source: press release
Irish youth holds immersion with Bajaus
Youth volunteers of SERVE, a community service organization based in Ireland, came recently to Cebu and stayed for three weeks in the Bajau community under the care of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.’s (RAFI) Bajau Integrated Area Development Project (BIAD-P) in Sitio Puntod, Alaska Mambaling, Cebu City.
During their immersion, SERVE’s three Irish adult leaders and 13 youth assisted in the fabrication of ICEB bricks for the housing quads and in holding classes for preschoolers and the feeding program.
They also shared part of their country’s culture through sports and other interactive activities.
“I find the first day in the Bajau community the highlight of our entire five-week stay in the Philippines. The children warmly welcomed us with smiles. The short program that was organized in the school for us that day was incredible,†Majella, a SERVE volunteer, shared.
“We couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful, and we are so grateful. The heartfelt welcome given to us every day will be always treasured in our hearts,†she added.
SERVE focuses on programs and projects that help marginalized communities in
developing countries. It aims to empower children and the youth and recognizes that gender equality is essential to sustainable development. It has 15 partner countries around the world that receive support in terms of funding for development projects or programs, placement of short-term and long-term volunteers, capacity building in the areas of management, finances and accounting, monitoring and evaluation, and child protection.
At present BIAD-P has already started building 33 more housing quads for the Bajau community.
This project component intends to provide better settlements to poor Bajau families.
This is anchored to its vision towards making Bajau a self-sufficient, progressive and self-reliant community with sense of pride and belongingness.
This project component was made possible through close collaboration with the Cebu City Government, Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary and University of San Carlos.
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