Starlinks for Devastated Loreto, Dinagat Islands

Paolo Galido is organizing this fundraiser to benefit Loretenos In Usa & Canada (Luscan).

Tax deductible

Any amount will go a long way! If you don’t have the means to donate, we also appreciate the share. The people of Loreto were hit by a Category 5 Super Typhoon and we have turned our initial relief fundraising into raising funds for Starlinks for Schools!

In the wake of the devastating Typhoon Odette, the remote island of Loreto in the Philippines has been struggling to rebuild its community. Among the hardest-hit sectors is education, with many schools left without the necessary resources to provide quality learning experiences for their students. One of the critical needs is reliable internet access. We are launching a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for Starlink satellite internet for schools in Loreto, enabling them to reconnect with the world and access vital educational resources.

Background:

Typhoon Odette wreaked havoc on Loreto, destroying homes, infrastructure, and disrupting lives. Schools, which are the cornerstone of any community, were not spared. The lack of internet connectivity has further exacerbated the situation, hindering students’ access to online learning platforms, educational materials, and communication with the outside world. Without internet, teachers and students are isolated, unable to benefit from modern educational tools and resources.

The Solution:

Starlink, a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, offers high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas. By providing Starlink to schools in Loreto, we can bridge the digital divide and ensure that students have access to the same opportunities as their peers in more connected regions. With Starlink, schools can resume online learning, access a wealth of digital resources, and stay connected with educators and institutions globally.

Our Goal:

We aim to raise $10,000 to equip the schools in Loreto with Starlink internet. This will cover the cost of Starlink kits, installation, and the first year of service for multiple schools. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal and makes a significant impact on the lives of these children.

How You Can Help:

Your contribution can make a real difference. Here’s how your donation can help:

$50 can provide basic educational materials for a classroom.

$100 can cover the cost of installation for one Starlink kit.

$500 can fund the monthly service fee for a school for a year.

$1,000 can provide a complete Starlink setup for one school.

Impact:

By supporting this campaign, you are not just providing internet access; you are giving hope and opportunities to the children of Loreto. Reliable internet will enable them to:

Access online learning platforms and resources.

Participate in virtual classes and educational programs.

Communicate with educators and peers worldwide.

Stay updated with global educational trends and advancements.

Conclusion:

Together, we can rebuild the educational infrastructure of Loreto and ensure that the future generation is not left behind. Your generosity can transform the lives of these children and give them a chance to thrive despite the adversities they face. Join us in this mission to empower education in Loreto by donating to our GoFundMe campaign.

Donate now and be a part of this transformative journey!

Thank you for your support.

Charity’s Cause:

Hi my name is Paul Galido, I am from the United States and I am fundraising for the relief effort of my late Dad's hometown, Loreto, in Dinagat Islands, Philippines. Since my dad was alive, it has been our mission to help this already poor town in the Philippines (loretonian.org). We are fundraising under our Non-Profit Charity Loretenios in US and Canada #76-0292103 under section 501 (c) 3. All donations are tax deductible.

We are still hoping to collect more and currently planning for the best impact possible with the money received so far.

Super Typhoon Odette hit on my dad’s death anniversary Dec 16 (Dec 17 in the US). It was always his wish to help the people of Loreto. Wishing comfort, peace, hope and better times ahead to all those affected.

On December 16, 2021, came a devastating and disastrous typhoon, Typhoon Odette (Rai). If we can knock on your hearts for some monetary assistance for aid to these people during this holiday season, it would greatly go a long way, in a country whose minimum wage is only $6/day.

Immediate use of this money will go to food and necessities. The rest will go to the reconstruction of Loreto after the dust settles.

This means the world to me and our Loreto community in the Philippines and can't imagine the difficulties these people must face during this holiday season. Thank you so much for your love and support.

At least 95% of the houses in the province were destroyed as Odette pounded the province with heavy rain and powerful winds on December 16.

Communities were flattened and Dinagat’s provincial capitol itself was destroyed.

Results of the foundation’s rapid assessment and needs assessment placed the number of houses on the island that were either damaged or destroyed at 23,000. The province has a population of 130,000.

It is reported that “Everywhere, you will see houses leveled to the ground or with their rooftops blown off.”

The Dinagat Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office documented at least 15 deaths during Odette’s landfall.

The typhoon made its second landfall in Dinagat past 3 pm on December 16, barely two hours after it first battered neighboring Siargao Island, a world-famous surfing destination in Surigao del Norte.

It was heart-wrenching to see local government workers salvaging a full month’s supply of water-soaked rice from a warehouse and making lugaw (porridge) out of it

“People lined up to get their share of lugaw because there is no other food.”

Roads leading to the municipalities of Loreto, Basilisa, Tubajon, and Libjo have remained inaccessible from San Jose, the provincial capital.

Like vital installations, the island’s agriculture is gone.

“There is no food, no rice, and no safe drinking water".

Some unscrupulous traders have also taken advantage of the food shortage and were selling vegetables by as much as P100 a kilo.

Gasoline there commands a price of as much as P120 per liter.

Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in neighboring Northern Mindanao, said it would take a while for local governments in the typhoon-devastated areas in Caraga to complete and submit comprehensive damage reports.

Cariño said the affected areas have lost their telecommunications infrastructure and were isolated due to impassable roads.