American Express bring books and computers to a barrio

Ian Fish, American Express International (AMEX) vice president and country manager, recalls that back in England when he was a child, he was always brought to school by car. So the thought of school children walking barefoot for two-and-a-half hours to attend their classes is a totally foreign concept for him. "I simply could not imagine it," he says. But this is the reality in Mayoyao.

Mayoyao is a remote municipality in the province of Ifugao. It takes almost as long to get there from Baguio as it does to get from Manila to Baguio. "Because the roads are so bad," Doreen Meyers explains. Doreen came to the Philippines as a US Peace Corps volunteer two-and-a-half years ago. A native of Long Island, New York, she came straight out of college. She was hoping to be assigned in South America, but after waiting for nine months, she was finally sent to the Philippines. "I did not choose Mayoyao," she says, "it was chosen for me." But after her two-year contract with the Peace Corps ended in May this year, she chose to stay on. She had fallen in love with Mayoyao.

"I like the simple lifestyle," she says. "My friends think it’s full of adventure, but actually, it’s rather boring." No, there are no cell sites in Mayoyao. Doreen used to be a very impatient person. In Mayoyao, she learned all about patience. She started a livelihood project – hog-raising. "It’s something the local people are familiar with," she says. She noticed the poor conditions in the local schools. She realized the need for a public library. And so she started searching for corporate donors.

"I sent out many letters, all of which were either unanswered or declined," she relates, "but American Express gave a positive response and because of their commitment to this project, we’re finally able to begin some very important work here."

In behalf of the American Express Foundation, Ian Fish presented Mayoyao mayor, Ronnie Lumayna, with a check in the amount of $8,000, for the establishment of a public library in Mayoyao. The donation will be used to help renovate a portion of the old Mayoyao municipal hospital, which will be transformed into a large open room spacious enough for a public library.

"The municipal hospital is one of the oldest buildings in Mayoyao, dating back to the 1950s," says Rep. Solomon Chungalao, from the lone district of Ifugao Province, who witnessed the donation. The renovation will consist mostly of fixing the windows, doors, ceiling, and floorboards of the old building. The funds will also be used to purchase books, tables and other miscellaneous items necessary for the library. In addition to the cash grant, AMEX Philippines also donated used PCs and printers as well as desks, chairs, and filing cabinets.

"We also started a book drive," Fish reports, "soliciting for book donations for the library." Doreen’s family back in Long Island started their own book drive and their garage in now full of book donations from friends, neighbors, and the local schools.

"Our only problem now is how to transport all these books from the States to Mayoyao," Doreen says. Doreen is also thinking of soliciting books from local publishers who might be willing to donate locally-published books that are better suited for the needs of the school children in Mayoyao.

Fish is quite impressed with Doreen’s initiative and drive. "I don’t think I would do this," he says, referring to Doreen’s personal sacrifice and selflessness. In truth, Fish is himself a dedicated advocate.

"Through the American Express Foundation, the company donates a specified percentage of its profits to noteworthy projects," Fish explains. Aside from the Mayoyao library project, another major donation made this year by AMEX was to the Philippine Eagle Foundation for the restoration of the eagles’ cages. "They need these cages that are large enough for them to be able to fly, even in such an enclosed space," Fish observes.

American Express, which opened its first Asian office in Manila in 1916, is the eighth oldest American company in the Philippines. Founded in 1850, this diversified travel, financial services and network company is a leader in the charge and credit cards and travelers cheques industry. AMEX is also engaged in financial planning, investment products, insurance and international banking.

In the past, AMEX Foundation made donations for the preservation work on San Sebastian Church in Manila. "Did you know that the San Sebastian Church is one of only two steel churches in the world? The other one is located in Costa Rica," Fish says. "Unfortunately, steel rusts."

The AMEX Foundation also made donations for the preservation of the petroglyphs in Angono, Rizal. "We support projects that are focused on education, conservation, and preservation," Fish remarks. Ifugao representative Solomon Chungalao hopes that AMEX will soon be able to give much-needed support for the preservation of the centuries-old rice terraces in his province. "Unlike the terraces in Banaue which are carved from the mountainside, the terraces in Mayoyao are stone-walled with riprap," Chungalao relates. "There is an urgent need to restore the irrigation system, to bring water down from the mountain springs to the terraces. When planting rice proves unprofitable for the farmers, they are tempted to resort to the more profitable cultivation of marijuana."

"We hope to raise awareness for these worthy causes," Fish remarks. For Doreen, her motivation stems from the heart. She simply loves Mayoyao. But she’s had to face certain realities. Since she is no longer with the Peace Corps, she has had to earn a living, teaching English to Koreans residing in Baguio. She has plans to go back to school, to take her masters in International Development. In college, she majored in Wildlife Management. She’ll be spending this Christmas with her family in Long Island. Then she’ll be back in January to focus all her energies on the realization of the Mayoyao library project. "When I say I’m going home," she says, "I mean Mayoyao."