Students of CHSPS pledge to help Philippines family members affected by typhoon

Students at Sedgewick Central High and Public School Friday made a pledge to help members of their school family whose immediate family members were devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Custodians Wally and Ana Broz were deeply affected by Haiyan, as Ana’s parents and extended family live in Dimugmaani, Ivizan Province.

Haiyan is going on record as one of the worst storms in recorded history, with devastation greater than that of Katrina.

Ana Broz says typhoons are a fact of life for her family, but this one was different.

She was unable to contact her parents for a week after the storm, she says, and actually had a cousin die in the storm. His funeral was Friday.

Assistant Principal Steve Hoyland gathered students together Friday, Nov. 15 at a special assembly, telling students then about the devastation to Ana’s family, saying, “A week ago, her parents lost everything.”

Ana’s cousin was able to send her photos of the destruction that included what was left of her parent’s home, and neighbouring homes.

Hoyland invited Ana to speak to students, and she became very emotional as she explained the photos, explaining that she has not seen her parents for nine years.

“They have no money or transportation to buy food, no boat to fish, and no home,” she told the students.

Hoyland said that the cost to build a house there is around $350 CDN, with a concrete house costing around $1,000.

“What we would like to do is directly help Ana’s family, to raise money for her parents to build a house,” Hoyland told students.

“We also want to do a drive to collect items we can send to the Philippines, including household goods, over-the-counter medicines, and other items,” said CHSPS teacher Faye Oakes-Livingston.

“This time of year, family is very important,” she said. “Ana and Wally are part of our school family, and we want their family in the Philippines to know the love we feel for all members of our family.”

Oakes-Livingston indicated there would be a list of small toiletry items needed available from the School Office or website.

She said the Students Union would hold a bake sale Dec. 13 to raise funds, and that the High School Students Union would be preparing a typical Philippines meal for staff and students on Dec. 6.

“Help our family help their family,” she said.

When Hoyland asked students to raise their hands if they had spoken to the Brozs, almost every student in the gymnasium held up their hands.

“Talk to them,” urged Hoyland, “ask them how their family is doing.

“Anything we can do will make a huge different on the other side of the world.”

Ana answered some questions from students at the end of the presentation.

Ana and Wally both say they are overwhelmed with the reaction from students, and very grateful that students have decided to help.

Ana says she has always worked to send funds home to her family, and she is incredibly grateful to her CHSPS family for their offer of help.

Students attend CHSPS from Hardisty, Lougheed, Sedgewick, Killam, and Alliance.

Wally and Ana Broz also act as caretakers for the Allan Johnstone School in Hardisty.

Leslie Cholowsky
-Editor