Welcome to the oDesk Community! Connect here with fellow buyers, providers, and oDesk staff. Please review our Usage Policy.

oDesk Sends Best Wishes to Buyers and Providers in the Philippines

In the last few days the Philippines capital, Metro Manila, and other nearby areas have been hit by severe storms and floods (see coverage on Google News). Many Filipino oDesk users have been affected by this disaster and some have even lost their homes and the means to do their oDesk work.

We send our best thoughts and well wishes to those affected.

We wanted to make everyone aware of this situation. If your providers or buyers have been affected by this severe weather they may not be able to do their assigned work or get in touch to advise you of their situation. We would therefore like to ask for your patience during this difficult time.

You may even want to send them a note of encouragement. They will appreciate it!

Additionally, if you would like to contribute to The Philippine National Red Cross that is providing local aid to those in need, you may do so at their website here.

Should you have any further concerns, please contact Customer Support.

Vote Result

++++++++++
Score: 10.0, Votes: 12
Thanks...

In behalf of oDesk's Filipino Providers, I would want to thank everyone for wishing us the best. During these stressful times, we need prayers from everyone. Sad but we all hope that things will get well as soon as possible.

Thank you oDesk.

@GWEN LACHICA: HELP PLEASE.

I just signed up as an ODesk Provider two days ago. I'm currently reviewing for the oDesk Readiness Test but my question is not about that. What is the best way to receive payment from oDesk to our country -- the Philippines. I'm thinking of Western Union Money Transfer instead of wire transfer to my bank account -- minimum $30 fee is quite steep. How do you receive your payment? Please help me on this concern. Thank you.

oDesk does not offer Western

oDesk does not offer Western Union payments - and do not accept them from any buyer.

I suggest either connecting your bank account to PayPal (if possible) or signing up for a Payoneer debit MasterCard. Those are the two most popular methods for withdrawing earnings.

Jacqui - Forum Moderator | Help Center | oDesk blog | Contact Support | Vote on Ideas

@JPITTENGER: To the rescue....

Again. Thank you very much for your answer to my query. I'm quite green to this way of working and most of my foreign employers in the US pay through corporate payroll. I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to let me know.

Sincerely appreciated...

To all oDesk staff and management,

I am in no way directly affected by this calamity but I just want to acknowledge that your efforts are sincerely appreciated and I believe even by the rest of the Filipino providers here. I know you would do the same with the providers of other countries as well if that time comes.

very nicely done...

Odesk proves once more that they are not just a money-making machine.. and in the virtual world, it is nice to know that we still have something like human compassion Smile

Read the news lately

It is very disheartening. I just wish everything comes back to normality very soon.

Thank you for that Pothi...

Pothi,

Realistically speaking, it might take a long time... the damage goes even beyond losing belongings, homes, etc. But it is my personal conviction, that for everything there is a reason and there is a God out there who is in control. I pray for comfort for all of those who have lost their loved ones.

Again, thanks Pothi for wishing us well ...

What the Bible says...

Let me share the Bible's view point on what has happened...

God is not causing the earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, droughts, and volcanic eruptions that are so often in today’s news. He is not using these to bring punishment on certain peoples. To a large extent, these are caused by natural forces that have been operating since the earth’s creation. The Bible foretold great earthquakes and food shortages for our day, but that does not mean that either God or Jesus is responsible for them, any more than a meteorologist is responsible for the weather that he forecasts. Because these are occurring along with all the other things foretold in the composite sign of the conclusion of this system of things, they are part of the evidence that the blessings of God’s Kingdom are near. - Luke 21:11, 31.

Therefore, to conclude that 'God is in control' isn't an excuse from the error that human made. Whether it is a calamity caused by bad weather, still, man is liable to his own wrong doing, and it is not right to blame God for all these, for He is a God of Love. Smile

From our grateful hearts.....

Thank you, odesk…..and thank you to the Buyers of Filipino Providers for reaching out. This gesture adds up to the encouragement for us to stay firm and face the future with a grateful heart, grateful that we are alive. It might be difficult but we Filipinos are resilient to challenges like this one. After all, our talents, skills and love for our jobs are forever instilled.

God bless!

Verena(http://odeskmommy.wordpress.com)

I love oDesk

I will remain loyal because you CARE! In times of trouble, we need help...not only financially, but also emotionally. And oDesk captured both. Love oDesk forever!

A warm thank you to oDesk

I would like to extend my warm thank you to oDesk for your wishes and heartfelt encouragement. I have felt it so much; your sincerity and support has embraced us. And also inspires us to continue. I'm not directly affected by the incident but it makes me very sad when I've learn to witness the situations of my fellow Filipinos. I would like to help them but I'm not wealthy enough to support them in their needs, yet I believe that my prayers will help them to stand up again.

Currently, there is another tropical storm in the country, I'm deeply wishing for the safeness of all people. God Bless us!

Thank you, oDesk!

I was surprised to receive that note in my inbox, almost brought me to tears. Thank you so much oDesk for caring for us. Indeed, it is tough when you lose your material possessions but it is through caring friends that we know all is not lost. We can still find a way to get back somehow though it may take time.

And yes, God is in control and He loves all of us so much! Please continue to pray for everyone affected by this tragedy. Evacuation centers are packed. They all need our help so let's do our part in providing assistance to our fellow Pinoys. God bless the Philippines! Smile

Thank you oDesk!

I'm proud to be a part of this community because of what you did!

Thank you oDesk

Thank you for your concern oDesk. My family was affected by the flood and your message really made me feel that I made the right choice in staying here.Thank you so much.

thank you

Thank you oDesk for the kind gesture.

I have not been personally affected, but my heart bleeds for my countrymen who have lost shelter, livelihood and other basic necessities due to two recent typhoons. I volunteered to a group and helped in rescuing and distributing food. I saw with my own eyes how they suffered and almost lost hope after the storm. There's definitely a lot of things to do to bring back their life to normal.

Thanks to all the nations that extended help to our country. God bless you.

Thank you odesk

Thank you odesk for that warm and sincere gesture.

tags/REL_20091118 built on 2009/11/19 01:27