In a heartfelt celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month, a coalition of volunteer groups and sponsors embarked on a challenging journey to bring essential aid and cheer to the Dumagat Remontado community in the remote village of Daraitan.
The outreach program, dubbed “Gintong Biyaya – Year 3,” was a day dedicated to sharing care, learning, and joy with the indigenous community. The event focused on supporting the children, mothers, and elders of Daraitan.
At Daraitan Elementary School, the air was filled with excitement as children received packages of school supplies, toys, milk, clothes, slippers, and hygiene kits. Mothers were provided with diapers, milk, and feminine essentials, while Indigenous Peoples (IP) elders were also given hygiene kits. To support the community’s long-term wellness, the school clinic was stocked with new first-aid supplies.
Beyond material donations, the Universidad De Manila (UDM) Community Health team conducted educational sessions, teaching children the importance of proper handwashing and oral care to promote lasting health and hygiene practices. In a symbolic gesture for a sustainable future, volunteers and community members joined together to plant fruit-bearing trees, nurturing both the land and the community’s future. The day culminated in a shared hearty meal, celebrating unity and collective kindness.
The mission itself was a testament to the volunteers’ dedication. Reaching the secluded community required a complex and arduous journey, involving a bus, an L300 van, a boat, a traditional balsa (raft), tricycles, and even an all-terrain “el truck.” A dedicated team of 35 volunteers from Share-A-Hope PH, alongside Rotarians, Rotaracts, and students, persevered through the long and bumpy road, driven by a shared sense of purpose.
In a facebook post of Maria Christina Cura Bernal said, “Every mile we travel reminds us that service is not about comfort, it’s about connection,” shared an organizer from Share-A-Hope PH. “And when we finally arrive, tired but fulfilled, we know every moment was worth it.”
The successful outreach was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Share-A-Hope PH, the Universidad De Manila SSG, the Rotary Club of Manila Premier, the Rotary Club of Manila Maharlika, the Rotary Club of Manila Expats, the Rotary Club of Lubang Island, San Miguel Foundation, Better World-Tondo, Cac Munting Kusina, and Food Access Philippines.#
