuing to impact her on a number of levels.
Aside from re-acclimating herself to North American time, the Estevan resident says seeing first-hand the condition that thousands of people live in will stick with her forever.
Hunt went to the southeast Asian country to volunteer for the group Young Focus. The Holland-based organization runs a number of programs to help impoverished children get an education with the hope they will escape the slums of Manila.
Hunt worked at Young Focus's children's centre located on Smoky Mountain, which is a garbage dump with thousands of inhabitants who live in makeshift housing and earn money by scavenging in the dump.
Hunt said for a small organization Young Focus does amazing work and to see it first hand was a special experience.
"They are such an amazing group, they do so many great things," she said. "Most of my friends have asked 'would you do it again' and I absolutely would do it again. I was almost never ready to run home. I'm not even sure I was ready to come home when I did, but I am glad to be home."
While working in the children's centre, Hunt was able to make bonds with a number of the children and became so close with many of them that she admitted to feeling some guilt about leaving.
"I know that I don't need to feel guilty, but I guess I feel guilty for leaving all of those kids in their situations even though I can't specifically change their situations," she said. "It's hard because you develop these friendships with these children just to say OK, bye, I'm leaving after so many months is really hard."
Asked about some of the highlights of her time in the Philippines, Hunt said the biggest thing that sticks out for her are the people.
"They are so kind hearted, not confrontational," she said. "I saw how happy the kids are with what they have. It blows my mind that these children and families don't know any different."
Although she has left the Philippines, Hunt has not put Young Focus or the country behind her; quite the opposite in fact, as she plans to start Young Focus Canada. She also plans to return to the country.
From Canada she plans to continue raising money for the organization. One of the focal points will be raising money for a new program to help kids who were previously falling through the cracks.
"One of the goals I had as soon as I got to Young Focus was understanding their programs," she said. "They have programs for all students of elementary, high school and college and even young adults getting into the workforce.
"For the younger end of things, they have the building they built right on Smoky Mountain, which is called child care which takes care of malnutritioned babies. But once they are too old for child care and too young for elementary school, there is a gap there that Young Focus couldn't fill."
Hunt said the new program will cost $15,000 a year to feed, educate and care for 20 to 25 kids. They have raised half of that total and will begin a child care plus program in June. Hunt said she is looking for corporate sponsors to commit to an annual donation of $500 to $1,000 for that program.
She is also seeking people interested in sponsoring a child for $27 a month. Hunt said a number of people have valid concerns about donating to overseas groups, but after seeing the work Young Focus does first hand, she can confirm all of the money is put to good use.
"It really is amazing how little money Young Focus has," she said. "Anytime that they are raising money, it is specifically for a program. We could be helping so many more children, we just don't have the money for it."
Hunt added that Estevan residents have stepped up in a big way for Young Focus and the city has become very popular with the organization.
"I cannot thank Estevan enough. Every person in the Young Focus office or who has anything to do with Young Focus, the city they know in Canada is Estevan. They are so thankful for all the community support from here."
If anyone is interested in donating to Young Focus they may contact Hunt at [email protected]
