ESFDB STUCCO helps with typhoon relief efforts

No doubt people have been following the tragic situation in the Philippines due to the supertyphoon that hit on Nov. 8, claiming innocent lives and left thousands homeless.

Relief efforts are in high gear in the aftermath of supertyphoon Haiyan (Yolanda).

The United States has donated millions of dollars in the past weeks.

More than a dozen charities nationwide are raising funds to help victims of the storm, which left hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes and millions in need of basic necessities like food and water.

In the CNMI, government agencies, local groups, schools, and churches are mounting a major relief effort to help victims of the Philippine typhoon.

To join in the relief efforts, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja student council officers spearheaded a coin drive to help raise funds for the typhoon victims. The funds raised by the student council officers will be earmarked for supporting relief operations in the Philippines hardest hit by the typhoon.

According to school principal Carmen H. Atalig, “I am touched by our student council officers leading a major drive to assist the Philippines. I admire their efforts.”

“I want to express to the people in the Philippines that are victims of the storm of our sensitivity to this enormous tragedy. The amount of money solicited is not the greatest in the world, but we want to demonstrate that we care, and we want to be an example for other school entities that will also contribute,” added Atalig.

“Pray for strength for those who are still stranded, low on food and water and are feeling helpless. This is such a great opportunity to help in the name of Jesus Christ,” added student council and 4th-6th grade adviser Mary Rose Lucero.

“When you watch on TV about the typhoon victims, you feel helpless, but sometimes you just have to be strong and take action to help. Right now, we the student council officers are taking action by asking our loving and giving Luta community to donate for a cause,” said student council president Angelica Lucero.

“During our coin drive, we have lots of people on Rota with good hearts,” said student council vice president Loreville Clitar.

“We are grateful for the Rota people’s generosity and compassion following what has been called one of the strongest storms in world history,” said student council public relations officer Marnecia Hocog.

“Regardless of who you are, where you’re from, what you believe in, as true Catholics we should be united as one to help our fellow brothers and sisters,” added student council secretary Tyra Reese Calvo.

“Because it’s the season of giving, the people of Rota gave to the people of the Philippines. Thank you for helping my countrymen,” said student council member Angelo Lucero.

“The wonderful people of the Philippines have suffered much in this disaster and deserve all the help we can give. I am impressed by our school student council officers for leading the drive and going out to the Luta community to solicit support,” said student council adviser and school board president Edward Maratita, Jr.

Supertyphoon Haiyan is one of the most powerful typhoons in recorded history to ever hit land and likely the deadliest natural disaster to plague the Philippines.

The ESFDB administration and board of directors would like to express their appreciation to the STUCO officers and the Luta community for their generous donations.[I] (Edward Maratita, Jr.)[/I]