“I didn’t have doubts that our ADRA-built house is strong and can protect us. But just to make sure, I asked my brother to tie our shelter to a tree, just like what my neighbors are doing with their houses every time a storm comes.”

Rosemarie Malate, 29, a mother of two in Brgy. Baybay, Makato, Aklan, was very relieved to see her house still intact after Typhoon Ruby. She and her family stayed inside the house during the storm. With food prepared, they safely waited until the howling of the wind was over.

Aklan province was placed under Signal No. 2.

Rosemarie is just one of the 20 beneficiaries of the BUILD Project of ADRA Philippines and ADRA Czech Republic in this particular barangay in Makato. The project constructed transitional shelters for more than a hundred families who lost their homes due to Typhoon Yolanda last year. ADRA United Kingdom and ADRA Norway also supported the project.

“I’m grateful that the house ADRA built helped us survive another storm. I would not want to go through the experience of being homeless again,” she said.