Philippine Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator Stephen Gualberto addresses a group. (Click View Slideshow for additional photos.)
Typhoon Haiyan 1 year later
Philippines, Asia-Pacific Region
Thursday, November 13, 2014
On November 8, 2013, Leonida and her eight children went quickly to an evacuation center as Typhoon Haiyan made its way toward their home in the central Philippines. Leonida and her children survived, but her husband died, along with more than 7,000 others. The typhoon leveled entire communities, leaving more than 1 million people homeless.
The situation was desperate, but through partnerships with Nazarenes around the world, the Church of the Nazarene in the Philippines was able to mobilize Nazarene Disaster Response teams quickly. The teams worked to meet immediate needs, and today they are still working to assist vulnerable children and families on their path to recovery.
A year ago, local Nazarenes provided Leonida and her children with a tent for shelter. Months later the family moved into a transitory site with more stable housing. Leonida currently provides for her children through a small convenience shop she runs. She spends each day preparing vegetables to sell while taking care of her 4-year-old son, who has special needs, and a 2-year-old toddler. She is working toward rebuilding a permanent home, which the family hopes to move into by 2016.
"I work hard for my family," Leondia said.
Even with her hard work, the family needs additional support to get to a place of full recovery.
Through the gifts of individuals and churches around the world, the Nazarene church in the Philippines has been able to meet the physical needs of vulnerable families and share the hope of Christ with them.
--Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Related, from the Asia-Pacific Region: "NDR continues to respond 1 year after Typhoon Haiyan"
The situation was desperate, but through partnerships with Nazarenes around the world, the Church of the Nazarene in the Philippines was able to mobilize Nazarene Disaster Response teams quickly. The teams worked to meet immediate needs, and today they are still working to assist vulnerable children and families on their path to recovery.
A year ago, local Nazarenes provided Leonida and her children with a tent for shelter. Months later the family moved into a transitory site with more stable housing. Leonida currently provides for her children through a small convenience shop she runs. She spends each day preparing vegetables to sell while taking care of her 4-year-old son, who has special needs, and a 2-year-old toddler. She is working toward rebuilding a permanent home, which the family hopes to move into by 2016.
"I work hard for my family," Leondia said.
Even with her hard work, the family needs additional support to get to a place of full recovery.
Through the gifts of individuals and churches around the world, the Nazarene church in the Philippines has been able to meet the physical needs of vulnerable families and share the hope of Christ with them.
--Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Related, from the Asia-Pacific Region: "NDR continues to respond 1 year after Typhoon Haiyan"