01/09/2026
๐ธ 11-year-old Francheska from Brgy. New Aklan of Glan, Sarangani was at home with her mother and was getting ready for school when the ground began to shake violently. Since that was her first time experiencing such shaking, fear took over almost immediately. But her mother pulled her close, told her to stay calm, and urged her and siblings sisters to pray.
It was also the first time she held on to God at such a young age.
Her family did not escape the damage. First, heavy cracks split their house, especially the kitchen. Second, when her father refused to go back to farm because he was still shaken, which somehow crippled their main source of income. Third, They kept their damaged sari-sari store open even though almost no one in the community could afford to buy anything at that time.
They stretched what little they had so the family could survive.
Meanwhile, Franchesca carried a trauma she could not put into words after watching her community in Brgy. New Aklan be devastated.
Weeks later, PHILRADS, through the funding support of Japan Platform ๏ผใธใฃใใณใปใใฉใใใใฉใผใ ๏ผ, AAR Japan๏ผป้ฃๆฐใๅฉใใไผ๏ผฝ, The Mustard Seed Mission, Tearfund, humedica e.V., and other donors, reached Franchesca and other kids in Brgy. New Aklan of Glan, Sarangani through the Psychosocial Support Activity, where they were encouraged to draw what they saw and felt, which helped them process the experience and were listened by the volunteers intently.
She also received a Go Bag with a helmet, whistle, mini first-aid kit, and other child-appropriate safety items, plus a stuffed toy for comfort when she needs to let something out.
Now, whenever an aftershock comes, Francheska reaches for her Go Bag and keeps it with her. All of this is new to her. But she thanked PHILRADS, saying she felt at ease knowing that someone cared for her and her community.