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Since typhoon Durian destroyed their house, Mrs. Baria and her five children braved living in a two-meter height abode comprised primarily of a nipa roof (palm thatch) - one of the few materials they were able to salvage after the typhoon.
More about World Vision in the Philippines
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By Shirley T. Kimmayong, HEA Communications Specialist
Leonila Baria, 44, and her family have been living in a home without walls and proper flooring since typhoon Durian destroyed her home in November 2006.
Today she celebrates as her family moves into their new home with strong walls and a roof.
"The fear of being bitten by an insect whenever we sleep at night and having to slouch as you move inside the make shift house is over," said a teary-eyed Baria of Malilipot, Albay.
Since typhoon Durian destroyed their house, Mrs. Baria and her five children braved living in a two-meter height abode comprised primarily of a nipa roof (palm thatch) - one of the few materials they were able to salvage after the typhoon.
"Studying my lessons at night is hard because we have no electricity. I also have difficulty sleeping because it is cold at night," said Roniel, Mrs. Baria's eleven year-old son.
Mrs. Baria's ten year-old daughter, Nicole, described their temporary living shelters as cramped: "Living in the house was like living in a can of sardines because you cannot move much."
Mrs. Baria and her family were one of 1,500 recipients who received assistance from World Vision's Albay Shelter Assistance Project (ASAP) following the 2006 typhoon.
The ASAP project was carried out in three municipalities of Albay namely Malilipot, Bacacay and Sto. Domingo. The project was completed in February 2008. Each recipient received materials to build a new home including nails, a handsaw, a hammer, roofing sheets and some lumber.
World Vision also donated ten chainsaws, which were turned over to village officials in each municipality.
Living in a village in Malilipot, Mrs. Baria commended World Vision for choosing to work in areas that are difficult to reach because of their remoteness.
"World Vision was the only one who helped us. Our village is very far away," she said.
Baria's husband is a taxi driver in Metro Manila and does not earn much. The family says the shelter assistance is heaven sent.
"This is a new beginning for my family and we can now move on to make things better," she said.
Meanwhile village head Avelino Apun of Bacacay praised World Vision.
"World Vision is the best because they have provided housing assistance for my constituents who are really in need. We cannot give this assistance," said Apun.
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