Doors of opportunity open for Yolanda survivors

MANILA, Philippines - When typhoon Yolanda hit Eastern Visayas, particularly the provinces of Samar and Leyte, the world saw how a super typhoon could easily wipe out towns and cities from the map and leave behind scores of casualties.

Almost two years after, many residents from the typhoon-stricken provinces are now back on their feet, thanks in large part to institutions that made the road to recovery so much easier.

James Hardie, the world leader in fiber cement building products, partnered with De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) to create lasting and effective change on some of the most-badly hit communities.

In rebuilding the communities, James Hardie organized a successful basic carpentry workshop earlier this year where survivors were taught how to install HardieFlex building products and eventually make a living out of their newly acquired skills.

“We wanted to extend help that will have lasting effects for the survivors – something that will be beneficial to them for the rest of their lives,” said James Hardie country manager Mark Sergio. “By holding carpentry workshops, we are teaching them how to be self-sufficient in rebuilding their communities.”

A few months after the workshop, James Hardie and DLSP went back to the community and asked how the carpenters were doing.

“The workshops were really a big help for all of us, especially for people who did not know where to start after their traumatic experiences,” said Danilo Galos, a survivor from one of the partner communities. “The workshops gave us a fresh start. After the training, I landed a job within a week, which was a great help to my family.”

Arturo Moramion shared the same sentiment, saying that learning the right way of installing HardieFlex on timber and metal furring did him some good after it made him a better carpenter. “The training was a big help and I was able to share the new knowledge to my co-carpenters,” he shared.

Meanwhile, for Cesar Moralida and Ricardo Cabiao, the workshop opened doors of opportunity for them after they landed new jobs, which helped them rebuild what was destroyed during the typhoon. “I landed a new job in just a week. The workshop helped me provide for my family,” Cabiao said.

“I’m not a full-time carpenter. However, because of the training given by James Hardie, I am now confident that I have the skills to work as a full-time carpenter,” Moralida said.

Almost two years after the devastation, the communities that benefited from James Hardie and DLSP’s efforts have shown dramatic change. With the participants showing that they are now on the right track, the two institutions are successful in inspiring people to rise above their situation.