Philippines: Start Again Project

By Kat Bulan

What seemed to be an impossible task, this past month has been full of blessings, providence, and miracles.

This aim of Start Again Project is to help the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan to start again with their lives. Currently, we Filipino Youth for a United World (Y4UW) are doing several projects for Palo, Leyte, one of the towns that was severely affected by the typhoon.

1. School supplies: We gave school supplies to around 2,000 students attending several public grade school and high schools. We also carried out several children animation programme in order to help them forget the tragedy they experienced. We are still gathering funds for supplies kits for around 500 students.
2. Feeding Programme: A week-long feeding programme is being conducted in several schools. We realized that the students go to school without any lunch packs. It is difficult for them to concentrate on their studies having an empty stomach.
3. Classrooms: We are also rebuilding classrooms because most of the roofs were damaged during the typhoon. While the reconstruction is going on, we set up temporary new classrooms.
4. Whole school libraries have been destroyed and hence we are gathering books in order to reorganize these libraries.
5. Cemetery: In one community, a mass grave was made for all those who perished in that area. We are helping them build a memorial for the families of these victims, so that they can get over their loss, and start again with their lives.
6. Water Supply: We also helping set-up a water system in one community as up to now, the still do not have a working water system as this was hit by the typhoon.

During our last trip, we were around nine Youth for a United World and spent our weekend there. It was a great experience to be able to spend time with the children, listen to their experiences and help them deal with their sufferings. Many of them said that they were happy that we personally went to them, not just to give material goods but to actually listen and even for a little while, they forgot their suffering.

We also had a chance to meet with the bishop and he gave us his blessing and encouraged us to keep doing what we are doing. He reminded us to do all of this out of love.

In March 14-17, we will be going with around 30 young people, with those who are staying in the gen school. Also, we are working with the Youth for a United World of Austria and Ecuador, and they are doing what they can from that part of the world. We need all the help and support as this is a big undertaking! Up to now, even more than a hundred days after the typhoon, there is still much more to be done.

Karelle’s impression on Facebook (www.facebook.com/StartAgainProject):

Before leaving: “Only a day after coming back from the Visayas visiting six different towns for The Noche Buena Project, we immediately started planning out our next steps. We knew we couldn't stop there. After bringing back the Christmas spirit for more than 1000 families affected by the typhoon (with the help of many kind individuals and groups), we had to help them get back on their feet. After throwing out ideas at home at the dining table, at random get togethers, hangouts, and meetings with The Noche Buena Project crew, the START AGAIN PROJECT came to life.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAlqodV1eLM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbQwY9eSHAQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA8kyN4Zey0