Helping the people of Bicol start over

NOTHING can be more devastating than a strong typhoon that will wipe out not just physical infrastructure such as homes and other establishments but also hopeful lives.

When Typhoon Ulysses hit the town of Bato in Camarines Sur, what was difficult aside from the physical rebuilding was the emotional anguish of starting over from practically zero.

But what made people of Bato bear the sorrow of being left homeless by Typhoon Ulysses and rise from the difficulties was when a faith-based non-profit international youth and children’s organization called Awana Philippines initiated a project called Project Agapay to help build houses for the people of Bato, Camarines Sur and start over.

Awana Philippines has been helping families in Bato, Camarines pick up the pieces after Typhoon Ulysses ravaged their homes. They were one of the earliest organizations to respond to the community by sending relief goods. However, upon learning their condition, they thought of a long-term solution to help the families who have lost their homes in rebuilding their lives.

The construction of the houses started last February 3 in Barangay San Vicente, Zone 1. In over a month, about seven houses were completed and turned over to the beneficiaries. More families received their new houses in the succeeding months.

Just recently, Hanabishi Appliances partnered with Awana Philippines, where Hanabishi provided each of the recipients of the houses with a rice cooker, water heater, single burner electric stove, and stand fan to make sure that the beneficiaries have the necessary appliances in their new households.

More than being sympathetic, we want to take action to a call for help, especially in the time of pandemic, knowing that there are families whose conditions are made even more difficult by natural disasters. It’s been months since Typhoon Ulysses hit Bicol. We hope that these donations would help them as they begin to rebuild their life,” Cherish Ong-Chua, Vice President for Finance and Marketing at Hanabishi Appliances, told FrontpagePH.com.

In the past, Hanabishi Appliances also joined GMA Kapuso Foundation, ABS-CBN’s Pantawid Pag-Ibig Project and Eat Bulaga in their charity projects. Since the pandemic, the appliance manufacturer has been making donations to hospitals and local government units as well in support of initiatives against COVID-19.

During these challenging times, it is important that we come together and find ways to help one another,” Ong-Chua said.

For more information on Awana Philippines, please visit www.awanaphilippines.org.

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