The head of a family had long dreamed of building a proper home for his family but faced financial difficulties. Their initial construction efforts were damaged over time. When Typhoon Yolanda hit, it destroyed the family's makeshift shelter. Undeterred, the father rebuilt a basic shelter to protect his family. A woman in the community, Yonnel, worked hard to support her children as a single mother despite challenges. Members of a community organization banded together to begin constructing a permanent home for Yonnel and her family.

1. STORMED by faith …FLOODED with grace.
In the beginning, the Head of the family attempted to build a modest dwelling for the family
which they can call home. A lay out was made complete with steel columns for the 4 corner
posts of the house to be built as soon as money becomes available. However, despite best
efforts working 7/7, they were still unable to take out extra money for cement and hollow
blocks, and so the dream home remained at ground level. Years past, the hollow blocks
eroded and the already thin and out of specs round bars rusted, until one by one it bent and
kissed the ground. Not to be discouraged, the head of the family propped it up one by one
still hoping, still dreaming for a home to shelter the family from the storm.
And then Yolanda came whipping the steel bars to the ground, and with it the adjoining
transient home where the family had weaved their dreams, their hope and aspiration. Wet as
puppies, cold and hungry, no money, no home, no food, it’s easy to give up… but not the
head of the family. Battered but still standing tall, surveyed the wreckage and with bare
hands gathered what was left of what was once a home. Assembled and hammered the
pieces, tied loose ends and in due time had resurrected a makeshift shelter to protect the
family from the scorching sun and drenching rain.
I often observed the person smiling on the sideline, manning the table and serving snack
during the assembly. Insensitive maybe, but I never had any inkling of the heavy load on the
shoulder and the hurt bursting inside. Given the circumstances, I will have done the same for
the family but maybe not to the extent of what this person had done. What strength of spirit,
what determination and character. For being the head of the family in the truest sense of the
word, I salute you! You truly are a HERO!

2. The family in front of what they now call home, a 3m x 2m cubicle of canvas, bamboo, plastic
curtains and earthen floor. The covered place served as bedroom/stockroom/ living room, etc.
Adjoining is an open air dining place in front, kitchen at the back and extended laundry place on
their neighbor’s yard. From the faces, you can gauge the level of burden each has to carry.

3. A close up view of the place for better viewing. Like mother, like daughter, strong determined.

4. And here is Yonnel Sucgang, composed and determined, showing the bedroom where she
sleeps together with her 2 children weather permitting. During rainy nights she has to remain
awake propping up the tents, otherwise they’ll be drenched to the bones along with their prized
possessions.
Yonnel, worked as a helper /gardener on a nearby rest house which unfortunately is now in
ruins. When working, She earns P900/week out of which she allocates P300 for elder son and
P200 for younger daughter’s school expenses leaving her with P400 to budget for food for the
whole week. To supplement the budget, she peddles Yakult on Sundays earning P50 to P100.

5. Despite leaving on the edge, she sends her children to school. Her son is a provincial
scholar now on his 2nd year studying in a state university while the daughter is a 1st year
college. For her tuition, she solicited money from friends. Yonnel is 40 years old and
separated from her husband who left her and her children for another woman.
She’s an HFL and is a Hero. Asked how she managed, she just smiled and said I pray.
And GOD heard her prayers and transmitted it to people sensitive enough to hear…
Now, the spirit is moving… as evident from the following photos.

6. Ochando CFCFFL Singles and Handmaids at work... laying out the foundation of Sis
Yonnel’s house while awaiting their damaged houses to be attended to later.

7. Who needs weights…

9. All working and having a good time…

10. Muscles at work, 60s against 20s. All is fair in service

11. The wisdom of age, the strength of youth, combined nothing is impossible.

12. Digging for the heart of gold?

13. THE VOW... The CFCFFL canvas will remain posted in place until the Hero’s home rises.
SPECIAL THANKS to the generous donation of Mom-me foundation