Help Ella’s Sister Rebuild Her Home After Typhoon Devastation in the Philippines

Ella has been part of our family for nearly ten years now. She’s my stepmother — and we love her with all our hearts. Her laughter fills our home, her kindness blesses everyone she meets, and she has become a piece of who we are.

Right now, her heart is breaking. Her sister, Daisybel , lives in Palompon, Leyte, in the Philippines — an area that was just struck by two powerful typhoons, (Kalmaegi and Fung-wong) within the past week. The storms have left her home in ruins once again.

So often we hear of these tragedies without being able to relate to the nameless, faceless sufferers. Daisybel is family. Ella’s sister - my aunt This isn’t just someone far away. We have a real chance to change her life by providing a house that will withstand the storms for a surprisingly low cost.

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A Glimpse Into Her Life

Imagine being 50 years old, raising four children on your own, in a small home that began as a storage room for mango harvests. The floor is concrete, but the rest — wood, patched walls, a roof that’s repaired after every storm. The living area is one open space, and the kitchen sits outside, what locals affectionately call a “dirty kitchen,” where you cook over wood fires and the smoke curls up around you, leaving a trace of ash in your hair.

It’s humble, but it’s home. Until the next typhoon comes.

Each storm brings fear — the roof lifting in the wind, rain seeping through the walls, children huddled close as the house shudders. Repairs are made again and again, but the materials can’t hold forever.

Still, Daisybel never stops. She washes laundry by hand for about six dollars a day, cleans yards, and sells small home and personal products to keep food on the table. Her son, who once attended college, stopped to help his mom. Another studies information technology, hoping for a better future. Her youngest, Daisy Mae, is just seven years old — bright, hopeful, and full of joy.

This is life for many families in Leyte, where nearly one in four homes are built of light or organic materials like bamboo, nipa, and sawali. These homes breathe with the tropical air, but they offer little protection when a storm hits.

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What We’re Raising Funds For

We’re hoping to raise $5,000 - $10,000 to help rebuild Daisybel’s home — something safer, stronger, and more durable against the next storm. Even a small contribution will go toward:

The land belongs to a relative, so the goal isn’t extravagance — it’s stability. It’s knowing that the next time the wind howls, the roof will stay in place and her children will sleep safely through the night.

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Why This Matters

This isn’t a charity case — it’s a chance to meet a real need in the life of someone connected to us by love and family. Ella has given us so much joy. Helping her sister is a way to return that love in the most tangible way possible.

Your generosity doesn’t pass through agencies or organizations. It goes directly to rebuilding Daisybel’s home; no overhead organization to pay — from your hands to hers.

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We can’t stop the typhoons, but we can help this family rebuild something that lasts beyond the storm. Even a small gift will bring warmth, stability, and hope. Together, we can give Daisybel and her children a home that feels safe again.

Transparency and Trust

Every dollar given will go directly to Daisybel and her family as they rebuild their home and daily life. We’ll be sharing photos, updates, and receipts so you can see exactly how your kindness is being used — restoring walls, roofs, and hope piece by piece.