Camiguin

Vacation

During Holy Week and a little longer, Mäge and I are going to Camiguin to go diving. What used to be simple is now more challenging due to the pandemic: the resort where we used to stay is closed, and the dive shop no longer exists. But our dive guide, Dondon, is still there and he has time for us. After some organizational problems (the tanks cannot be filled because the compressor from the rental shop is broken), we can get the necessary equipment from another dive shop, and Dondon is also being accepted and paid as a freelance diver. We really hope that this will help him to find a new job.

The feeling of diving, the ease and tranquility, and the excitement of discovering small or even bigger things is indescribable after the last 2 years. We are enjoying every minute! In between, we visit friends and people supported or previously supported by Batulong, like Dondon's brother who needed a so-called ureteral stent to secure urine flow and prevent infections in case of kidney stone problems. Inserting and removing the stent after a few weeks is quite expensive, and Batulong was able to help there.

We also visited the boy who had heart surgery 3 years ago. It's so nice to see how well he is doing now. Although he missed a few school years due to his illness, he will start as a secondary school student in August when he turns 15.

Since our dive guide lives near this boy, we also spent time together with his family. When he asked us about the requirements for college admission, it turned out that his wife's younger brother needs support for his college education. It's only a small amount - transportation costs and additional expenses for projects, school materials, and uniforms. The actual tuition fees at that university are free. So, in our eyes, the small help can make a big difference for this talented student.

The time is too short, and we hope to come back here in the fall. Now, we still have one more week of work waiting for us in Cagayan de Oro.