Thank you for your good deeds and good heart

More than 365,000 people in the Philippines have been helped by Tearfund since one of the strongest typhoons ever slammed into the country two years ago.

Tearfund teams, and those of our partners, have focused on restoring shelter and livelihoods under Project Shield.

What do Filipinos think of the help they’ve received? 

Nita Obien lost hope when her house was destroyed because she couldn’t afford to rebuild but your generosity helped us restore both: ‘Sincerely and heartily, thank you very very much for this big help,’ she said of her new house.

‘We didn’t expect that there would be some organisation like Tearfund offering to give and build our home again. That’s why we’re so thankful, and forever will be thankful, for all your good deeds and good heart.’

Julio Olivido and Thelma Olivido were also appreciative of their new home: ‘Thank you very much for the help you have given us. We will never forget the grace you gave us. You’ve given us a good house with strong foundations. We’re very thankful to Tearfund, because our house will not be destroyed easily by new calamities. God bless.’

Tearfund has also helped people like Elnora Nardo get their livelihoods back on track.

With a sick husband requiring medicines, the 77-year-old was facing a struggle for survival after the storm, which killed more than 6,500 people.

Tearfund provided a grant that enabled Elnora, 77, to bulk buy rice which she sells to make a living. Before this, the prospect of going into debt to start the business was off-putting for her, but we also provided business training e.g. book-keeping skills, to set her on the right path.

‘We’re very thankful to Tearfund for granting us this blessing,’ said Elnora. ‘It had been really difficult to start over after the typhoon, but through this assistance, we were given new hopes in facing our daily challenges.’

Elnora is among 1,000 people who’ve received support to restart livelihoods in Cadiz, evidence that the generosity of Tearfund supporters has made a tangible difference to the recovery of people hit by typhoon Haiyan, says Leonilo Endoso, Tearfund’s Area Manager.

‘As well as new homes and livelihood support, we’ve been able to prepare people for future typhoons and disasters, work that will help save lives in the future,’ he said.

* Disasters can happen anywhere and at any time.