Unlike other housing projects, Balay Igsuonay does not hire a team of professional carpenters and masons. Instead, the construction team is composed of volunteers, mainly from the Knights of Columbus and Catholic Faith Defenders, guided by a seasoned carpenter. This is because Balay Igsuonay is not just a housing project but above all a solidarity project of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Baclayon, Bohol.

Led by Msgr. Harold Parilla, the Parish aims to build 26 houses for the poorest families, one in each of their chapel areas. On February 19, the project’s 7th house was blessed and turned over to Jennifer and Gerald Dizon.

TYF donated P1,200,000 from the Odette funds for the construction of 18 houses under Balay Igsuonay.

After supertyphoon Odette, for TYF it was important to support the rehab not just of parish churches in town centers but also chapels in far flung villages. When Fr Ricky Beboso, Diocese of San Carlos Social Action Center requested help for the rehab of 22 chapels, TYF approved their budget proposal for P924,000.

One of these chapels is the BEC Cluster 3 Community Chapel in Barangay Bagonbon, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. Bishop Gerardo A. Alminaza, D.D. led the celebration and blessing of the completed chapel on Feb 20.

Since March 2022, TYF has been responding to requests for Odette rehab projects for schools, churches, chapels, seminary and convents, shelter, and livelihoods. Most schools and parish churches have been completed, and TYF is just awaiting their terminal reports. Still ongoing are shelter projects (TYF is supporting the construction of 79 new houses and provision of housing materials for hundreds more) and livelihood projects (seaweeds farming in Northern Palawan, 111 fishing boats in several other provinces).

Thanks to all our donors and mission partners. AM+DG

Since its inception, TYF has always put education and formation as its core program. The past year has seen a dramatic increase in the number of TYF college scholars in all regions nationwide. We are grateful to our donors -- including three new sponsors this school year -- whose generosity help ease the burdens of our scholars' families and fuel their dreams of a brighter future.