RMCC Alumnus 23847 Wesley Tse – provides expertise in Philippines Disaster
CALGARY – Royal Military College of Canada alumnus 23847 Wesley Tse (Civil Engineering, 2008) returned earlier this week from three weeks in the Philippines after being mobilized by Engineering Ministries International as part of its disaster response to Typhoon Haiyan.
While others were still making New Year’s resolutions, Tse, who started volunteering with Engineering Ministries International while still a student at RMCC, was already en route to Tacloban, the hardest hit area which suffered the majority of the estimated 6000+ fatalities. “I had the opportunity to go and make a positive difference in someone’s life” says Tse, “how could I not go?”
Tse and another Engineering Ministries International volunteer served in partnership with a Samaritan’s Purse International Relief organization WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) team from January 1-23 to assess water situations in devastated communities in and around the city of Tacloban, maintain temporary water treatment systems, and select new clean water point locations where even temporary water was not available.
Heading back to his regular job as a Project Engineer with Ledcor Construction, Tse says: “I’d like to say ‘mission accomplished,’ but the reality is that the road to rebuild is still long. With the remarkable optimism and strong character of the Filipino people, though, there’s no doubt that this city will arise stronger than before. As the post-storm’s unofficial slogan boldly affirms: TINDOG TACLOBAN! [Rise up, Tacloban!]”
Engineering Ministries International continues to mobilize design professionals alongside its partners – the Filipino Church and local and international relief agencies – to provide services throughout relief and recovery phases. For now, another Engineering Ministries International volunteer – Michael Fryer from Sechelt, BC – has taken Tse’s place.
Donations to eMi Canada’s relief efforts can be made through emicanada.org/donate .
