HELP BASHER FAMILY REBUILD AFTER SUPER TYPHOON
What Typhoon?
On 16 December 2021, Typhoon Rai (locally named Odette) wreaked havoc across my favourite place in the world — Siargao Island in the Philippines. The category 5 super typhoon completely flattened most of the island, homes were destroyed, families were made homeless, livelihoods were lost and people died.
Video of the typhoon and the aftermath
- Raw footage and aftermath
- The seven days after Rai
- Sports stadium roof flying off
- Before and after
Who is the Basher Family?
Siargao holds a very special place in my heart, as does one local family — the Basher family. I met Bogskie Basher surfing when I first visited the island in 2016. As the sun was setting during my first surf on the island, this local surfer paddled over, said hello to my friend and me, and introduced himself as Bogs. We shared the final few waves and as we paddled back to shore, Bogs asked us if we would like to come back to his house to meet his family. We did. Their house was one dimly lit room that slept five. There was a small cooking stove in the corner, a well for water out the back and no toilet. We ended up spending all night at his house. Elisa (Bogs' wife) made us an amazing dinner. We met their kids Adrian, Ella and Maher, who were then 12, 10 and 4.
Every time I go back to Siargao, I also go to visit the Basher family. They've dropped me off at the airport to say goodbye, driven to the opposite side of the island to help me, given me local medical remedies to fix unhealing injuries. I even spent a Christmas with them. However, more than anything, the Basher family has shown me the best side of humanity. This family, who have little in material goods, have given me (and many others) more than any amount of money can buy. Their warmth, generosity and friendship are unmatched.
What now?
The typhoon has entirely destroyed their house — all that is left is the floor. They are currently seeking shelter with two other families who have also lost their homes. There are three families in one small house, which managed to stay standing, albeit damaged.
Their surf shop, located at the famous Cloud 9 boardwalk, no longer exists — washed away along with the boardwalk. Their rental surfboards were either destroyed or damaged. Their livelihoods have been shattered.
How we can help
After the typhoon, it took over a week to hear from Bogs that he and his family were okay — but for a few injuries. Electricity, phone lines and the internet were, and still are, down. They are now looking to rebuild their home from what is left. It will take years for the island to rebuild. The local airport is in tatters, and without tourists coming back to the island for some time, Bogs and his family do not have an income.
With your donations, we can help the Basher family buy the materials they need to rebuild their house and their lives. The money raised will be used to buy cement, gravel, sand, steel and wood.
Transparency
All funds raised will be sent to the Basher family, directly transferred to Elisa's Phillippine bank account. Donations will be sent via the WISE app. This means 100% of your donation (minus Go Fund Me's and WISE's small fees) will be going straight to the Basher family! I will publically post the transfers.
No matter how big or small, any donation will help this beautiful and deserving family begin to rebuild their lives.
