Announcing the "KOR LFR Interviews" Series

In the coming weeks a new series of articles - running parallel to the "Projects" articles series - will be added to the website. The new series is called "KOR LFR Interview Series" and it will feature one-on-one interviews with officers and members of the KOR and LFR Bonn Chapter. The series aim to introduce the people behind the organisation, a sort of backstage ticket to the movers and shakers of the group. The series will explore their views and perceptions on living  and working abroad, on their social engagement via the KOR LFR and their vision for the organisation. 

The series will be an exciting chain of articles that allow friends and supporters to get to know the Ladies and Knights like never before. Stay tuned!

KOR LFR Bonn Chapter holds 1st Goal, Norms and Processess Workshop

Sir Dirk explains the procedure to the group

The Order of the Knights of Rizal and Kababaihang Rizalista Bonn Chapters held their 1st Goal, Strategy and Team Building Workshop at the Evangelische Grundschule in Troisdorf last 17 July 2011. The objective of the  well-attended event was to create a clear understanding of the aims of the organisation, the proper code of conduct among members and procedures to follow during projects. The group believes that, once these fundamental building blocks are understood and practiced by everybody, the team will solidify as a group and teamwork will be more efficient.

Ni Hao, Rizal!

The Ladies and Knights atChina Restaurant Pavilion

On the KOR LFR's recent trip to participate in the 150th birthday celebrations of Dr Jose Rizal (see related post here), the group decided to stop by for lunch at China Restaurant Pavilion at the heart of the historic city of Heidelberg.

Flashback Project 1: Relief for Typhoon Ondoy victims

Typhooon Ondoy (Source: www.pinoygigs.com)

Typhoon Ondoy (Source: www.fobbdeep.com)

Typhoon Ondoy (International Codename: Ketsana) was one of the most devastating typhoons of the 2009 Pacific Typhoon Season, and the most devastating typhoon to hit Manila, Philippines.

After Typhoon Ondoy dumped rains that flooded Metro Manila and its nearby provinces, Typhoon Pepeng pummeled northern Philippines, triggering massive flooding and landslides. The two weather disturbances left more than 600 people dead, and damage to infrastructure and agriculture estimated at close to 30 billion Philippine Pesos, according to the Philippine Office of Civil Defense. Then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a state of calamity throughout most of Luzon after flood water levels reached a record 20 feet in rural areas. The government has come under a storm of criticism over its slow and inadequate response to Ondoy. 

Current Project 2: Rizal Learning Center in Bohol

Tagbilaran City, the capital of the island province of Bohol, is the recipient of the second current Philippine project of the KOR and LFR Bonn Chapter. The organisation, in cooperation with barangay chairman Odysseus C. Glovasa and other local officials, developed the barangay library of Poblacion 3, one of the 15 barangays comprising the city. 

Rizal Learning Center in Poblacion 3, Tagbilaran City, Bohol

In 2007, when the barangay hall building was upgraded, a Learning Center was added in the basement of the new building. Although construction officially finished in 2008, the Learning Center remained incomplete until 2011.  Chapter Commander Peter Plueckebaum and Adviser Jeni Plueckebaum initiated contact to the Barangay and after presenting the situation of the Learning Center to the oganisation, garnered the strong support of the LFR LOR Bonn Chapter. In the months thereafter, bookshelves, tables, chairs and writing boards were gradually supplied to the Learning Center. 

Current Project 1: The Ormoc Project

The biggest and longest -running project of the Knights of Rizal and Ladies for Rizal Bonn Chapter is the Support for the Educational Programme of a Flood Resettlement Community in Ormoc Philippines or simply, the ORMOC PROJECT. The project is in cooperation with St. Philippine Duchesne's Ormoc Workers Foundation (SPDOWF), through its branch office, the Sacred Heart Children's Educational Center, headed by Sister Iraida E. Sua-An. 

Flashback to 1991, more than 8,000 people in Ormoc City perished from flash floods caused by illegal logging and denuded forests. In response to the pressing needs of the victims of flash floods, the St. Philippine Duchesne’s Ormoc Workers Foundation, Inc. (SPDOWFI) was organized. In addition,  the International Society of the Sacred Heart pulled their resources together to offer help for the rehabilitation of poor victims.

Ormoc City is one of the oldest towns and the pioneer city of Leyte, in southern Philippines.  It is a coastal city and due to its geographical location, Ormoc serves as a catch-basin of the rain water coming from the mountains of the province.

For the past years the SPDOWFI survived through donations from donors and friends of the Sacred Heart.   In 2005, The SPDOWFI was able to provide a resettlement area for 40 families who were not able to avail of the government’s housing program.  These families are now settled within a one hectare compound called Barangay Luna.  Half of the property was allocated for the housing project and the other half has been converted into a herbal organic garden and a learning center for children.

Announcing the "KOR LFR Projects" Series

The library in a school in Ormoc, Philippines

A lot of exciting things are happening in the KOR and LFR right now and we are very excited to share these infos with our friends and readers! 

The KOR LFR has always been engaged in socio-civic activities that support and enliven the ideals of Dr Jose Rizal. We hold our fund-raising activities with the ultimate objective of helping alleviate the lives of our countrymen in the Philippines through our projects.

In the coming weeks and months, this website will be featuring a series of articles revolving around a common theme, beginning with our first Series on "KOR LFR Projects". The "Projects" Series will introduce to our friends and readers the different projects that the KOR and LFR are currently engaged in, or will engage into, in the near future. Every now and then, we will also highlight smaller projects that we did in the past to show the range of activities that our organisation engages in.

Of course, we will also provide information on how you could involve yourself if you want to support the current project. So, keep on visiting the website to learn more!