MONEY raised from a Filipino feast in Dilton Marsh at the end of last year has built a community centre in a poor, remote village in the Philippines.
Local couple Leny and Mike Davies have been in the Philippines building the community centre in the poor mountain village of Abocado, Lison Valley, bringing much-needed facilities to the residents. The centre was funded by the sum of £1,397 which was raised at ‘A Feast of Filipino Food’ in Dilton Marsh in December, when a three-course meal was served up to almost 100 people. The Lions Club of Westbury also made a contribution. Leny said, “All the money we raised from that lunch went to the community centre in the Philipines. We managed to build a centre with a concreted floor and corrugated roofing. The ground floor is open space for community events and gatherings, and the upstairs is a learning centre for children. We then bought a piece of land for a basketball court and playground next to the centre. “We paid a few skilled people, and then with the help of the community we didn’t pay much for labour, just for the materials. We could stretch the money by renting a chainsaw, getting a permit from the town council, and getting wood from the forest.” The money also bought some piglets, which the villagers can use to breed. Leny, whose home city of Pagadian is around two hours away from Abocado, had previously visited the village with her family where she saw the deprivation in the community and the need for a new centre – which is the hub of the community for religious gatherings, education, and other community events. She said, “The village is two hours from the city in a 4×4 truck to get up into the mountains, then it’s a 40-minute walk to get to the actual village. All these people are deprived being so far from the town and city. There’s no electricity, and they get their water from a natural spring.” Now, the people of the village are delighted with their new community centre. Leny said, “They are so happy, the children are so happy – and the neighbouring villages are jealous! It’s the most amazing feeling I ever had, when people think God sent you there to help them, as there is nobody there to help them. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without the help of friends and everyone who supported us and sponsored us, so a big thank you to them.”
