Dear Friends and Family,

On January 22, 2020, I received a message that the home I grew up in as a child in the Philippines was destroyed in a devastating fire. This house was occupied by my uncles and their families: One side of the home housed my uncle with his family of 8, with 3 children ranging from 1, 5 and 7. The other side of the home lived my other uncle and some tenants. The fire was believed to have started where my uncle (with tenants) lived.  It is unclear how or why the fire started, but my uncle suffered burns on his face, back, hands, and feet. He is currently in the local jail, awaiting an unfortunate fate. I remember him as a kind, loving, artistic and hardworking man. I feel absolutely broken when I think of him and his current situation.

The fire not only damaged my childhood home, but at least 100 more homes in the area (as you can see in the pictures, these homes are small and densely packed together). My heart has been aching because I remember what it was like to live in this very poor community.  I have very happy childhood memories even though we had almost next to nothing because this community somehow knew how to take care of each other. People here worked hard to build and fix their homes, and now it is gone. Most of them now only own the clothes they wore as they escaped to save themselves and their loved ones. They have nothing.

This fire also is extremely painful for my extended family that now lives in the United States.  Many of their childhood friends and family still live there and are completely displaced with nowhere to go because of this tragedy.

The family, friends, and neighbors have no insurance. They have no credit cards to help during the crisis.  Nor do they even have a bank account, let alone savings. We hurt for them all and are trying to help in any way we can. 

This GoFundMe is dedicated to all of the victims of this fire.  Our families are doing their best to help each other. However, it will not be enough. This fundraiser is mainly trying to assist the other families that are not fortunate enough to have family in the United States that can help them rebuild. 

My goal is to raise whatever I can and donate 100% of the money to all of the victims of this very devastating event. Please consider helping.  Every dollar counts. Your contribution will go directly to help these families in need.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this. 

I am grateful for you. You are a blessing.

Sincerely,

Michelle