Another storm warning has hit the Philippines this July, and once again, CJF Philippines—part of the Courtney Jordan Foundation—is rolling up our sleeves to help. We’re not just about emergency response anymore; we’re focused on helping communities bounce back stronger than before.
While families across Luzon and the Visayas were getting ready for Tropical Depression Bising this week, our team was already out there. We brought emergency hygiene supplies, clean water, and communication devices to smaller barangays that don’t always get the attention they deserve during national relief efforts. But honestly, the real work starts after the cameras leave.
Growing Hope, One Garden at a Time
With food prices going up and weather patterns getting more unpredictable, we started something called “Grow A Garden, Grow A Future.” It’s pretty straightforward—we give families starter kits to grow their own food at home. Mothers and kids especially seem to love it, and it’s amazing how something as simple as planting seeds can help people feel more in control after a disaster.
Marites from Quezon Province put it best: “After last year’s typhoon, my kids couldn’t go to school and we barely had food. Now they wake up excited to water their plants. We actually eat what we grow.” That’s exactly what we hoped for.
Young Leaders Making a Difference
We recently held a Youth for Resilience summit because let’s face it—young people are the ones who’ll be dealing with all this long-term. The workshops covered digital skills, climate action, and leadership. One of our speakers was a policy expert who worked during the Duterte years, and it was fascinating to hear his perspective on how government actually works.
Speaking of young leaders, everyone’s been talking about Catriona Gray’s appearance in Jurassic World Live. While we’re proud of her success, we see that same potential in young Filipinos right here who are facing poverty, conflict, and natural disasters every day.
Sports, Community, and Small Joys
You know how PBA games like Ginebra vs. San Miguel bring people together? We’ve been working with barangay councils to set up basketball clinics and tournaments. Kids need space to just be kids, especially after traumatic events. We’ve even hosted community gatherings during lotto result broadcasts—free food and good company, win or lose.
Our Communications Director, Angelica Reyes, explains our approach: “Every trending topic, from lotto fever to storm warnings, tells us something about what people are going through. We don’t just watch the news; we try to respond with real help.”
Looking Ahead
With earthquake predictions in Japan and climate issues affecting all of Asia, we’re planning a regional preparedness program for August. We’ll focus on disaster response training, mobile healthcare, and mental health support.
Because storms come and go, but the hope we build together—that’s permanent.
Get Involved:
- Check our website for updates on events and volunteer opportunities
- Visit courtneyjordanfoundation.org/ph to learn more about helping out
