“Working with Build Change, I learned how to make a house stronger. It’s also been a good experience for my husband, who is a builder and is learning new ways to build.”Helenita Raloso
Helenita Raloso and her family hid in a bathroom during Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan. She said the scariest moment was when her husband, Eustaquio, left the safety of the bathroom to find their youngest son. When he opened the door, all she could see were metal roof sheets flying around. Fortunately, the son was found, but part of a wall had fallen on his leg.
When Helenita emerged after the storm had subsided, she found that her house was gone, her neighbor’s house was gone, and most of the houses in her community were gone. When Helenita realized that she didn’t have a house, she says the tears just fell.
Helenita and her family are lucky enough to be among one of the first families in the community of Sulangan, Eastern Samar, to receive assistance in rebuilding their house. Thanks to a grant from partner Cordaid and assistance from Build Change in designing and building their house, the Raloso family will have another house within a year of losing everything during Typhoon Yolanda. Helenita is very grateful for the assistance, and says she doesn’t know if she would be able to rebuild otherwise.
“Working with Build Change, I learned how to make a house stronger”, says Helenita. “It’s also been a good experience for my husband, who is a builder and is learning new ways to build.” Although Helenita is happy with her new house, she is also looking to the future. When she can save up enough money, she would like to add a second floor, so that she has more space to accommodate her sons when they come from Manila.
