A Girl’s Story of Loss and Hope

After Typhoon Odette brought her family’s house down, Precious, her parents and siblings are now enjoying the warmth and comfort of their house that was built to resist natural hazards such as storms, typhoons, floods, and earthquakes.

Watch her story here:

Precious’ parents Barney and Eunice shared that in the past two months, their new house withstood the heavy rain and strong winds that the rainy season brought in. Their CGI roofing was nailed and braced securely and was able to hold out against the wind. Their marine plywood walls were also braced for the wind and its material protected them from the rain.

Since #TyphoonOdette flew their roof off and took their bamboo walls down, Eunice said that they have never felt safe and secure until they moved into their new house.

“It rained heavily last night but we were confident that we would be safe because of how sturdy our house is”, she added.

The family was sheltered in the latter’s mother’s house after the typhoon until CARE and National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK) came to their barangay to support affected families in their efforts to repair or rebuild their houses.

Through the Immediate and Comprehensive Response for Communities Affected by Typhoon Rai in the Philippines, they were able to access shelter repair kits. The barangay also recommended their family be assisted in repairing their house through mutual help or the bayanihan system. Volunteer carpenters and other members of the community helped in the repair.

This is usually done when some members of the community such as the elderly, the sick, and persons with disabilities are not able to repair or rebuild their houses on their own. Barney said that his epilepsy prevented him from doing the construction, hence, he was thankful that his community helped his family.

He and his wife are presently managing a small sari-sari store and internet vending business in their house. They will also be supported by the response through livelihood enhancement training and addition to capital.

This response is being implemented by a consortium of partners including CARE, PKKK, ACCORD Incorporated, Action Against Hunger Philippines, and Plan International Philippines with support from the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid.