Mike Nacar（現地コーディネーター）

We have this positive trait in which we joke around and laugh. Also the reason why suicide is very less despite the poverty level in most families are way low. That is why whenever you go around Cebu you will always be helped by people when you ask for directions and when you ask for english translations.

These days due to the recent earthquake and flood. As i have said earlier people are struggling to live day by day. How much more if you take away their house. Their belongings that they worked hard, their car in which they saved 10years to get it. And much worse, when you lost your head of the family in which he was the only one who was working to provide for a family of 7 people. It's very devastating to see and hear these kinds of news. Christmas may never be the same again due to this. But despite that people here in Cebu will always try their best to live happily and put a smile on their face everyday even if they are struggling.

訳

私たちには、冗談を言い合って笑えるという前向きな気質があります。だからこそ、多くの家庭が貧困の中にあっても、自殺が少ない理由の一つになっているんだと思います。セブを歩くと、道を聞いたり英語を尋ねたりすれば、誰でも気さくに助けてくれるのはそのためです。

最近は地震や洪水の影響で、人々は本当に「今日を生きるので精一杯」という状況です。そこから家を失ったり、一生懸命働いて手に入れた持ち物や、10年かけて買った車を失ったり…。さらに、家族7人を支えていた一家の大黒柱を亡くした家庭もあります。そういったニュースを聞くのは、本当に胸が痛みます。

今年のクリスマスは、きっと例年のようにはいかないでしょう。

それでもセブの人たちは、どんなに大変でも、毎日明るく振る舞い、笑顔で過ごそうと努力しています。