When I got invited to the World Vision trip the other day, I thought that like most coastal cleanups, we would do no more than coastal cleaning but to my surprise aside from the coastal cleaning itself, we met families supported by World Vision. Families that inspired us to do more so we can help more

Bloggers were divided into 4′s and on our group “The Yellow Four” we had Iris of Pinay Ads, Flowell of Ask by Flow, Saydie of Manila Catwalk and of course, yours truly.

These photos will tell you about our life-changing journey yesterday with the World Vision Hunger Fighters!

Task 1: Coastal Cleanup

Along with Kim and James, both Shoreline scholars, we cleaned the coastal area where most of them reside. Most of the trash found were various kinds of plastics, used diapers and the biodegradable trash like fallen coconut leaves.

In 30 minutes we were able to accomplish so much, all of us collected about 7 sacks of garbage. Imagine how clean it’s going to be if cleaning will be done everyday

We also learned that the area we were, the Tropical Garden Resort is now a protected site since September 2011.

PGENRO has witnessed the launching of pawikan or sea turtles in Brgy. Labac, Naic Cavite last January 20& 31, 2012. This beach area along the stretch of Sabrina Fair, Inc. and Tropical Garden Resort is now a protected area and has been since September 2011.

The pawikan being dispersed is an Olive Ridley sea turtle variety. It has a lifespan of 80 years and takes decades to reach sexual maturity. After mating at sea, adult female sea turtles return to land to nest at night. In extreme case, females return to the beach where they hatched.

Incubation takes about two months. The eggs in one nest hatch together over a very short period of time. When ready, hatchlings tear their shells apart with their snout and dig through the sand. Again, this usually takes place at night.

To date, about 1,231 hatchlings have been dispersed by the local government of Naic, Cavite and is expected to go on until March. The conservation and protection of pawikan in Cavite is supported by the Provincial Government through the leadership of Governor Jonvic Remulla. - source

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Task 2: Meeting a shoreline scholar and his or her family

We shared breakfast with the Estibars. Nanay Carmelita welcomed us in their humble home and gladly joined us in eating the pansit that we brought. We were later joined with Aldrin and Alleli, both Shoreline scholars. Alleli just graduated college with a degree in BS Education. Aldrin, the youngest, is already in his 3rd year in college and currently teaches Taikwando and Arnis in the neighborhood. Aside from that he also earns from teaching other kids. Not in the photo was Alvin, a former Shoreline scholar who now takes up his MBA in Manila. Alvin, by the way, graduated as Cum Laude in their batch. Amazing, amazing kids!

Nanay Carmelita told us how World Vision Development Foundation through Shoreline Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran, Inc. has changed their lives. She works as a laundry woman and Tatay Angelito (not in the photo) works as a fisherman. She told us that without WVDF and SKKI, how could she send 3 students to school?

It was a humbling, learning and inspiring experience for us indeed.

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Task 3: Water Lilies on our Toes

After meeting the Estivars, we visited the place were Woven Lilies are made. The Nanays of the community taught us how handwoven bags from water lilies are made. One word, it’s HARDWORK. From the collection of water lilies, to drying, pressing, weaving, cutting, sewing, sealing and polishing, the nanays do all these by heart because after all, this water lily products have been helping them for so many years.

Woven Lilies products are available in their community resource center coop, the Daluyan Community Resource Center and all Kultura branches. They also export their products to Canada and the US.

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Task 4: Farmville and Plants vs. Bloggers

No, we didn’t play these popular games but we experienced them first hand.

At the Daluyan Community Resource Center, we were able to feed organic bred pigs and chickens. At the back of the center was a small farm were organic pigs and chickens are raised. Surprisingly, they don’t smell like the usual pig-sty and chicken coop! The caretakers said that it is because they are given organic feeds. “You are what you eat” really applies to pig production.

“the key to healthy pigs is fresh air, good feed, and rotating the pigs through pastures so disease does not build up. Pasture rest and sunlight as a disinfectant is one of the best ways to control disease.” Of course, starting with healthy, parasite-free animals is also important. Reducing stress is also important to healthy animals. Letting pigs wean themselves, not crowding animals, providing lots of bedding, reasonable shelter, clean water and good nutrition, all help to keep a healthy herd. –  source

The pigs are fed fermented rice bran or IPA. The nanays of Sandigang Bato in Dasmarinas, Cavite (more of them at the end of the post) are also formulating Fermented Plant Juice or FPJ and Fermented Fruit Juice or FFJ.

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Task 5: Meet a former Shoreline Scholar

After our hearty, healthy and yummy lunch, we met Ernani Pangilinan, a former shoreline scholar who works part time at the Community Resource Center.

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Task 6: Tutorial with the Ebenezer Childcare Project Scholars

We reached the area late so we weren’t able to help with the tutorial but we got to bond with them

Met Jasel Rowanto, 9. She’s in Grade II already and dreams of becoming a doctor someday. Her mom is a laundrywoman and her father accepts odd jobs from time to time. Through World Vision’s Ebenezer Childcare Project, Jasel can now attend school and pursue her dreams of becoming a doctor.

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Task 7: Meeting the Nanays of Batong Sandigan Development Foundation

The friendly nanays of Batong Sandigan Development Foundation welcomed us into their Bahay Pagawaan at Pangkabuhayan.

They explained to us that WVDF supports about 1,400 families in the area and most of the kids are sent to school through the Ebenezer Childcare Project.

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We wrapped up the trip with a short meeting and each one of us were given the chance to describe the experience in one word. To me the experience was “super fun”, “amazing” to Saydie, “educational” to Flowell and “wow” to Iris. These words are not enough to describe the life-changing experience we had yesterday. It will forever be etched in our hearts and minds.

I pray that this post would touch the hearts of my dear readers and share it to everyone. We can help transform communities and send children to school with very little amount.

Know how you can be of help.

World Vision Development Foundantion
Website: http://worldvision.org.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wvphilippines
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/WorldVisionPH