Restoring Access to Education, Bicol, Philippines

Project Overview

The Obi Integrated School project has been successfully completed, restoring safe access to education for 299 vulnerable K–9 students in the storm-prone region of Bicol, Catanduanes Island. The final phase of the project required intensive coordination, with teams working long days under challenging weather conditions to ensure all deliverables were completed on time. Despite these constraints, the project concluded with a positive and celebratory handover to the Obi communityThis project was designed to address storm-damaged, overcrowded, and unsafe learning environments by delivering resilient infrastructure, WASH improvements, and child-centered spaces that support long-term educational stability.

Key Achievements

The project delivered all planned infrastructure and community assets, including:

• Five sustainable classrooms, completed and formally handed over
• One toilet block with four cubicles, improving sanitation and dignity
• A full drainage system, enhancing site safety and resilience
• Two playground areas, providing safe recreational spaces for children
• Community murals, created by volunteers to foster a vibrant learning environment
• Final installation of a BioSand water filtration system, completed during ramp-down with support from a WASH consultant

These interventions directly addressed the unsafe conditions previously disrupting classes and exposing students and staff to health risks.

Team & Volunteer Contributions

The success of the Obi project was made possible through the dedication and determination of staff and volunteers. Volunteers played a particularly meaningful role in community engagement activities, including the creation of murals that brought character, pride, and ownership to the school environment.

Community Engagement & Handover

The handover ceremony was a joyful celebration with the Obi community, marked by dancing, laughter, and shared appreciation. Despite challenging weather conditions, the event reflected the strong relationships built throughout the program. The community’s warmth and hospitality made the farewell especially emotional for both the team and volunteers, reinforcing the value of community-led recovery approaches.

Challenges & Resilience

The final implementation phase presented notable challenges, including adverse weather and a compressed timeline. These obstacles were overcome through strong teamwork, flexibility, and collective problem-solving, demonstrating the resilience of both the project team and the community.

Program Close-Out & Impact

All ramp-down activities have been completed, including final WASH installations and technical consultant visits. The Obi Integrated School project now stands as a completed Back to School initiative, delivering:

• Safer, storm-resilient learning environments
• Improved sanitation, water access, and child wellbeing
• Increased confidence among families to send children to school
• A stronger foundation for attendance, learning continuity, and long-term educational outcomes

Overall, the project represents a significant success characterized by meaningful impact, strong partnerships, and shared accomplishment between All Hands and Hearts, donors, volunteers, and the Obi community.

Closing

Thank you to all donors, partners, volunteers, and community members who supported this project. Your contributions have helped ensure that children at Obi Integrated School can continue learning, growing, and thriving in a safe and resilient environment.