Ian “Gan” Power with some of the locals that he assisted with the money raised.
WHEN Ian “Gan” Power of Tramore Kettlebell Club saw the devastation that had been caused in the Philippines by Typhoon Yolanda, he felt compelled to do something. The typhoon, which occurred last November, killed at least 6,201 people and caused 1.5 billion dollars’ worth of damage. “I just wanted to help out in any way that I could” Ian said. “So I thought the best thing to do would be ask other members of the growing Kettlebell community in Ireland to all life together. A few phone calls were made and I couldn’t believe the response I received – everyone wanted to help out.”
In Tramore, people who had only just joined the Kettlebell club joined forces with seasoned members for a punishing hour long Kettlebell lift. They filled out their sponsorship cards and with the help of friends and family members across Waterford, as well as other Kettlebell clubs across Ireland, raised an impressive €5000.
With the sponsorship money raised, Ian decided to travel to the Philippines to deliver the benefits of the money himself. “After touching down in Tacloban airport, the doors of the plane opened and the first thing I noticed was the smell in the air.” Ian said. “I wasn’t sure if was due to poor sanitation or possibly the smell of bodies decomposing. I looked around and all I saw was trees uprooted and debris been swept into piles, the roof of the airport was like a patch work quilt cover which was torn apart from the super typhoon. I was overwhelmed to see extent of the damage. It was like a bomb had gone off damaging everything in its path” This was nothing compared to what Ian would see when he drove through the city. “Churches, houses, public buildings and schools were heavily damaged – twisted metal and the remains of buildings everywhere” Ian said.
Ian hired a Jeepney to transport and purchase the goods that would help those in need. “I bought 200kg of rice, tinned food, matches, candles, soap and other essentials. I was advised to get these items to make life easier for the families.” Ian said. “I then made my way to a local builder’s provider and bought nails, timber and corrugated sheets so people could start repairing their homes. With the money left over I decided to buy 10 generators and fuel to provide power to some of these houses.”
The welcome and thanks that Ian and his wife Chen got from people is something that Ian says he’ll take with him and will never forget. “I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who lifted and donated and made this happen to help the victims of Yolanda.” Ian said. “I wish I could express the thanks I received from them in words here. Finally, a big thank you to my wife Chen who helped with the translations and supported me throughout and to Don, our host on the trip, without whom this would not have been possible.”
