Hope in the Philippines: Turning Relief into Renewal
When a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Northern Cebu on September 30, 2025, it left behind more than cracked roads and damaged homes, leaving communities shaken in every sense. Families in the upland barangays of Tabogon found themselves suddenly displaced, living in temporary shelters made of salvaged materials. Access to clean water, electricity, and even basic hygiene became a daily challenge.
Just weeks later, an aftershock compounded the damage. Entire neighborhoods, from Ilihan to Labangon to Kal-anan, faced the long road of recovery with little more than determination and faith.
In the wake of these events, Give to the World joined hands once again with our trusted partner in the Philippines, MARADECA (Maranao People Development Center, Inc.), to launch a targeted emergency relief effort for 360 families most affected by the earthquake.
Partnership at Work
This initiative isn’t just about providing kits or materials; it’s about people helping people, across continents, through trust and shared purpose.
MARADECA has long been a respected community-based organization in Mindanao, and their reach into regional networks allows us to respond quickly and effectively in moments like this. Together, we’re ensuring that families in Tabogon receive essential Non-Food Item (NFI) kits, including hygiene supplies, household goods, and basic shelter repair materials, so they can restore safety and dignity to their homes.
Because MARADECA’s teams live and work in these communities, they bring more than logistics; they bring empathy, local knowledge, and the kind of cultural understanding that makes recovery sustainable.
Relief with Dignity
Every distribution in this project is more than an act of aid, it’s a moment of connection. Mothers are receiving clean water containers and soap so they can protect their children’s health. Elderly residents are getting blankets, sleeping mats, and mosquito nets to make nights safer and more comfortable.
And perhaps most importantly, families are beginning to rebuild, not just their homes, but their sense of stability and hope.
““The new tarp and ropes mean we can sleep under shelter again,” shared one resident from Barangay Ilihan. “It may not be much, but it means everything to us.””
The Power of Partnership
At Give to the World, we believe real impact happens when local leadership meets global solidarity. Our partnership with MARADECA is built on mutual respect, transparency, and shared values and it’s exactly this kind of relationship that allows aid to reach the people who need it most, without delay or red tape.
Thanks to the efficiency and compassion of MARADECA’s team, this project will be completed within a single month, from procurement to distribution, ensuring that families are supported before the year ends.
A Shared Effort of Generosity
This response has only been possible because of the generosity of GTTW’s donors and supporters. Every contribution, large or small, has a direct, visible impact on the lives of those who are rebuilding after disaster.
Your support helps us not just deliver supplies but strengthen the partnerships that make resilience possible. Together, we’re proving that distance doesn’t diminish compassion, it amplifies it.
Looking Forward
As recovery continues, we remain committed to sharing updates from MARADECA’s field teams, including stories of families rebuilding their lives and communities finding hope again.
To all who have donated and shared in this mission, thank you. Your kindness travels farther than you know, reaching the hills of Tabogon and the hearts of those finding their way forward after loss.
