Help My Family Rebuild After Typhoon Odette

Hi everyone. My name is Colleen Fowler. I’m the daughter of a Filipina immigrant here in the states who’s family has been directly affected by Super Typhoon Odette (Rai). And I am asking for your help.

 

 

 

 

My mom grew up on a small island in the Philippines called Hingotanan Island. She is one of ten children and eight of her siblings along with their families & loved ones, live in or near Hingotanan. The category 5 typhoon hit Hingotanan/Visayas region last week and the island is completely destroyed. Only coconut trees are left standing. Everybody has lost their homes and their fishing boats have been destroyed (the only form of transportation to bigger islands). And Hingotanan isn’t the only one. So many other islands & communities have been left devastated, including people losing their lives.

 

 

 

 

It’s been extremely difficult to get people the proper help they need. Roads are closed or inaccessible. Airports are packed. Power lines are down so there is no signal for people to communicate with each other or ask for help. Gas stations on main islands have run out of fuel. Water shortage. Relief goods have been held at local government units. AND on top of it all, there’s still a pandemic.

 

 

 

 

So I am working directly with my cousins who are there now to help my family & the locals rebuild ASAP. They desperately need food, water, basic necessities and supplies to build new homes. And I’d love your help too!

 

 

 

 

I know it’s been a rough couple years AND it’s the holiday season but anything you can spare, counts. Truly. However big or small. Even raising awareness about the situation or sharing this fundraiser is a step in the right direction. Whatever it is, I’d be forever grateful.<3

 

** 100% of the funds raised will be directly used for food, water, shelter supplies, basic goods, & medical supplies for my family and the locals on Hingotanan Island & nearby communities. And on a transparent note, if you decide to donate, I am the one personally making sure that the funds raised are being transferred and used as relief support. On my end, I will be providing receipts & documentation every step of the way. And once funds make it to the Philippines, I will be working with my cousins there to get pictures of receipts, goods that are bought, supplies purchased, etc etc.

 

The transferring of funds will be executed as follows:

 

1. Fundraiser complete/funds have been raised

2. Withdrawal of funds to personal bank account. This will be done by me in the states through the Go Fund Me platform.

3. Transfer of funds. Once the funds have been transferred to my account, I will transfer money directly to my cousin’s account in the Philippines using Western Union, a well known money transferring company.

 

The hardest thing about this situation is feeling like I’m not helping enough, being so far away. Luckily this fundraiser is allowing me to be the voice for my family in the Philippines to ask for help and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to read our story.

 

Gugma/Love,

Colleen