Typhoon Ondoy caused widespread flooding and devastation in Metro Manila in September 2009. The typhoon dropped heavy rains that caused the waters to rise rapidly, forcing many residents to take shelter on rooftops overnight. The next day, the flooding had receded but the damage was extensive, with homes and buildings flooded. The Little Sisters of the Assumption and surrounding communities worked together to provide relief to those affected, distributing food, water and aid to flood victims. Despite facing their own losses, they organized relief efforts to help those in need.

1. Typhoon Ondoy unleashed its fury in Metro Manila… Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009

2. San Juan Nepomuceno School – driveway in front of the statue of Our Lady; September 26, 2009; 6:00 p.m.

3. Inside the convent…

4. Water continued to rise…The sisters came out of the house aboard a cooler box…

5. Some families stayed overnight at rooftops…

6. After the storm, a lone star shines in the darkness…a beacon of hope

7. The morning after the storm…

8. Devastation all around… Sunday a.m. September 27, 2009- Kitchen area

9. Refectory Area

11. School Library

12. School Library

14. Our neighbors were the first to come for the Cleaning-up

16. Our Faculty and staff and students and their parents came to help…

17. Ocular survey of our neighborhood: Malibay and Maricaban

19. The Children’s Center of the Little Sisters of the Assumption in Isla, Maricaban

20. In spite of their own distress, Sisters, faculty and staff, parents and friends joined forces to responds to the need of the moment…Assumption-Together in planning, prayer and action…

21. The day after the storm, Assumption - San Lorenzo organized immediate relief operations to respond to the needs of the people…

22. Help came in the form of relief goods: food and potable water

23. Distribution of relief goods at San Juan Nepomuceno School to the flood victims

25. Against all odds…the human spirit triumphs…