Typhoon Koppu (local name, Lando) is a super typhoon that hit Northern and Central Luzon in the Philippines, leaving a sore devastation to communities. Despite this, as nation of undeniable human spirit, we are mabiskeg enough to go through anything. Mabiskeg is the Pangasinense term for strong and firm.
Mabini is a town in Western Pangasinan. It is one of the most devastated by Typhoon Koppu (local name Lando). In Mabini, schools are one of the hard-hit structures, and some of the structures are in isolated areas. More often than not, people who watch the news or read the paper offer relief goods, clothes, medicines, and toiletries as forms of help. Only few give attention on the education of the children who are affected, how the kids can go back to their schools.
This project is to maximize and spread out the help people can offer. This may sound little, but a notebook can do so much especially that many families lost literally everything; it would help them get back on their feet and start again. Furthermore, the focus is on education because I was a child in that town who experienced being evacuated and all that. I could have saved other things, but my Mom would tell me to save my bag. I resolve that to parents, knowing that their children go back to school is quite a relief.
The main focus of the campaign is to consolidate school supplies, but it would be best to include basic needs like cash, relief goods, clothes, sheets, medicines, and toiletries because many families were not able to save a single thing due to flashfloods. For local cash donations, please contact Franz Marabe through 0999 551 4843. International cash donations are also accepted through online fundraising campaign via Indiegogo (https://www.generosity.com/fundraisers/typhoon-koppu-relief-funds/x/12530349). Anyone from abroad may click the link to donate. Rest assured all monetary donations will be converted into helping the children go to school again. In Quezon City area, donations can be turned in through Romelie Tamares (0936 694 9555). For Makati area, reach Koko Alviar (0917 826 1557). The crowdsourcing campaign runs until the 6th of November 2015. The items will be delivered on the 7th of November 2015.
Another part of the project is to tap interested groups especially student organizations, fraternities, and sororities to spearhead or partner with local teachers and government officials to help rehabilitate the damaged schools. Interested parties may reach me through triumphjpaquino@gmail.com.
If typhoons can leave a mark, why can’t we? Let us help out and rebuild our nation together. As how they put it, the Filipino spirit is waterproof.
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