Back to School After Disaster Strikes

Project Overview

Our recent Back to School efforts have continued to build momentum across Nepal, the Philippines, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Over the past three months, we celebrated the completion of major reconstruction and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) projects at Shree Jhunga Basic School and Shree Navajyoti Secondary School in rural Nepal, helping communities continue their recovery more than a decade after the devastating 2015 earthquakes.

At the same time, reconstruction efforts at Salvacion Elementary School in the Philippines have rapidly progressed following the destruction caused by Typhoons Pepito and Uwan, with new disaster-resilient classrooms, WASH upgrades, and community training activities now well underway.

Alongside these active projects, our Program Development Team recently completed school assessments across Jamaica following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa. These assessments identified significant infrastructure and WASH-related needs in several hard-hit school communities, highlighting both the scale of recovery challenges and the potential opportunities for future support.

From resilient classrooms and clean water systems to community-led recovery and skills training, this period has reflected the importance of long-term investment in safe learning environments for children after disaster.

Back to School Impact

Across Nepal, the Philippines, and Mexico, children and teachers are beginning to experience the results of months of rebuilding, recovery, and resilience-capacity efforts. From disaster-resilient classrooms and safe drinking water systems to improved sanitation and community trainings, these projects are helping schools become safer, healthier places to learn after disaster.

Philippines:

At Salvacion Elementary School in Catanduanes, students and teachers are beginning to see real progress after Typhoons Pepito and Uwan devastated their campus. Reconstruction is now well underway, with four disaster-resilient classrooms under construction alongside repairs to existing classrooms, sanitation upgrades, a new canteen, water filtration systems, and playground improvements.

The rebuild has become a true collective effort. Local masons, volunteers, partners, and families have worked side-by-side to lay foundations, fabricate bamboo wall panels, and strengthen the school for future storms. Trainings in Child Protection, Mental Health Awareness, and resilient construction are also helping foster a safer and more supportive environment for students and families alike.

Nepal:

In Nepal, the completion of projects at Shree Jhunga Basic School and Shree Navajyoti Secondary School marked a major milestone for two rural communities still recovering from the 2015 earthquakes. Together, these projects delivered six disaster-resilient classrooms, upgraded WASH facilities by implementing water filtration systems and improved sanitation infrastructure, as well as installing a new playground supporting nearly 400 students and staff.

Beyond infrastructure, the projects focused on building long-term resilience through Disaster Risk Reduction, WASH, Child Protection, and Female Mason Training programs. These initiatives not only strengthened school safety and preparedness, but also helped empower local women with valuable construction and leadership skills that continue to benefit their communities beyond the rebuild itself.

Mexico:

In Puebla, Mexico, All Hands & Hearts partnered with Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla Primary School and Amado Nervo High School to strengthen access to safe water, sanitation, and health education in communities historically impacted by water scarcity.

Across both schools, the program installed two Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWHS), capable of capturing approximately 446,249 liters of water annually, alongside filtration systems designed to provide students and teachers with reliable access to safe drinking water throughout the school year. The project also included repairs to sanitation facilities, helping improve safe and hygienic access for girls, boys, and students with disabilities.

Alongside these infrastructure improvements, students, parents, and school staff participated in trainings focused on water care, filtration adoption, wellbeing, and healthy practices, helping schools build healthier habits and stronger resilience for the future.

There’s More to Come in 2026! 

In the coming months, All Hands & Hearts will continue advancing Back to School recovery efforts across disaster-impacted communities in the Philippines, Mexico, and Nepal, while also exploring opportunities for future support in Jamaica.

In Catanduanes, preparations are now underway to begin reconstruction at Iyao School, located just down the road from Salvacion Elementary School. Building on the momentum from Salvacion, this next project will help strengthen learning environments for communities recovering from repeated typhoon impacts.

Meanwhile, following recent post-hurricane assessments in Jamaica, our teams are engaging with local stakeholders and evaluating opportunities to address critical infrastructure and WASH needs in affected schools. Potential interventions could include repairs to water systems, sanitation facilities, kitchens, classrooms, and playgrounds to help improve safety and daily learning conditions for students and teachers.

We are deeply grateful to the community members, donors, partners, and volunteers whose support continues to help get children “Back to School.” Together, you are helping create safer learning environments, stronger communities, and more resilient futures for children around the world.

Links:

• Rebuilding Salvacion School, Philippines
• Before & After School Rebuilds in Nepal
• Meet the Female Masons who Build our Schools!