Family in Philippines needs our help

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$3,725 raised of $2.5K CAD

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Family in Philippines needs our help

Todd Kabaluk is organizing this fundraiser.

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A family in the Philippines needs our help.

My friend Luzviminda and her partner Matt are struggling - especially after the recent typoon Bualoi and 6.9 magnitude earthquake. Living in a rural area of Negros Occidental, they are impoverished as Matt does not have the means to find work - carpentry tools, and Luzviminda is completing Grade 12 as a young adult. Their accommodations are meager and in need of repair and completion.

Money will be used to buy carpentry tools for Matt, materials to repair their house after the typhoon and earthquake, and complete their renovations so they can house their daughter who is currently living with Matt's parents. I am currently personally supporting Luzviminda's completion of high school so that she can find meaningful employment at home or abroad, or continue on to college.

I plan to travel to their place in Negros Occidental and help them complete their house. Donated money will be used for tools and building supplies and food stocks to help them in the short term. Any leftover will be put in their bank account that I helped them establish. All money will be accounted and reported, and none used for travel.

BACKGROUND

In 2005 I took a canoe trip on the South China Sea in southwestern Philippines. A boatman named Toklo helped me find a traditional Filippino canoe ('bangka') to do the trip with, by taking me to island villages on his motorized bangka. Always on board was his adorable 7-year old daughter, Luzviminda. I befriended them both. Later in life I learned that Toklo and Luzviminda's mother had both passed away, leaving Luzviminda dispirited and without family support to continue her high school. I reached out to Luzviminda and learned about the poor conditions under which she and her partner were living and began supporting the completion of her high school.

Luzviminda and her dad in 2005

The bangka I purchased for the canoe trip. I named the boat 'Mango Shape' - the mispronouciation of 'mango shake' that Luzviminda asked for after our daily excursions shopping for my canoe.