VOA常速英语2013--美国的菲律宾护士设法帮助台风幸存者（在线收听）

Philippine Nurses in US Seek Help for Typhoon Survivors 美国的菲律宾护士设法帮助台风幸存者

HOUSTON, TEXAS — Nearly 200,000 Filipinos work as nurses in hospitals and clinics across the United States. They, and many other Philippine Americans, are doing what  they can to help people in the storm-ravaged region on the other side of the world.  VOA's Greg Flakus has more from Houston.

The Filipiniana Restaurant is a popular gathering spot in Houston for Filipinos and the many Americans who like their food.

休斯顿的菲利普尼亚餐厅对于菲律宾人和喜欢这里食物的许多美国人来说是一个十分受欢迎的聚会地点。

But when business slows, manager Carlos Chavez and his friends keep an eye on news reports from the Philippines.

但当生意开始冷清的时候,经理卡洛斯·查韦斯和他的朋友们会关注菲律宾的新闻报道。

"It is unimaginable and, the only thing is, sometimes you cry, and it is kind of hard to think of what happened," said Chavez.

“很不可思议,唯一的事情是,有时你会为之落泪,很难想象发生了什么,”查韦斯说道。

The restaurant is hosting fundraising events to help people left homeless by the storm.

而这餐厅正在举办筹款活动帮助因为风暴无家可归的人们。

Fundraising for victims is also a priority for the Philippine Nurses Association of America, one of the largest Philippine organizations in the United States.

为灾民募捐也是美国其中一个最大的菲律宾组织，菲律宾护士协会正在考虑的事情。

Members from the Houston area are also planning fundraising events.

来自休斯顿地区的成员们也在计划筹款活动。

Pam Windle is the organization's regional vice president.

帕姆·温德尔是这一组织的区域副总裁。

"A lot of people are interested in joining us, and a lot of people are wanting to give money because we are trying to donate the money to back home, to send some money  to help them out," said Windle.

“很多人有兴趣加入我们,很多人都想出钱,因为我们正在努力捐赠钱支持我们的国家,送一些钱来帮助他们度过危机,”温德尔说道。

One event is a walk in a park where each participant is funded by donors.

其中一件善举是在一个公园中漫步,而这里的每位参与者是由捐助者资助。

Even though the organizers are not from the stricken area, some, like Gina Shankar, have close friends there.

尽管像吉娜·桑卡尔这样的一些组织者不是来自受灾地区,但在那里也有亲密的朋友。

It took her four days to contact her friends in Tacloban.

她用了4天时间联系上在塔克洛班市的朋友。

"They are doing fine, but they are really in need of food and the place is really a mess," said Shankar.

“他们都很好,但真的很需要食物而且这个地方真是一团糟,” 桑卡尔说道。

Of foreign-born nurses working in U.S. health facilities, nearly one third are from the Philippines.

在美国医疗设施工作的外国护士中近三分之一是来自菲律宾。

Pam Windle said they cannot help but think of those in need back home.

帕姆·温德尔称他们无法给予帮助但会为那些需要回家的人着想。

"But it is so hard to go home because it is about 18 to 20 hours flight and plus you can't go to the province unless you have the military people who have to help  you," said Windle.

“但是回家真是难上加难,因为这涉及18到20个小时的飞机旅程,再加上你不能直接过去，除非有军方的人来帮助你,”温德尔说道。

She said, in the months ahead, medical services and personnel will still be in great need in the disaster zone and many Philippine nurses plan to return as volunteers.

她称在未来几个月里, 在灾区仍将需要很多医疗服务和救助人员而且许多菲律宾护士计划作为志愿者返回。