Gerald’s family has always lived a simple life, one that’s full of hard work. The no-frills family lives near our Samar sponsor site in the Philippines. Gerald’s grandparents, both farmers and senior citizens, have been struggling to make ends meet. His grandmother also works as a janitor in their school and village. For them, having rice and meat on the table is enough. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t have big dreams.
For years, his family lived in an antiquated house. Collapsing windows, roofs hammered by typhoons, and trusses being eaten by termites. It was not suitable for living. It was distracting and uninviting.
Having a calamity-resilient house was crucial, especially since the Philippines is regularly hit by typhoons and other natural disasters. Gerald was often worried that their old house would be destroyed in a storm.
Gerald is determined to become a teacher one day; his dream is to lift his family out of poverty. He has seen the difficult moments when they couldn’t afford what they needed. Despite the predicaments they face, they are striving for a better life. He believes that there’s always hope amid the struggles that they face in life.
But never did he imagine that a huge blessing would surprise them last year. He can still recall when he heard, “An ato rekomendasyon na kam para sa pabahay naaprobahan na.”
(“Our group’s recommendation to include you in the housing project has been approved”)
From that moment, Gerald was filled with excitement. His grandmother had the biggest and brightest smile. They were happy and excited that their ultimate dream of having a decent house would soon be fulfilled. A mix of crying and euphoria concluded their day.
The year 2022 brought hope. After a series of meetings and consultations, the construction of their new house finally began.
Now, he is sure that their new house will bring a sense of positivity. He will no longer fear when typhoons hit their place. His family can now live in a decent, secure, and safe house. Gerald can now focus on his dreams and study well.
From the bottom of their hearts, Gerald and his family are so thankful to Chalice and Samar sponsor site for without them.
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