A Place to Call Home

The Philippines, home to 7,641 islands where Juliana lives is a place of constant battle against the elements – typhoons, earthquakes, flooding and volcanic eruptions. Any child's upbringing in this environment defines not only the challenges of nature but also the poverty looming around. Yet, I'm truly inspired by her spirited determination to overcome and be force for change in the world. At tender age of 9, she understands the importance of protecting our environment and species living on the planet.

Some of you may know that Juliana has been the face of CI marketing campaigns to raise funds for dental care and awareness of mental wellbeing. As her sponsor, the inevitable fame of her sensational "acting career" has put me in a responsible position to do something special for the family.

The family of Juliana lives in the house of their paternal grandparents since she was born. In 2018, the family decided to have their own home just beside the grandparents’ house. Relatives who own the land have allowed them to construct a house as part of their land inheritance. Every time the family would save some money, they secure materials for its construction. They were able to construct posts with unfinished walling.

Late last year, I decided to help fund the continuation of the unfinished work of the family’s dream house, which was their top priority at the time. While we are not yet out of the woods with Covid, the house construction was a great opportunity for people who were struggling to find work during this time.

As planned, the family and staff went ahead with the project to construct the walls plus windows, install metal sheets for the roofing, and concreting the floor. They already identified skilled labor to do the work, and the hardware materials were purchased through the CI agency accredited vendors.

When I just received the final report, I was overwhelmed to see Juliana in her new home.. a more comfortable and safer place to live; can feel myself living inside right there! I wasn’t expecting things to have progressed at such rapid pace, and for the housewarming how wonderful to bring full of food inside to an auspicious moment of celebration.

And finally I’m blessed to have and support this beautiful family in the program. A massive thanks to everyone involved in overseeing and persevering with the project at this very difficult time.