Hi my name is Ryan,

 

I'm setting up this fundraiser on behalf of my cousin and brother Jasen Nicolaisen and his young family after a Typhoon ripped through the Philippines in late 2021. I'm hoping to raise some money to help them and their family to rebuild their homes after the devastating storm.

They knew the storm was coming but nothing could prepare Jasen, his wife Claudia and their one year old daughter Freya for the devastation of a category 5 typhoon.

After attempting to gather up as many things as they could, the storm soon ripped the roof off their home, power and internet were cut and the family was stuck hiding in the lower levels taking refuge as the storm blew over devastating the country. Thankfully everyone was ok. Claudia's parents home was also completely destroyed in the typhoon. Cash and belongings were lost just days before celebrating Freya's first Christmas.

But there's a lot more to this story that I would like to tell...

If we go back to 9 years Jasen, without realising it would soon meet the love of his life on a trip to Philippines for his best mates wedding, a Filipina called Claudia. A relationship that would eventually lead to them becoming married. A long distance relationship that pushed through where some wouldn't. Soon enough the joyful news came along a beautiful girl would be arriving soon, right in the middle of a pandemic.

Claudia and Jasen had already gone down the immigration road and stays were happening here in Australia and in the Philippines, but nothing would prepare them for Covid-19 separating Jasen and his soon to be family from seeing each other for longer than expected. Claudia had no way of entering Australia and Jasen also was not able to leave the country to be with Claudia through here entire pregnancy. So long in fact that Jason would not be there for the birth of his first born daughter Freya, a heart breaking moment for them.

The next step was deciding on packing up his life here in Australia and making the decision that being separated from his family was not an option for him and he would take every step possible to get back to them. A road of hard work, vaccinations and more paper work and cancelled flights than you can imagine.

This road would take a further 11 months. 11 months of talking to his daughter through a computer cam trying desperately to gain a connection with her. I, a father myself, can not imagine the heartache of missing those small moments that make being a parent so amazing.

On the 14th of September after finally arriving to the Philippines Jasen would be reunited with his wife and most importantly meet his daughter for the first time. Just 2 weeks before her first birthday. He said to me, "I'm not missing her birthday". A promise he would make to himself, and one he would keep.

Jasen spent the next few months connecting with Freya and I'm happy to say she knows who her dad is now.

Claudia did an amazing job of raising baby Freya until her dad could be there with them.

If you could find it in your hearts to donate to the Nicolaisen's and help them and their surrounding families rebuild and have a better start, they would appreciate it. Covid has affected us all, and nearly tore this family apart but they got through it and are looking forward to moving on from this devastating chapter in their lives.

 

Thanks so much,

 

Ryan