Professional writer, designer, and blogger. When she’s not publishing eBooks, designing embroidery patterns, or blogging — Mel’s out in the sunshine finding new stories.
In February 2014 I arrived in the Philippines expecting to do one month’s volunteer work with an international aid agency in conjunction with CERV Philippines. To be honest I thought I’d have a technology-free 4 weeks and lose a few…
Travelling back to Estancia, Iloilo for Christmas was absolutely worth every late flight, every noisy airport and every dodgy boarding house. It was great to see my friend Matt Kennedy again who is now working with Australian Aid in Iloilo…
ACT Alliance and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) have been working on the ground delivering aid to human beings displaced by Typhoon Yolanda. Learn more more about Typhoon Yolanda and the relief efforts in the documents…
Getting out of the car in Marabut (a province in western region of Samar, Philippines) I spot two little girls through a makeshift bamboo fence. I wave and they wave back. I have arrived in Tacloban City only a few…
I landed here in Tacloban City at midday today knowing absolutely no one. Being in Estancia during Typhoon Ruby and knowing my friends are safe I felt compelled to come immediately to Tacloban and Samar to see if I could…
Whenever you see a tiny child sick with a severe illness it will make you cry, but in the Philippines walking around the poverty of Barangy Botongon, Estancia it just crushes your heart. I had taken this little girl to hospital…
Ronnie, the man in the photo, died the day I landed back in the Philippines just over a week ago. I went to visit him and check on his family but was greeted by his wife and his body lying…
This little girl really needs your help. A couple of nights ago a shared a shelter house with family of ten (10) as we waited out Typhoon Ruby. The family live at the top of the hill in a bamboo…
The Botongon Elementary School was almost completely destroyed by Typhoon Yolanda and the oil spill of Powerbarge 103. I shot this video back in May 2014, the Principal of the school lamenting that the school had not received any form…
Checking out of woolies today and receiving a little pack of animal cards I instantly knew I'd be taking them with me to the Philippines when I return on 29 November. There are so many kids over there who don't own much…
Seven months after Typhoon Yolanda ripped Powerbarge 103 from its moorings, there is still oil on the shoreline of Estancia. I'm not sure how well you can see in my dodgy video, but it upsets me every time I walk…
A message from Ma'am Annelyn Tung written on a blackboard in a makeshift classroom at the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College. "Please don't get the chairs from this 'room'! We need help! We need assistance! We need classrooms ... The…
On Monday I attended the turnover ceremony as the National Union of People's Lawyers handed over five (5) fishing boats they were donating to fisherman affected by SuperTyphoon Yolanda and the oil spill of Powerbarge 103. The fishing boats will…
Yesterday I visited the National High School in Estancia, Iloilo (along with former Vice Mayor Rowena Placencia and Matt Kennedy) to meet with the Principal and twenty (20) gifted students. The students were personally selected by class heads along the…
Read More Rewards for gifted students with financial difficulties
When Typhoon Yolanda smashed the roofs off twelve (12) out of fifteen (15) classrooms at the Tanza Elementary School, eleven (11) blackboards were left either damaged or completely destroyed. For the last seven (7) months teachers have been getting by…
I know you're wondering, what exactly is a 5/6 loan? Well it's something that desperate people do when they are trying to resume a livelihoood in the Philippines after Typhoon Yolanda and the oil spill of Powerbarge 103 have taken…
It's hot. It's at the top of a hill. It's miles from the market. It's miles from the schools. The bunkhouse is nowhere near the home you lost in Typhoon Yolanda.
When you lose everything in a cyclone such as SuperTyphoon Yolanda you are faced with the immediate crises of what to eat, where to sleep and what to wear. But what about seven (7) months on when school resumes. Has…
On my last day in Estancia, Iloilo before returning to Australia (April 8, 2014), the kids living in the tent city (emergency shelter post Typhoon Yolanda) were concerned because they were being moved to bunkhouses in another local government Barangay.…
The "Daisy Carinderia" is an eatery located in the now fire razed market of Estancia. She wants to give up but her granddaughter is intellectually disabled and requires constant care and the expenses are high. Established by Daisy Tabernilla (62)…
Read More Her business was spared from the market fire … but what is the cost?
One of the reasons I returned to Estancia, Iloilo (Philippines) was due to the deeply entrenched poverty I witnessed. Typhoon Yolanda only exacerbated the lives of people already living on the edge of desperation. Then on Sunday night at 9.45pm the…
Sancho Trogo has skin ulcers related to an oil spill. He also suffered a stroke and lay on a piece of bamboo for two months praying for help. Now in hospital. The photos really don't capture the infected state of Sancho's…
I see this banner hanging next to the health clinic every time I go to the market in Estancia. So during one of my market trips I stopped to photograph the banner so I could spend more than a few moments…
During my first visit to the Philippines in February 2014 following Typhoon Yolanda, I spent a considerable amount of time in emergency evacuation centre, affectionately known to locals as "the tent city". In western terms, "evacuation centre" doesn't really provide…
Despite being dissuaded by local government from taking action against Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management(PSALM) Corporation, a group of brave residents in the Barangay Botongon (Estancia, Iloilo, Philippines) is filing action after Powerbarge 103 slammed into their homes at…
Read More Taking action against injustice: the stories of 25 women (part 2)
It has been six months now since the Filipino province of Estancia, Iloilo was overwhelmed by SuperTyphoon Yolanda. The immediate trauma of the cleanup and the loss of loved ones is now replaced by the daily reality of trying to…
If you want to help this family, donations can be made by Depositing to this dedicated bank account. Bank: ME Bank BSB: 944600 Account Number: 000153372 Name: Melinda J Irvine Donate via PAYPAL It was so overwhelming shooting this video, I…
Read More This little girl is sick, but it is actually her father who is dying
In just over twenty-four (24) hours I will be on a plane returning to Philippines and the province of Estancia which was devastated in November 2013 by Typhoon Yolanda. I spent nine (9) weeks there earlier this year after volunteering…
One of the first things I was told when I arrived in the Philippines was "don't give money to people". Actually, during my initial 9 week stay, I was told this many, many times and by different sources. Why? Well they…
I'm on the move and less than two weeks till I return to the Philippines on 14 May 2014. I begin the long drive south today stopping off to see friends tonight at the totally awesome Wintermoon Festival (Calen, FNQ).…
The first day I arrived in Estancia, Iloilo (Philippines) with CERV Philippines we were taken to meet the people of the tent city. It was a really emotional day for us seeing entire families compacted into tents manufactured for sub-zero…
Not this time. You know how sometimes you hear a story from someone and then days or months or years later you hear the "real story". Well this happened to me on one of my last nights in the Philippines…
One of the funniest experiences I had was in Manila before I even reached the disaster area. Myself and Rahib Chaudry, a Canadian volunteer I had met earlier that day decided to take a walk through the night markets of…
Sometimes that is great and sometimes it is a bit hard to handle. Like when you're sick. I had the worst flu I'd had in years and had completely lost my voice. I'd range between sleep and sweat. I woke…