Hazel's Home!

Hi! I'm Mel and this family fundraiser is again for my friend of 20 years, Hazel Basio, in the Philippines. We are gathering pre-Christmas donations, aiming to raise $500 to complete a new house & buy school supplies, after recent typhoons again devastated large areas of the Phils. Hazel & the kids lost their home & everything they had - except for their new farm on high ground!..

Hazel is a hard working mother, raising her four children on her own: two boys (aged 13 and 12) and two girls (aged 9 and 5). After being hit hard with many typhoons in the past few years, the recent storm "Mario" caused flooding rains that washed away 26 low-lying homes in Hazel's village area, along with heavy destruction throughout the Philippines.

After our previous fundraiser, Hazel's family was able to start their own farm, renting land on an 8 year lease, planting falcata trees & food crops to support themselves. This farm is starting to flourish & has weathered the storms well. It is also elevated & situated one kilometre from the lower creek area in the village. Instead of rebuilding in the flood area, Hazel will build a house on the farm land. She is still so happy & grateful for all the previous funding help, good wishes & extends her heartfelt thanks to all! Despite losing everything, especially the school belongings that mean so much to the children, Hazel & the kids are determined to build a better future.

Her family & neighbours are currently living in emergency tents. While the Philippine Govt & several NGO's have donated items to assist Hazel's village & many others to rebuild, it will be a long process & is not a complete solution. Early on in October, Hazel & her neighbours have each received 10 sheets of corrugated iron, bottled water & a bag of rice... It's a start!.. But we plan to help her finish her house & buy new school supplies, clothes & necessities well before Christmas!! ANY financial help is REALLY appreciated in this cause!

It is already underway. From our recent donations, Hazel has been able to negotiate to buy her first supplies of bamboo & other materials for the walls of the house, so the sheets of iron will be used for the roof. She also plans to tie down the roof & walls, plus concrete the floor, to help prevent losing this new house in future storms! Her house can be completed for about $400, with a further $100 being raised for school supplies & other items lost to the typhoon flood. The kids are excited about school again, after worrying they have no clothes, bags or books. At 13 years old, Ryan is the eldest child & man-of-the-house, who has just been given a scholarship to complete his schooling, which is a dream come true in the face of their hardships! :)

If you would like to help fulfil their dream of a sturdy house for Christmas, please donate ANY amount you can towards our $500 goal! THANK YOU, on behalf of Hazel, Ryan, Raffy, Eazel Jan & Lani Mae. PLEASE SHARE this page with your family, friends and social contacts - WE THANK YOU for helping to change the lives of Hazel's family and community!