Philippine-Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) c./o. Yoly Esguerra pmpsecretariat@yahoo.

com Aachen, March, 28th, 2014 Dear Yoly, dear PMPI secretariat team, It is more than two months since my visit to the Philippines but the memories of this remarkable opportunity to get to know more about your country are still very present. It was indeed a remarkable experience and I want to thank you very much, also on behalf of Elisabeth Bially and Elmar No, for your contribution to making this visit so meaningful. Please also extend our thanks to everybody who helped arranging all the enlightening visits and meetings and to the members of the National Coordinating Committee. This visit was special in many ways: Experiencing the plight of the people in the Yolanda affected communities was something I will never forget. On the other side seeing the optimism, the energy and the spirit of solidarity of the same people who are facing such a tragedy is encouraging and something to share with people in many other countries, including Germany. Learning more about the Philippine-Misereor Partnership Network was certainly special. I have experienced the PMPI as a remarkable venue for lively discussions on topics that are very important to us too; but also as a network of solidarity. Witnessing the Yolanda affected communities in Capiz, Guiuan and Manikani and seeing the assistance provided through PMPI was a touching and encouraging experience. Thank you very much for making all this possible. As Elmar No has already shared with you, after returning from the Philippines, I discussed with our board and with the members of the Bishops Conferences Commission for MISEREOR which countryto focus on during our next Lenten Campaign in 2015. After Uganda this year and having pre-selected Brazil for the 2016 Lenten Campaign, it was obvious that we should have a focus in 2015 on the Asia-Pacific Region. It did not take much discussion to agree that the Philippines should be the partner-country for our Lenten Campaign in 2015. Having experienced the kindness, the optimism and positive energy of the Philippine people but also the many challenges people in your country are facing, I am very happy about this decision. This will provide us with yet another opportunity to learn more about the Philippines. The theme will be on stewardship of creation and we will spend the coming weeks discussing how to address it, which projects to look at and whom to invite as guests during lent in 2015. We very much hope for your cooperation in preparing this upcoming lenten campaign. I am sure the PMPI will have an important role there, as it is quite unique how the PMPI is providing a platform for bringing MISEREOR-partner organizations together for mutual exchange with many others on vital issues concerning not only the Philippine but all of us. Once again, thank you for your hospitality and Gods blessing for your good work. With kind regards

Msgr. Pirmin Spiegel (Director General)