“Quality and durability” were often mentioned in speeches during the turn over ceremony of six classrooms at Baysag and Libas Elementary schools  in the Municipality of Lavezares (Northern Samar) on April 7.

Mayor Quintin Saludaga welcomed  Mr. Raoul Imbach, Chargé d’Affairs a.i. of the Swiss Embassy, who  visited for the official turn over of the new facilities  to the Department of Education.  He was accompanied by a NACSEARelief delegation, consisting of the President Urs Hebeisen, Project Manager Ms Marlene Datario as well as ALPS (Aid Line Philippines Swiss) secretary Mrs Mabelle Bagtas.

Indeed the classrooms are of the excellent workmanship, the Swiss have a reputation for. Construction was realized in cooperation with YES-move President  Mr. Rodel C. Cuyco.

The Swiss Government through DEZA and the Swiss Embassy in Manila are active in supporting  reconstruction  of typhoon hit Schools in Northern Samar ever since 1992. The visiting Delegation was welcomed with great enthusiasm by officers of local government, members of the faculty, parents and children waving Swiss flags in honor of the Embassy official and his party.  Dances and offering of local delicacies as well as prayers and messages of appreciation filled the program. At the end the Mayor treated the guests for a tour around the famous Biri Rock formations. We wish Northern Samar a Typhoon free time ahead and thus uninterrupted development of its great potential.

Again the spirit of “Bayanihan” is evident. Successful projects are not just a matter of finances but active cooperation of all people and sectors. Yes, the foreign funds are important but without the dedication of  all concerned, from government to people, from NGO to volunteer workers, suppliers and service providers,  parents, children, all must work hand in hand as one community with one focus: a sustainable future and  wellbeing  for all. That is, what humanitarian aid is all about.

NACSEARelief, a Philippine NGO and  representative of NAK-humanitas of Switzerland and other charity organization connected with the New Apostolic Church worldwide, participated in  the Northern Samar reconstruction after the typhoon ‘Yolanda’ catastrophe with an engagement of total PHP 5,8 Million as follows:  Bani Elementary School (1 Bldg 2 Classroom) and Urdaneta Elementary School (1 Bldg 2 Classroom), Classrooms complete with furniture and sanitary facilities funded by ‘humanitas’ Switzerland.

Furthermore,  Libas Elementary School (1 Bldg 2 Classroom) and Baysag Elementary School (2 Bldg 4 Classroom) complete Classrooms  funded by ‘nak-karitativ’