In December 2013 we received an email from members of the Major League Baseball Players Trust. They had heard about the earthquake on Bohol and wanted to help. Their generosity included money to repair four schools and to build 50 homes for victims who had lost their homes during the earthquake.
Dennis Drake, Founder of IDEA worked together with the Mayor of Sagbayan to put together a sub-division of 50 homes. These homes were to meet the needs of those that not only lost their homes but also their land as it was deemed unsafe.
The city of Sagbayan donated the land, surveyed the lots and found the beneficiaries. A crew of around 30 deaf and hearing IDEA Philippines workers spent the past year working tirelessly in all kinds of weather to install septics, build roads and houses.
On January 12, 2015 the project was finally finished, Sagbayan Hope Village was born.
A turnover ceremony was planned and the key to the Village was turned over to the Mayor.
There has already been a drawing for each of the beneficiaries to randomly select one of the 50 homes so that there was no favoritism given.
Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate so the ceremony was held in the rain. Although everyone got wet, spirits were high knowing that they were about to be given homes.
We were so grateful for the generosity of the Major League Baseball Players Trust for giving us the opportunity to provide employment for our workers for the past year and homes for those in need.