23/12/2013
To our international donors,
It is with utmost love and gratitude that we write to you today. We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for contributing to our relief efforts for Typhoon Haiyan. Through the kindness of our international donors (that's you!), we raised a grand total of $17,750.
Here's how we allocated the funds we received from you:
$8,093 went towards purchasing relief goods immediately following Typhoon Haiyan--sardines, rice, noodles, crackers, vitamins, and toiletries to help sustain the survivors during the most crucial times. These goods were organized and packed by community volunteers. We ensured that they were shipped via reputable carriers and that trustworthy people on the ground received the goods and distribute d them across the hardest hit places in Samar, Leyte, Capiz,and Northern Cebu.
$2,326 is going towards rehabilitation efforts for Basay, Samar, a joint effort between San Antonio Relief Efforts and the Franciscan communities of Samar. Basay was as badly hit as Tacloban, having been ravaged by the storm surge a total of four times. But due to the unequal amount of media coverage, most funds have been allocated to Tacloban. To help the communities get back on their feet, the Franciscan seminarians are leading short-term crop farming efforts as they replant staple crops like coconut trees. As we continue to be involved in these efforts, we'll keep you abreast of our progress.
$1,713 went towards plane tickets and pocket money for 15 survivors from the hardest hit areas. Some of them were in Manila to collect food and supplies to bring back to their families in the devastated areas, and we helped them find their way back to their communities.
http://expat-repat.tumblr.com/post/67963655678/the-ones-who-wanted-to-go-back
$1,200 went to the hardest hit areas around Coron, Palawan via Tao Philippines' Relief Efforts. Tao Philippines is a wonderful eco-tourism company and the ideal partner to reach Northern Coron. They have been regular travelers to these remote islands and have already integrated with the communities. They are helping not just to distribute food, but materials for rebuilding houses, schools, and boats, so that the survivors can get back on their feet as soon as possible. https://www.facebook.com/haiyanreliefnorthernpalawan
$932 went to Negrense Volunteers for Change and their Peter Project. These funds were used to buy two motorized fishing boats for affected families. One of these boats is named "Global Friendship" boat in honor of all of you from abroad who have donated to the cause. https://www.facebook.com/nvcfoundation
$1,744 is going to Art Relief Mobile Kitchen's efforts. They served hot meals to survivors who arrived in Manila via C130, then took their efforts to Tacloban, where they have been serving up to 2,000 meals per day to the survivors. They are now buying supplies for a permanent community kitchen, and are slowly transitioning the work over to the mothers and teenagers in the community for a more lasting impact. https://www.facebook.com/artreliefmobilekitchen
$1,744 went to survivors in Bohol who were struck twice in one month from natural calamities. The funds went directed to Father Val Pinlac who is leading relief and rehabilitation efforts in the area.
We are continuing to stay active with rehabilitation efforts, particularly for Basay, Samar. This is just the beginning of a very long road to recovery. But with your help, we have been able to take the first steps. In this holiday season, know that you have helped uplift many Filipinos' lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Sincerely,
The San Antonio Parish Yolanda/Haiyan Relief Efforts
For my sister Lexi’s 23rd birthday, a few of us went over to Camp Aguinaldo in Manila. Here, survivors who flew in on the C130s to escape the devastation and scarcity of Tacloban were met with...
