World Vision Joins Yolanda Survivors in Celebrating Life and Resilience

Life moves on for most Leyteños as they commemorate Typhoon Yolanda’s third anniversary on November 8. Three years after Yolanda, survivors slowly rise up and build back what they had lost.

Rogelio, a 66-year old baker in Tacloban, has successfully rebuilt his own livelihood after Yolanda. He now helps his fellow Taclobanons by sharing his knowledge and skills in baking.

“My hopes are for my family and students. I hope that I could leave something significant for my family in the future,” shares Rogelio.

Rogelio became one of the 105 trainees who participated in a 10-day short course on cake-baking through World Vision in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). With his promising talent and potential, Rogelio also upgraded as a trainer for Mondejar Foundation College, the school that handles the TESDA training. Rogelio has been training other bakers on bread making since June 2016. “For my students, I want them to show their interest and be focused on the training because this will absolutely help them,” Rogelio added.

Lenora, 42, picked up the pieces from Yolanda by starting small from her earnings through World Vision’s Cash-for-Work initiative during the rehabilitation phase. She now maintains an urban kitchen garden in her front yard and profits from her small sari-sari store with the help of her daughter. With determination, Lenora regains her capacity to sustain her family’s needs and save some of her earnings for her emergency fund especially during typhoon season.

Rogelio and Leonora are just two over 100,000 Leyteños who benefited from World Vision – Typhoon Haiyan Response livelihood programs.

Moving forward, World Vision joins the city government and the people of Tacloban in celebrating life, resilience, and hope with this year’s anniversary theme — Paghinumdum ngan Pagpasalamat (Remembering and Thanksgiving). Activities for the week include:

Nov 4-6 PHOTO EXHIBIT at Robinsons’ Tacloban Annex area
World Vision’s 3-day photo exhibit, our kick-off activity for the Typhoon Yolanda commemoration which aims to raise public awareness on the importance of strengthening community participation as an essential part of humanitarian work.

Nov 5 CoMSCA Leaders’ Congress at the Tacloban Astrodome
THEME: “Pagtirok! Ha kakurian andam Ka”
A culmination activity for Community-Managed Savings and Credit Association leaders and members from World Vision-assisted areas in Tacloban City, Alang alang, Dagami and Dulag

Nov 7 Mini-concert at the Tacloban Astrodome
THEME: Paghinumdum ngan Pagpasalamat:
Mini-Concert Celebrating Life and Resilience after Yolanda | Open to our community partners, especially our youth and music lovers. Event performers include Tacloban City Band, Perkins Twins, Gloc-9, Christian Bautista and other guests.

Nov 8 Project Handover
Children’s Park and Playground at the Tacloban Astrodome | The opening day of Children’s Park and Playground serves as the centerpiece of World Vision’s Hope for Tacloban’s Children Project. Handover activities with city officials will coincide with Children’s Month celebrations.