4th Anniversary Outreach Program for the Aetas Community

Venue: Sitio Cawag, Brgy. Cawag, Subic, Zambales
Date: July 12, 2014

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving." - Mother Teresa

This was long overdue but since I’m in a state of posting, here goes the not-so-fine post for the 2014 Anniversary Celebration. 

The Aetas are considered to be one of the first native settlers in the Philippines. According to one theory, the Aetas are descendants of the first settlers in the country some 300,000 years ago. Artifacts show that Aetas once lived in the lowlands but gradually retreated to the hills and mountains when subsequent immigrants and conquerors pushed them into the forest.(http://philippinenative.blogspot.com/)

The Community of Aetas in Sitio Cawag is a minority group on the outskirts of Subic so they rarely receive help from the NGO's (Non-government Unit) and LGUs (Local Government Unit).

To celebrate our 4 years of friendship and adventure, our group decided to hand out food, slippers, umbrellas and school supplies for the Aeta students.

Donations from the group and sponsors

Beneficiaries of the Program

In behalf of the group, a heartfelt thanks to the donors and sponsors of this project. It was truly a big help to our Aeta brothers and sisters. 

Red Cross Volunteer

Last night, instead of sleeping, Sharon and Dharzie went to a Red Cross Headquarters located in Mandaluyong City to help repacking the relief goods for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. It was a challenge because when we arrived in the location, there were a lot of volunteers, so we decided to visit DSWD in Pasay City. But, when we're on the coastal road, we received an update that they are not allowing more manpower. So we went back to Mandaluyong and helped them by any ways. We enjoyed that night!

Sapin sa Paa, Balik Eskwela Program: The BIG Day!

Being equipped with the proper tools for school is essential to academic success.  However, for many school-aged children in the province or even in the urban areas, education has taken a backseat due to greater family needs such as food and utilities. Here in the Philippines, schools run by the government are for free. School supplies? Not so. Thousands of children face this problem in the rural areas where pen and paper never come in handy. Many kids are forced to stay out of the school as their parents literally do not have the money to get their children a set of school supplies. These are the challenges faced by the residents of North Uyao, Roxas, Mindoro including those from the Mangyan Minority Group. Lamyerda Outreach recognizes that in order to break the cycle of poverty and hunger, children must be prepared to learn and succeed in school. We are glad that we had the possibility of being able to distribute school supplies including pairs of slippers to needy school children.

The project was created by Lamyerda Group. The members went on a spree to collect donations so that school supplies can be purchased and distributed to kids. The Lamyerda group has agreed to make this an annual project as the need for more school supplies and slippers is increasing as the years go by.

June 1, 2013, a group composed of Wewen, Dharzie and Janneth traveled to Roxas, Mindoro all the way from Manila to distribute the slippers and school supplies.

The municipality of Roxas is atleast 2-3 hours ride from the main capital of Calapan. The most common way of travelling is via bus or UV express van. Upon arrival, the family who took care of us during our entire stay in Mindoro gave us a list of students who will be the recipients of our project. As a start, a total of 40 kids, all from the barrio of North Uyao will benefit from this. The family were already informed about our agenda prior of the date of the event.

Kanlungan ni Maria

Home for the aged is a nursing home for the elderly and the handicapped. Here in the Philippines, there are other nursing homes, though perhaps not as numerous or common as in the United States. Some are run by religious institutions, government agencies, and private NGOs, The most well known and probably one of the pioneers is Golden Acres which is located in Quezon City and the other one is the Kanlungan ni Maria in Antipolo City. 

There are close to 20 elders staying at Kanlungan ni Maria. It was opened to seniors May 2002 and Father Darry is grateful for the volunteers and donors who consistently send out donations  and give their support so that they could accommodate more elderly.

It is not a Filipino culture to leave the oldies to such places. But due to some reasons, elderly are brought to this haven. Most are those elderly whose families are very poor and cannot afford to take care of them in terms of their long term medical needs. Some are simply abandoned by their children or do not have relatives anymore. Some were referred by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

"A Walk to Remember" Program

We just got an additional 11 pairs of slippers from our friends and office mates.  These small things mean a lot to the less fortunate children of Sibuyan Island.  These are just some of the slippers to be distributed in "A Walk to Remember" Project organized by selected mountaineers.  This is just the start of creating a bridge and reaching out the poor.

LINE FOR FUTURE

Another shot from "A Walk to Remember" project in Sibuyan Island, Romblon last April 5, 2013. Approximately 200 kids formed in line and excitedly waited as the teacher called their names to receive their GIFTS from our fellow mountaineers.

A SIMPLE GIFT FOR AN ENDLESS HAPPINESS

Benefeciaries of the "A Walk to Remember" project

This photo was taken in Sibuyan Island, Romblon dated April 5,2013.  The said event was formed by fellow mountaineers: Jef & Jae of ICONS; Carla & Jay Z of MFPI; Drew of WASAK and our very own Dharzie of BHM.

With the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer kid's footwear that come from different sizes, designs and colors which allows comfort to the wearer. We thank you from the bottom of our heart.

Our Inspiration

Here is Wewen of Lamyerda, this photo inspires us in creating this page. Photo taken at Dampalitan Island, Quezon Province