By Emma Parkhouse | Director of International Development
When disaster disrupts a child’s education, getting back to school can be an important first step toward restoring routine, safety, and a sense of normalcy. Since the last report, All Hands & Hearts has continued working alongside communities to make that return possible, from rebuilding disaster-resilient schools in the Philippines and Nepal to supporting Education in Emergencies in Colombia and Venezuela, while creating welcoming spaces for students in California whose schools were destroyed by the Eaton wildfire.
Last month in the Philippines, AH&H celebrated the completion of Salvacion Elementary School. Now, the 128 children enrolled have a safe, disaster-resilient campus following the construction of new classrooms, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) facilities, a canteen, water filtration, and a playground. The project also included Child Protection, Mental Health Awareness, and resilience training, helping strengthen the wider school community. Only ten minutes away is Iyao School, also devastated by Typhoon Pepito in 2024 and being rebuilt by AH&H. In October we’ll be celebrating another reopening of a safe, disaster-resilient school!
In our last update we celebrated the completion of Jhunga and Navajyoti schools in Nepal. As we were preparing to restart another school reconstruction devastating floods and mudslides swept through Nuwakot, our team is currently responding to this evolving emergency and is preparing for the next phase of recovery. Over the next two years, we aim to raise $5 million to rebuild 20 schools in the communities that need them most.
In Colombia and Venezuela, education support is taking a different but equally important form. Following the earthquake in Colombia, almost 4,000 educational institutions were damaged, placing 1,014,876 students at risk. As the response phase unfolds AH&H will look to support and restore damaged schools so children can return to routine. We've already cleared debris from one school and plan to support more in the coming weeks and months.
In Venezuela, Children's Kits containing art supplies, toys, and games are helping children cope with trauma in schools and community spaces. At the Alborada Youth Association in Caraballeda, which served 110 students before the earthquakes, the center continues to provide children from preschool through sixth grade with much-needed routine and connection. Providing these kits alleviates some of the trauma these children have faced since the earthquake struck in June.
Together, these efforts show that getting children Back to School is about more than reopening classrooms. It is about creating places where children can learn, play, heal, and feel secure after disaster. With the support of donors, partners, volunteers, and communities, All Hands & Hearts is helping children return to learning today while building safer, stronger, and more resilient schools for tomorrow.
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By Emma Parkhouse | Director of International Development
By Emma Parkhouse | Director of International Development
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