Earthquake update from Denny

Lindie and I arrived ready to hit the ground about mid-day on the 28th. Our purpose was and continues to be validating the needs and determining appropriate responses to these needs.

We have a remarkable group of 10 young adults primarily of college age who have become close to us since they were toddlers. MOM has helped them and their families. Now they want the privilege of helping others. They have become the surveyors of needs in various barrios. Each earthquake affected families has been visited by them, interviews have been conducted and pictures taken. They are very excited to help in any effective way. Their focus has now become what can they do to help others not on what help can they receive.

The youth have accompanied Lindie an I to the most affected areas of Bohol. We have seen and documented hundreds of homes completely devastated, persons injured and over 200 deaths. Thousands are living under tarps and tents because their homes are destroyed or unsafe to enter. They sleep outside even if their home is not damaged for fear that over 2,000 aftershocks (continuing) will cause their home to finally fall.

Each of our young partners in this survey will be soon share their experience in words and pictures. Already they have determined that tarps and transitional housing are the most immediate need. Food and water are now readily available so relief efforts need to be concentrated on building safe haven until the re-building process can begin.

This is a marvelous opportunity to share Christ’s mandate to love others and “do”. Meaning we can survey, evaluate but we need to get past the analysis and into the doing. This is not about promoting any particular organization or church. It is only about behaving as Christ commands and help with any return obligation.

We have seen the devastation. We have seen the homeless and helpless. We have participated in information gathering from international agencies and local government relief agencies. We have met and presented to the Loboc City Council and informed them of our purpose.

They are at our backs and ready to guide us to the most needy and helpless.

Our roles are numerous but the most important is to gain your trust by coming here and seeing first hand the needs and gathering the information needed to verify the most critical inputs.

These needs will change over time, but the most immediate needs are:

1. Providing large tarps to serve as shelter immediately.
2. Fund the construction of modular transitional housing in partnership with I.D.E.A. (International Deaf Education Association)
3. Begin the process of building permanent and affordable structures that can be expanded on by each family as they are financially able. Our investment is the construction of a core family home impervious to rain, wind and termites. The materials will largely be cement flooring, one meter hollow block walls topped with 1.5 meter metal stud walls The metal will be covered with hardiflex board covered with amcan, a woven 4X8 piece of bamboo skin. The roof will be constructed of metal “C” channel and covered with G.I. roofing.

We are in the midst of pricing these materials and the total cost of the permanent housing. More later on that soon.

The transitional housing would last for 3-4 years only, but would give families shelter while they re-build. This cost is approximate $400.00 each for the kit and the construction which takes a few hours to build in place.

Thank you for your thoughtful and prayerful consideration to help Filipinos in desperate need.

We assure you that your contributions will be used ONLY for direct relief to impacted families No administrative costs or transportation costs of those traveling from the U.S. to Bohol to help, will be funded by your contributions.

Your support will be needed for many months to come as re-construction begins. But right now your help is needed to help these hurting and very appreciative people to survive in these critical days moving from crisis to a new beginning.

God Bless you each one as you consider this validated opportunity to give!

Lindie and Denny Freed