Kalibo, a province of Aklan, Philippines is a vibrant and thriving capital town. It has a population of over 90,000 people and is constantly growing. 

Every year, many poor families suffer from homelessness due to natural disasters and poverty. After the fury of the most devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines in November of 2013, millions of houses, schools, and facilities were damaged and destroyed. The municipality of Kalibo, Aklan, was among those severely affected by the disaster, leaving thousands of families homeless and suffering from the effects of the typhoon. HOPE worldwide Philippines has been extending help in the province of Aklan since December 2013 by providing emergency relief supplies and educating children and communities through Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

In 2018, a group of HVC volunteers came to this region to assist in disaster relief efforts. Participants on the 2025 HVC will continue to make an impact by continuing these efforts, contributing to the following HOPEww programs and special projects in the area:

• Community Livelihood Assistance Program (CLAP): this program provides financial and training support to vulnerable communities to give them access to work opportunities and help them start income-generating businesses, improving their livelihoods through financial stability. 

• Child Protection Advocacy: we will lead sessions on childhood safety and abuse prevention. We will also create a “child’s rights” mural.

• Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Program: participants will run typhoon preparedness and response activities to serve the most vulnerable communities.

• Special Project: we are in the process of building a new Center of Hope building in Aklan which will be in its final stages at the beginning of HVC. Part of our activities include painting, fencing, and landscaping the new center as well as building a hydroponics system and garden.