It's been a busy September for GAiN PH and GAiN Global's DART (Disaster Assistance and Response Team). We've spent several weeks on the ground—building homes, distributing relief goods, connecting with families and communities.
If anything, the weeks we spent there showed that you can have a detailed plan, but unexpected challenges will arise. What matters is how you come together to solve it.
Coming Together to Work on Problem-Solving and Perseverance
In our plans, September 10 was supposed to be straightforward. The container van carrying relief goods had arrived, and as we had been processing the paperwork already prior to its arrival, we expected a quick release. Instead, a tax-classification issue created an unexpected 9-day delay. Customs wanted payment before release.
After several days of back and forth, the container van was finally released on September 19, just a few days before our trip was supposed to end.
But the obstacles didn't stop there—we had to face a new set of challenges. The truck was too big for the driveway. The crane angles didn't work. Trees needed clearing. A small truck had to be sent for. Each setback required adaptation. Each delay required patience.
By late evening of September 19, with a handful of volunteers, we finally got the unloading underway.
Delivering Hope to Six Barangays
Over the next two days, we packed and packed and packed. We sorted through the items in the container van. We put relief goods into kits that we would be distributing to the barangays. Each bag held basic necessities, such as food, blankets, and even a water bottle.
And finally, relief distrubtion began.
We distributed to over 700 families across six barangays in Glan, Sarangani:
- Brgy. Tango - 150 families
- Brgy. Kapatan - 100 families
- Brgy. Cablalan - 100 families
- Brgy. Ilaya - 100 families
- Brgy. San Jose - 200 families
- Brgy. Burias - 100 families
From Shelter to Home
On September 21, we turned over the keys to the first completed house in our rebuilding project. Arlene T. Vicente, an earthquake survivor, received her home. This wasn't just a house, but a hope made concrete. We promised to help rebuild, and we kept it.
The work continues. We're still rebuilding homes. In the next few weeks, more families. will receive keys to their new houses.
Thank You For Rebuilding with Us
To everyone who helped us, who navigated the customs complications, who unloaded the boxes and helped us with packing and distributing, who built homes brick by brick, who gave as a way of supporting the work do—from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We couldn't do what we do without you. Because of you, we're able to bring more hope and healing to families and communities who need it the most. Thank you for being part of this journey.
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