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CARTS Project Report

CARTS Police Cadets Project.

inspection oct. 21, 2009 001

Police Cadets Doing Landslide Recovery Work

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Chaplain Benton leading training at CARTS

One of the hidden victims of disaster is recovery workers afterwards. We had the wonderful opportunity to develop a relationship with many of these people. One such group is the CARTS (Cordillera Administrative Region Training School) for police cadets. They had to set aside from their normal studies to work over 12 hours a day digging out landslides and search for victims. This is a very difficult job and one that, sadly, often does not get appreciated. We were able to work with a number of doctors, businessmen, and churches in providing vitamins, facemasks, gloves, and other needed items for their work. After their digging work was done, they needed to return to classes, but the memory lives on. For many, this was their first face-to-face encounter with the recovery of the dead. We were invited to speak to them on November 2nd. The day was divided up into 4 major sessions, each about 90 minutes. The first session was crisis intervention, where cadets were given the opportunity to share their experiences and discover meaning in this situation. The 2nd through 4th sessions were to help cadets and instructors in providing emergent crisis care. Since many of these cadets will become law enforcement officers who regularly meet people undergoing crises, this training should be a great help. We provided some Crisis Care manuals from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board Disaster Relief Program, and most of the discussion was led by Chaplain Benton of the same group. We provided merienda in the morning and afternoon, while CARTS provided a wonderful lunch for our team. Follow-up medical screening is planned for November 10th since a large number of cadets are suffering from coughs and other similar symptoms after the disaster relief work. Thanks to Colonel Paredo Jr., and Major Benitez in inviting us to be partnered with their work at CARTS. Approximately 221 cadets were helped and trained, along with several staff.

Thanks Charlie!!

Crisis Care Chaplain

Crisis Care Chaplain, Charlie Benton

Chaplain Charlie Benton, of Virginia Baptist Disaster Relief,  was able to join us in Baguio to work in providing crisis care intervention for those who suffered with the ravages of Typhoon Pepeng, which left hundreds dead, and thousands with destroyed or damaged homes. He also did training with our team and other groups so that we can provide effective crisis care in the future.   The following is an abridged list of the activities that we did together.

The following shows list of activities:

1.  October 31             Medical Disaster Mission, Coroz, Tublay

-180 total people served

-85 received medical care  and crisis counseling

-40 received dental care and crisis counseling

-70 children did songs, games, and craft time.

-5 teachers received training in crisis care intervention

2.  November 2          At CARTS (Cordillera Administrative Region Training School) for police cadets.

-90 minute intervention for 221 cadets

-4.5 hours of crisis counseling training for 241 individuals

3.  November 3 and 5         Student Training, Philippine Baptist Theological

Seminary (Part 1)

-30 students

-3 hours training in Crisis Care

4.  November 4            Teacher Training, Union School International (Empathic listening)

-16 students

-60 minutes

5.  November 5            International Red Cross, Baguio Chapter training

-14 students

-2 hours in Crisis Care Training

This was a wonderful time to learn, fellowship, and help people (who, sadly, have suffered so much during this time).

What’s Up November 2009

Here are a few things that are happening in the next 4 weeks.

-November 10.  Medical Screening for police cadets at CARTS (Cordillera Administrative Region Training School).

-November 14.  Crisis Care Counseling and Medical/Dental Mission. In Belong, Tublay (Benguet Province).

-November 27.  Medical/Disaster Relief Mission. Bagulin, La Union