Being the strongest typhoon of 2012, Typhoon Pablo has left lives shattered in North Mindanao. But, if there is any consolation, it has revealed that even in the cruelest times, unwavering relationships still exist.

“I thank God that my friend allowed me and family to stay in his house after the typhoon.

I am old and I can no longer do much,” said Pedro Quait who shared how Typhoon Pablo has even strengthened his friendship with his best friend even after his house crumpled down in front of him.

“I hope the eclipse will not happen this December 21,” child survivor of Typhoon Pablo, Jason says. 

This has been a Christmas hope and wish of 8-year-old Jason shared during the child-friendly space activity in Agusan del Sur.

Five year-old Kent Matthew sings the tune right but he’s trying to remember the exact lyrics of the song while his friends cheer him on. His friends chuckled even more as Kent persists shaking his hips, rolling his eyes and head, trying to complete the song he just learned during  the World Vision’s Child Friendly Space (CFS) program.

Room 2 is the typical 40-square meter Grade 2 classroom of Lunaib Elementary School used on regular school days. After Typhoon Washi (local name Sendong) destroyed hundreds of houses in Hinaplanon, Iligan City, all these classrooms including the gymnasium were converted into evacuation centers to  shelter more than 300 affected families.

^{For more amazing stories of hope from young survivors, click here.}   

Dec 29, 2011, Cagayan de Oro City – “We’re blessed to be here.”  Celebrity teen hearthrobs and World Vision Ambassadors for children Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos couldn’t help their overflowing joy for the opportunity to participate in the culminating activity of the Child Friendly Space (CFS) in the evacuation center situated in the village of Macasandig. “This is my second time to join World Vision relief efforts. The first one was Ondoy’s (Ketsana) CFS activity. “My concern for the children brought me here,” Sam says.

“Sometimes, you have to fall from the mountain to realize, what you are climbing for.
Obstacles are placed in our way to see if what we want is really worth fighting for.
From every wound there’s a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says:
I was deeply wounded, but I survived because God is with me all this time.
Coz in life, all things will leave you; but God will always be there for you.
All the blessings that we have, despite the calamity that we are facing now. Life must go on.
God always has something for us.
A way for every problem, a light for every shadow, a relief for every sorrow.
May we feel the real essence of Christmas and that is Jesus Christ. 
I love you. I love you.” 
~Ara, young Sendong survivor

The Child Friendly Space (CFS) aims to help the children realize that they have the right to be protected especially in times of disaster.  In the second day of CFS that was launched in the hardest hit village of Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro, the kids grouped according to their age and were encouraged to draw an impression of  their ideal house which symbolizes assurance, security and safety for them.
 

A day after Christmas, Salim’s face beams with joy as he rides on the grocery cart being pushed by his mother Melanie, 39. The mother and child were among the affected families who received food and non-food relief items through “gift certificates” facilitated by World Vision (WV) in partnership with Robinson's supermarket in Cagayan de Oro.  For that moment, six year old Salim could only have fun and a joyride on a shopping cart, gliding along the colorful hallways in the grocery store. But for his mother, he is a boy coping from the tragic calamity that happened in their village a week before. 

You can help families such as Melanie's! Send your help now! 

“It’s like a party.” This is how 11-year old Harvey describes  the second day of Child friendly Space at Macadandig Tennis Court, Macasandig Cagayan de Oro City. ^{Send your help now!}