Bringing opportunities to rural communities around the worldBesides fundraising campaigns, charities and sponsorships linked to our values our main focus is bringing hope to communities with impactful projects. We dedicate time, energy, and funds to understanding and helping, and we would like to transparently share our learnings and the way we operate. We believe that together with dedication, trust, listening, and expertise we can make the world a better place.
Get to know The Dumagats - A Rural Community of the PhilippinesThe Dumagat settlement near the Kinabuan falls counts approximately one hundred people. They live in the mountains, in 2-3 hours hiking distance from the small town of Santa Ines. The nearest bigger city is Tanay approximately 2-3 hours away. Traditionally farmers for a few generations, their main produce are bananas, sweet potatoes and coconut, and a few other crops. They live without electricity and their amount of produce depends strongly on weather, as there are frequent typhoons in the region.
Our current project and case study is about creating a sustainable way of living for the community. Our main goal is to improve access to education, and enhance continuous supply of food for children. We have visited the community twice so far and are planning regular visits to evaluate the most efficient ways of support while monitoring their progress. In this process we gather feedback from both the tribe, and also the nearby villagers, teachers, and other people interacting with them. What's Next?Our next reach out will start on the 6th of January 2018, and will aim for training both elders and children in hygiene and nursing, productive farming and utilization of food and income. We are looking for a limited number of volunteers to deliver workshops and training on cooking and farming and exploring new channels to monetize local products. We would also like to further support the studies of children, by helping them to obtain a copy of their birth certificates, necessary for continuing their studies in higher education.
By joining our team you can discover the life and everydays of a friendly rural community, and help us deliver training and participative workshops, and help us to give the Dumagat children a chance to reach their true potential as a tutor.
Be part of the experience and explore several ways in which you can help. |
PHASE IDuring the first phase we brought different goods. The purchases were supported by fundraising (70%), and our goal was to provide basic everyday goods, nutritious, long shelf-life food, and to enhance a sustainable economy. Prices below are approximate values in PHP.
All items have been rated based on feasibility (factoring in their value for price, ease of transport, and practical use to the community).
PHASE II - Follow upReturning 3 months after the first visit we found the following. The best investments proved to be the goat as a future source of protein for the kids, but she was yet a suckling, and the sandals, rice and seeds. Every seed planted brought fruit, except for the Papaya, which fell victim to an early summer typhoon. Unfortunately the lamps did not last long and were quite overpriced, nevertheless, the solar panels are still used to charge other devices (headlights). A simpler and more efficient design with more LEDs and less fragile unnecessary parts should be tested in the future.
Talking to Huilin, the chieftain we learned that schooling is a problem. Most children do not have a copy of their work certificate, therefore cannot be granted a certification of their completed studies. Also for the higher grades children have to walk to Santa Ines (at least 4 hours daily), and often cannot pack food with them, which makes them less focused, yet in general, and in comparison with the lowlanders from the town their skills and performance are good. So far there has been only one child from the surrounding communities, (including the Dumagats, but also other groups) could make it to higher education, and is now working as a teacher. To give these bright children opportunity to finish their studies together with the Seedless team we decided to create a grant. Currently we support 10 high-potential students out of 75. With your help we can do more. Help us give more children in the community have access to higher education by supporting our cause. Get in touch with us if you want to join our cause and help. |
We keep you updated. It means a lot.
LocationSanta Ines, Rizal, Philippines
The easiest way to approach the settlement from Manila is taking a jeepney to Tanay, and from there with a second jeepney or motorbike (beware, the vehicle will have to cross quite a few rivers). From Santa Ines the community can be reached by hiking two and a half hours, and crossing ten rivers. |
Gallery
Contact UsFor more information and technical details, feel free to contact us!
|
|