Back

Safe, Sustainable Classrooms for the Children of Catanduanes

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new program on the island of Catanduanes in the Philippines!

We’re excited to share the launch of our new program on Catanduanes in the Philippines, where we’ll be rebuilding five safe and sustainable classrooms at Obi Integrated School. Alongside these new learning spaces, we’ll also restore toilets to provide students with clean, private facilities that safeguard their health and dignity, helping them focus on what matters most: their education.

AH&H Volunteer walking infront of the old Obi School

But rebuilding is more than bricks and mortar. Alongside construction, we will provide disaster risk reduction training to help communities prepare for future storms, and we are partnering with Streetlight to deliver child protection programs that ensure students are safe and supported both in and out of the classroom.

Debris from the Obi School

This work follows unimaginable loss. In November 2024, Category 5 Super Typhoon Pepito (Man Yi) struck, becoming the fourth super typhoon to devastate the region in just ten days. The storm damaged 263 classrooms and left the Bicol Region in ruins, with countless children suddenly without a safe place to learn.

A building at the Obi School damaged from the typhoon

Now, together, we have the chance to help the community rebuild. By creating safe schools and empowering families with knowledge and resources, we can ensure children in Catanduanes not only return to learning but also thrive in the face of future challenges.

Stay tuned for updates from Obi Integrated School as we begin this journey of recovery and resilience.

Related Stories

Four individuals stand amongst hundreds of bags containing relief items

Aid Delivered in the Philippines After Deadly Earthquake

On the night of September 30, a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines off the coast of Cebu Island, the deadliest to hit the country in over a decade. Days later, the number of lives lost is still unknown, and hospitals are overwhelmed as people have come together to sift through mud and rubble, […]

One Year Since Hurricane Helene

“It’s raining today, and I’m anxious every time it rains,” Marya, a Hurricane Helene survivor, told us. “I don’t trust the mountains to stay where they are. I don’t trust the trees to stay where they are. Rain isn’t just a pretty noise. It’s a threat.” One year ago, Hurricane Helene’s heavy rains and fierce […]

Santa Ana Necoxtla’s School Handover

This weekend, we proudly celebrated the handover of brand-new, sustainable and earthquake-resilient schools and student shelter in Santa Ana Necoxtla, Puebla. Built in partnership with the local community, the project includes Albergue Escolar No. 48 (a student shelter) and upgrades to three nearby schools, benefiting more than 360 children and their families. With safe, sustainable […]