For the past two months I’ve been volunteering in the Philippines, in the city of Tacloban, an area devastated by Typhoon Yolanda. Nearly one year on, thousands of families are still without adequate housing, with many continuing to live in tents on the outskirts of the city. All Hands is working to change this – we’ve already build 146 temporary homes, but there is so much more to be done.

As a team we are aiming to raise 1.1million pesos ($25,188.92) – 1 peso for every home that was destroyed during the Typhoon. With this money we can rebuild nine permanent, core homes for nine families. These homes are built directly in the family’s community, not in a temporary housing site, meaning there is minimal disruption in terms of work, education and community life.

We have already raised over $7000 by completing a fun run in Tacloban, and in November six of our volunteers are cycling over 300km as part of ‘Rise Up: Ride On’, to trace the path of Typhoon Yolanda and raise awareness for families who are still displaced. 

For the next 30 days all volunteers on Project Leyte are pushing to raise as many funds as possible so that we can hit our 1.1million peso target! I’ll be taking part in “30 Days of Fun’d – Challenge Accepted” – where you can nominate me to do any challenge, in return for sponsorship to raise money to build a new permanent home. I will literally do anything in return for some sweet $$$s – I’ve even pledged to run in the next fun run if people donate (and everyone knows how much I hate running – imagine me doing it in the humidity of the Philippines) Every single £1 will help in our goal of rebuilding these nine homes, and I’d be so grateful to anyone willing to donate even a small amount.

I was supposed to leave this city after three weeks, and I’m now entering my third month here. This is testament to the generosity and courage of local community members, and the constant hard work of my fellow volunteers. Please consider giving a few ££s to reach our 1.1million peso target, and help nine families re-build a safe, structurally sound home.