Further to yesterday's post about my book "Making a Difference", I have created an album around the school building project in Bani, Philippines. 100% of all profit collected from 'Making A Difference" is being donated to my Padua Charitable Fund's "Fountain of Love" school building project.
The Fountain of Love (or "Burubor-ni-Ayat") story is incredible. It was on a beautiful beach in Bani where lived 600 "informal settlers". Happy in their thriving fishing community, they refused to leave their seaside homes as a typhoon was about to make landfall. One hour before the storm, their beloved Mayor left his family and went down to the beach in one last attempt to get them to leave. Finally, one family stepped forward and into the truck, then another and another. Soon everyone was accounted for and on their way. However, just as they were heading out on the road to safety, the typhoon came their way. Windows were blown through their vehicles and trees went down blocking their path. Everyone huddled together and lay low as rooftops and debris flew past.
The region was devastated by the storm but every person including those from the fishing village miraculously survived. As for their homes on the beach? They had all been washed into the sea.
The fishing community survivors lived in tents donated by the British for one year before they were rehoused in new brick homes on a pretty hillside in Bani. They called their village Fountain of Love - because it was built on just that.
I recently visited the Fountain of Love and spent time with the 100 children living at the village. Taken by the humble community, their story, kindness and generosity, I have pledged to raise funds to build them a much-needed school. Mayor Navarro has kindly donated a perfect plot for the typhoon-proof school/multi-purpose centre. $5,000 USD is needed for the building materials and any remains will go towards the upkeep.
Please support and buy a book, like or simply share. Donations can be made directly to: donate@paduacharitablefund.org
Making a Difference:
Happy Christmas!
Please support my first book collaboration "Making a Difference" available at www.rachelgrant.org 100% of all profit is being donated to my "Fountain of Love" school building project in Bani, Philippines. Donations can be made via paypal to: donate@paduacharitablefund.org. I want to highlight that ALL funds go directly to the project and ALL charity workers are volunteers. $5,000 USD (£3,100) is needed for the construction and any more will go towards the upkeep. Any organisation or person interested in taking on the bulk of the cost can have the school/an award/scholarship named at their choice and can come and visit too! Children from the community are featured on the cover of the book.
How did it happen?
I recently visited the Fountain of Love village and spent time with the 100 children living there. Taken by the humble community, their story, kindness, gratitude and generosity, I pledged to raise funds to build them a much-needed school. Mayor Marcello Navarro has kindly donated a perfect plot for the typhoon-proof school/multi-purpose centre - so the land has been given to us for free! Wow :)
Their story..
The Fountain of Love (or "Burubor-ni-Ayat") story is incredible. It was on a beautiful beach in Bani where lived 600 "informal settlers". Happy in their thriving fishing community, they refused to leave their seaside homes as typhoon Emong was about to make landfall in 2010. One hour before the storm, their beloved Mayor Navarro left his family and went down to the beach in one last attempt to get them to leave. Finally, one family stepped forward and into the truck, then another and another. Soon everyone was accounted for and on their way. However, as the Mayor and the villagers were out on the road heading to safety, typhoon Emong made landfall. Windows were blown through their vehicles and trees went down blocking their path. Everyone huddled together and lay low as rooftops and debris flew past. The region was devastated by the storm but every person including those from the fishing village miraculously survived. And their homes on the beach? They had all been washed away. The fishing community survivors lived in donated tents for one year until they were rehoused in new brick homes on a pretty hillside in Bani. They called their village Fountain of Love - because it was built on just that.
If you're not in a position to buy a book or donate, a "like". "comment" or "share" can give power to the project in other ways :)
Thank you and Happy Christmas :)
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