As we mark International Day of Families this Friday, we believe every family’s dignity matters. Thanks to your generous support of our Disaster Relief Fund, families in Manila, Philippines, have been able to rebuild their lives after devastating fires.
The Fires That Changed Everything
In March 2024, a devastating fire swept through Manila’s Aroma Temporary Housing neighborhood, displacing 652 families—including 15 who were part of our sponsorship program. Soon after, a second fire affected nearly 2,000 more families, with 19 households supporting at least one sponsored child.
“The scale of this disaster is staggering,” said Quirlyno, Tondo program coordinator.
“Many of these individuals were already vulnerable, and the loss they have experienced is unimaginable.”
Rebuilding with Limited Resources
Families were forced to flee their homes, often losing not only their shelter but also their primary sources of income.
Among those impacted were 34 families connected to the sponsorship program, representing 210 children, including 42 who are sponsored. On average, these households earned just $230 CAD per month, relying on informal and unstable work such as scavenging, labouring, street vending, sewing, and driving. Before the fires, most families lived in modest two-story homes that provided enough space for an average of eight people.
In the aftermath, local officials made the decision not to rebuild the original housing structures. Instead, they allocated small parcels of land to each affected family—including those who had previously lived on upper floors—so they could begin rebuilding on their own.
However, having land did not mean having the means to rebuild. The 34 families in the sponsorship program had no resources to purchase construction materials. It was only through your support of the Tondo site’s disaster relief fund that they were able to take the first steps toward restoring their homes and their lives.
Your Impact: Funding the Rebuild
With your help, families began constructing new homes on their assigned plots. Despite the limited space—averaging just nine square feet—many found creative ways to maximize their living areas by building lofts and additional levels. Tondo’s social workers and fieldworkers provided essential guidance, helping families manage their resources wisely and invest in durable materials rather than reverting to scrap. They also connected families with skilled workers, such as head masons, and provided access to architectural drawings to support safer, more stable construction.
By the end of 2024, homes once lost to fire had been rebuilt—restored not just as structures, but as places of safety and hope. Some families even took a step further, setting up small convenience shops at the front of their homes, allowing them to generate income and serve their community once again.