I came to the Philippines 10 months after super-typhoon Haiyan hit the islands of Leyte and Samar. I left Tasmania, Australia looking to do something useful with my time, to learn, for new experiences, for some adventure. These I found, packed into my short time here already, but it is the everyday moments working and living alongside amazing Filipinos and volunteers from around the world that will be driving me along the 300km bike ride I am fundraising for.

Moments that come to mind include the little children of one of our projects who have lost homes, family members and a stable future, coming out everyday to help us dig drainage trenches for hours at time, always with the famous Filipino smile on their faces. A tap on the shoulder and a gentle thank you from a single mother looking after 5 children in the most basic living conditions. Working and laughing (at myself) alongside the ever-cheerful local carpenters and labourers who are always ready to correct my hammer grip or come to the rescue as I struggle with huge bags of cement. Enrapt faces of little girls and boys as they watch Frozen on the big screen for the first time as part of our Little Dreams project. Shelter residents coming in to help us literally get down and dirty amongst the rotting floors of their homes we are replacing. 

In this bike ride I want to honour the people that inspire these memories, of the incredible resilience and warmth of the Filipinos. We are riding to help affected communities throughout Leyte and Samar regain their futures and hope to show that even 12 months on, these communities still need help to rebuild. We also hope to show you the achievements that have already been made by people who have lost so much and introduce you to the warmth and energy of the Filipino people despite the loss of 6300 lives and 1.1 million homes and livelihoods.

All Hands Volunteers is dedicated to helping rebuild and the money raised by the bike ride is just a part of the 1.1 million pesos (US$24,500) , we are aiming to reach and put towards the construction of 9 permanent, typhoon-resistant homes, at a cost of US$3,500 each. Despite long days of exhausting work, on top of training everyday the thought of 9 families rehoused and with homes to get on with their lives in is one of the best motivators. Please consider how much it means to you to have a safe and secure home to wake up in everyday and think about donating to All Hands and myself as I cycle 300km at the height of typhoon season across more potholes then road!  

Visit our Facebook page 'Rise Up Rise On' (https://www.facebook.com/RiseUpRideOn?fref=ts) if you would like to know more about the ride and see a map of the route we will be cycling and the communities we are visiting. I will be keeping you updated on our progress through this Facebook page and my Just Giving page so keep an eye out!

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