Typhoon Haiyan
Last November, the Philippines was devastated by the unprecedented power of Typhoon Haiyan. We all saw the footage from our living rooms as the international community came together in support of those in need.
Now 6 months on, the Filipino community continues to show great resilience in the long recovery journey as the rebuilding of homes, schools, hospitals and lives begins.
Local Heroes
I was fortunate enough to have worked along-side the amazing strength of the Filipino community in the immediate aftermath of Haiyan. It was whilst supporting the Philippine Red Cross that I came across a group of young volunteers selflessly committed to the
relief effort. These volunteers were the students of the regional nursing college, Colegio de Sta Lourdes.
The slept slept in tents, had no running water and maintained a diet of rice, noodles and sardines, dealt with months of rain and minor flooding and amazingly would still finish the day with the ability to laugh. The volunteers were involved in operations including
relief distribution, medical missions, first aid and ambulance, shelter, psychosocial support, hygiene promotion, logistics and blood donation. Working tirelessly in difficult conditions, the strength and compassion showed by the students was beyond inspirational.
The Colegio de Sta Lourdes Foundation (CSLLFI) is a unique educational facility with a proven academic history, sustainable funding model and culture that harnesses the values of community and family. Dr. Rusty Balderian, as
a mechanism to support his hometown of Tabontabon and offer an affordable opportunity to the youth throughout the province, established the college in 2003.
The students understand the importance and influence that CSLLFI has on their lives, knowing that this educational platform will enable them to go on to be gainfully employed in state hospitals and abroad.
Aftermath of Haiyan
Typhoon Haiyan directly impacted CSLLFI, as the town of Tabontabon endured the “eye” of the storm. The college has suffered significant damage to its classroom facilities and equipment, sleeping quarters and agricultural lands. The Foundation
is now tasked with a monumental rebuilding effort, whilst also returning the facility to a functional and safe environment for the current students. Walking through the grounds before classes recommenced; it was difficult to imagine the motivation and strength
needed to rebuild.
Damage Assessment Highlights:
• Structural and roofing damage to all eight classrooms, boarding houses and the amphitheater
• Canteen, faculty room and one classroom hallway completely destroyed
• 95% loss of coconut plantation – this will have a major impact on the funding model of the college
• Significant loss of equipment - including computers, nursing apparatus and healthcare equipment, tractors, welding machines, rice threshers, water pumps, sprayers and cargo trailers
• Loss or damage to necessary classroom and office furniture
Key points about the College:
• CSLLFI is now considered to be in the top 10 nursing facilities in the country, boasting a pass-rate of over 90% in the National Licensing Examination.
• Currently 200 registered students (approximately half these students are boarding.
• The College targets the most disadvantaged families where possible with over 500 students graduating since opening in 2003.
• The school is selective to ensure that the scholarship requirements can be maintained. The scholarship includes full tuition and boarding fees for students who maintain the required grades.
• The College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship.
• The College is financially sustained by the cultivation of rice and coconut plantations and other social enterprises launched by the entrepreneurship students.
The Future for Colegio de Sta Lourdes:
The Foundation and the wider community of Tabontabon are committed to not only returning the school to what it once was, but also aiming to enhance the facilities and design as they commence construction.
The immediate needs of the college include:
• Loss or damage to necessary classroom and office furniture
• The procurement of teaching resources
• Repairing and equipping the nursing laboratory and computer laboratory
• Repairing semi-permanent classrooms;
Once this is complete, CSLLFI plans to:
• Establish a small milling operation to clear the fallen coconut trees and generated an income stream of the college
• Build more personalised sleeping quarters that will reduce energy costs and will be more comfortable for students
• Become more energy efficient and independent with the installation of solar energy
