Typhoon “Frank” Fengshen hit the greater Manila area of the Philippine Islands on Sunday, June 19, damaging homes of children and the Grace Family Helper Project (GFHP) workers, Children of Promise in the Philippines.  Dr. Ofelia Viray, director of the program, was in Anderson, Indiana for the North American Convention of the Church of God and the first Convention of Children of Promise Sponsors in Racine, Wisconsin, when the storm hit.

Because of the flooding and the construction of the shanty-like homes, the Grace Family Helper Project staff found assessing the damages quite challenging.  Six children in the program have lost their homes and personal belongings:  Melchor Ferrer, Lorilyn Martines, Mark Joven Banganal, Quinie Ventinilla, Melissa Jamon, and Ladylyn Combiene.  The home of Micah Joy Formaran lost its roofing and the homes of Mariedelle Ofalla and Mark Joseph Ofalla were lost as well.  Program volunteers and staff suffered losses due  to damage or flooding.

Dr. Ofelia Viray estimates the damages to children’s homes and personal belongings totals over $16,000 US.  This figure includes over-the-counter and prescription medicines to fight the diseases which naturally follow this type of disaster.  Families served by Children of Promise (GFHP) have had no choice but to wade through waist-high water to reach their homes; this has led to outbreak of diarrhea, pneumonia, colds, fevers, and coughs. 

“Fortunately, building materials, medicines, and clean water are all available in the Philippines; however, these items are often out-of-reach for the poorest in society.  Without the organizations like Children of Promise, many children and their families would find themselves at grave risk,” explains Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director of Children of Promise.

Dr. Maxfield joins Dr. Viray in appealing to Children of Promise sponsors and donors to help these Church of God families recover from the devastating losses they have suffered. 

Updated information on the relief effort will be released to the public as it becomes available.

If you would like to help the Philippines, you may make a special donation to the Children of Promise Emergency Fund, earmarked for the Philippines. You may do this by visiting our website at www.echildrenofpromise.org (select Sponsor/Support and then select Make a Contribution), or you may call the Children of Promise national office at 800-848-2464 ext. 2190, and make a contribution using your debit or credit card. All other donations should be mailed to Children of Promise, P. O. Box 2316, Anderson, IN 46018.