Our friends & co-workers lost everything in the super typhoon Ria/Odette. We’re fundraising to help them rebuild their lives. Please read the message below from Francis & Jane about their family’s experiences.

December 17, 2021, the day we never thought would turn our lives 180 degrees. Growing up in the Philippines where a typhoon is as frequent as holidays, we thought Typhoon Odette/Ria was just one of those typhoons we encounter yearly. We weren’t given that much info from our government of how big this storm is that will hit our region so we downplayed our preparations. At 5pm Philippine time, the rain started to pour and the wind was blowing like there are race cars or an airplane landing beside the house. Starting at around 7pm, the house already have water inside due to the strong howling winds at 155 mph and heavy downpour. The whole house was shaking, power was out, ceilings were jumping up and down from the wind that got inside the roof, and the glass doors and windows were so close to shattering. The whole house was then leaking, water coming in from the door, the small crevices from the window, the walls, the electrical outlet. We used all our sheets, towels to cover the leaks, mopping the floor and all means just to keep the place we are hiding not to be wet. Then we have given up on mopping because the whole house started to shake each time a strong wind hit the house. We can hear tearing, loud banging, it was a really scary night. The only thought we had was our safety especially the safety of our 2 little kids who were both pale and silent from the shock of everything going on. It was the longest 7 hours of our lives. We never thought we’d survive the horror brought by Odette.

After the storm passed, we went out to check our house which was miraculously spared from being trampled by the very large tree and utility pole beside it. Our roof bent a bit and some of it flew a few blocks away. We were already lucky compared to our neighbors whose houses were now left roofless. 

Since we are a household that relies so much with electricity, from cooking, taking a shower and everything else. That means we have no means to cook, have running water and means to communicate to outer people. When we thought of buying more supplies and gas for cooking we then saw the aftermath of the typhoon. Large trees, uprooted and large utility poles are on the road. We checked all means to leave the village but to no avail. So Francis had to buy and carry a filled LPG tank which was a mile away just for us to have means of cooking food for the kids. Tried to get in touch with families and friends but there was no network connection all the time. We can only get a connection for a minute and it will drop again. During night time we only had a small led light and the full moon as our light. The kids were struggling to sleep because it was hot, so we had to use a board or those hand woven fan to fan the kids and keep the mosquitoes away. My hands felt like it was about to come off because I can’t stop fanning the kids. 

On the second day, we checked our pantry and we realized that we only have limited supplies which would last us for 3 days max. We definitely need to get out of the city. Luckily there’s another road that people was able to clear and we can use the car to pass there but it was so congested. So we thought of picking up my sister and her son with us and make it across the island at dawn to avoid the traffic. At dawn, Francis and I were able to cross to Cebu City, then we realized the city was hit as bad as us. Long queues at the gasoline station, ATM’s and water refilling station - and that was 1am! It took us 4 hours to get cash and we have to move 6 different locations and keep minding about the gas we are using for the car. It was so dark and we have to avoid the trees and electrical lines on the road at the same time praying that our car won’t get flat or have enough gas for us to get cash so that we have means to buy food and water.

We need to get out of Cebu island and move to my husband’s home town in Davao.

We asked friends and relatives help us book a flight or boat which was another challenge with ports and the airport destroyed. The scheduled trip we booked by ship was cancelled multiple times and flights were unavailable. On the 3rd day, we were lucky to finally book a flight the next day but it costs around 180k pesos or $3,600 for 6 people. We emptied our coffers and trust in God’s guidance for us. We had to leave all our stuff and thought of only bringing my laptop. In my mind, I was hoping I still have my work once we get out so I had to make sure to bring the laptop with me. My husband had to leave his prized desktop because it was too bulky for travel. We need to only bring the essentials so that we can easily move around.

4th day, we’re now in the airport waiting for our flight leaving all our things behind and packing it all in a suitcase. Because the airport was destroyed and all communication service was down, flights were delayed and most of it were cancelled. People camped in the airport desperate to get out of Cebu. We camped from 11pm on Dec 20th and was able to fly out at 12pm on Dec 21st. The usual 2 hour trip lasted for grueling 16 hours.

Now, we’re in Davao City, Francis’ hometown, rested, showered and eaten a full warm meal. It’s been a nightmare for full 4 days. Everything is still surreal now that we’re in a safe place. We still don’t know where to get the right amount to start our lives from scratch. We’re still thinking of those that are still in Cebu and struggling from the typhoon’s wrath. It’s heartbreaking to know that it will take some time to help those we left in Cebu too. 

We feel embarrassed to ask you to help us financially but it’s the only way for us to survive right now and make this transition comfortable for our kids. We still have money to buy our groceries for a month but we need to come up with an amount so that Francis can have a working computer for his job and other bills. Having work was one of the main drivers to really get out of the island so our livelihood will still be saved. Any amount would help us so so much to rebuild our family and we will be very thankful for it.

Sincerely,

Francis and Jane