Help Rebuild our Homes after Super Typhoon Rai

I am knocking on your hearts during this season of giving and humbly asking for donations. Please help me rebuild the homes of my family and friends who have been affected by Super Typoon Rai back in the Philippines. The Philippine National News and International Media are not covering the extent of the aftermath of this super typhoon. Several islands in the Visayas and Mindanao region are desperately in need of our help.

Most of our islands are now unrecognizable due to the catastrophic damages the typhoon left behind. Resources are very limited. Looting has already started and lines up 2km long to get petrol. In Cebu alone, it is estimated that it will take 1 - 2 months before all of Cebu gets their electricity back. There is also no water and weak cellular signals at this point in time.

Your money will go towards helping rebuild the homes of my family and friends. This is how Typhoon Rai affected my immediate and extended family:

My dad's home (6 adults, 2 kids): A mango tree fell on top my uncle's room. It has also broken our power lines. Parts of our roof has been pulled out by the storm. There's a gap between the wall and our roof now, which means if another storm comes, water will seep in. (Cebu City)

Two of my uncles and their respective families (approximately 2 adults, and at least 3-4 children per family): Their homes and belongings are completely damaged. The wind have completely blown away their roofs. (Cebu City)

My auntie and her son in a neighboring island. Their house is ravaged by the storm. Kitchen, bathroom and bedroom is unlivable. (Bohol)

One of my best friends (approximately 5 adults in the immediate family, at least give 2 - 3 more adults who live with them): Their main home up the mountain is completely wrecked. It's not livable. They also have two other homes that have also been completely ravaged by the storm. (Busay, Cebu)

I am still awaiting to hear about another extended family. My auntie who has at least six children with her. They also don't have the best living situation so I'm prepared to help them with the funds we raise. (Cebu City)

Your money will also go to the cost of essentials such as water, food, solar lights and alternative shelters. If we raise enough money, and after fixing everyone's homes, we would potentially look into generators. Unfortunately, due to the lack of cellular signals and electricity, we are unable to provide photos of each home I have mentioned. But I will be posting videos and photos on my Facebook and Instagram account that I have collated from friends and other online sources.

Any leftovers, I will donate to the non-profit organization Kids for Kids.

For context:

1NZD = 33PHP

1AUD = 35PHP

1USD = 50PHP

1GBP = 66PHP

Any amount, big or small, will go a long way. Please share my Give a Little Page where you can, to help us rebuild our homes, but also to help spread awareness.

I am currently based in Auckland, New Zealand. It is very heartbreaking not being able to just jump on a plane to visit home and help my family. Not only is this happening during the Christmas season, but it's also on top of a pandemic which has already been so hard for so many in the Philippines. But all I can do right now is pray, fundraise and spread awareness. I appreciate every single contribution and help that you are able to give. A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart.

If you haven't heard, below are a few facts about the Super Typhoon Rai (Odette). I also encourage you to please do your own research and follow social media accounts that are actively raising awareness like @forthefutureph, @kidsforkidsph, @sugboph.

It is one of the strongest storms of 2021, hit my beloved home city which is Cebu City. Washington Post writes, "In the day before landfall, it rapidly strengthened from a Category 1 to a Category 5-equivalant storm. It developed a "pin hole" eye, surrounded by extremely strong thunderstorms - characteristics of the most powerful tropical cyclones."

CNN World writes, "The storm, which had initially packed winds of up to 260 kilometers per hour (160 miles per hour) with gusts over 300 kilometers per hour (185 miles per hour), later moved west bringing with it heavy rain and widespread flooding. As of 9:30 p.m. local time Friday, Rai was traveling over the far western island of Palawan with sustained winds of 175 kph (108 mph), which is equivalent to a Category 2 Atlantic hurricane."