Kindness can occasionally appear in the most unlikely places. Amidst Super Typhoon Haiyan's devastating damages in November 2013, many children in Leyte were left without anything, including a pencil to write. But what began as a simple online raffle a week before the storm turned into a beautiful story of hope, compassion, and friendship.
It was late October 2013 when I randomly came across a woman named Beverly on Facebook. She was from the Philippines and living in the United States and was holding an online Halloween raffle for children, asking moms to share pictures of their kids in costumes. I joined the raffle just for fun and submitted a photo of my daughter. To my surprise, my daughter won. Beverly was kind and sweet, and we exchanged a few friendly messages after the contest.
Only a week later, on November 8, 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) hit the Philippines. It was one of the most intense storms ever recorded. Our town, Isabel, in Leyte, was not spared. We may not have been hit as hard as Tacloban, but the aftermath was nonetheless painful: damaged homes, no electricity, and many children without school supplies or even a safe place to play. It was a time for survival, not celebration.
Months have gone by. Over time, communities struggled to rebuild. Beverly messaged me again around December of 2014. She had been following the story and recognized me—not just as the mother of the girl who won the Halloween raffle she held, but also as someone from Leyte. She wanted to help. She did not hesitate. She inquired about a school in our town where she might donate school supplies and gifts to children devastated by Haiyan. She told me she might be coming home by February and told me that a Filipino community wished to extend their help also to the kids in small ways they can do.
Inside the boxes were the school supplies and toys prepared for distribution
I was moved by her offer. We didn’t know each other well, but here she was, someone from across the world, reaching out with so much heart. So I coordinated with a local public school in our town, and they welcomed the idea with open arms. The kids had lost so much—some lost their homes, others lost family. Many of them stopped schooling temporarily after the typhoon. A small gift could mean so much to them.
The recipients were excited and happy while taking those simple gifts.
The parents were as happy as the kids.
A few weeks later, sometime in March of 2014 Beverly and her team of friends which they call themselves TEAM UNITED FILIPINOS traveled all the way from Manila to Isabel via RORO—a long and tiring journey. But they did it with smiles on their faces and a mission in their hearts. They arrived early in the morning and spent the whole day with us. I was so pleased and humbled when she asked me to change and gave me a shirt that they wore and told me that I belong to the team so we should wear the same.
The teachers are showing Beverly what the kids prepared as their way of being grateful to her.
The principal handing the "thank you" notes to Beverly.
That day, I saw how a simple act of kindness, such as a Halloween raffle, may grow to something far bigger. It connected two mothers from different parts of the world. It offered delight to children who had been through so much. It reminded everyone in the neighborhood that even when the world seems broken, there are still people who care.
The grateful teachers.
Posed before saying goodbye.
Beverly and I kept in touch for a while afterward. Even though we live far apart, I will never forget what she done for our community.Her visit brought more than just school supplies--- it brought healing, joy, and hope.
Happy Easter, everyone!❤️🙏
