Funded by the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Youth Programs Division

Philippine Youth Leadership Program

Year 10

Environmental Leadership in the Philippines

Developing Youth as Agents of Change & Ecological Activism

April 13-May 11, 2013

Edited by Drs. Susan Russell, Lina Ong, Leslie Shive, and Rey Ty 2014

Philippine Youth Leadership Program

Year 10 Environmental Leadership in the Philippines Developing Youth as Agents of Change & Ecological Activism

2014 Northern Illinois University

International Training Office Edited by Susan Russell, Lina Ong, Leslie Shive, & Rey Ty

Community Service Projects

Philippine Youth Leadership Program: Building a New Generation of Citizens as Catalysts for Social Change

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs, Youth Programs Division

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© 2014 Northern Illinois University

International Training Office

DeKalb, Illinois, U.S.A.

Internet: http://www.niu.edu/ito/aboutus/index.shtml

We gratefully acknowledge the United States Department of State for its support for this project.

Disclaimer: All ideas expressed here belong to the individual authors. The findings, interpretations, and conclu-

sions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Training Office. Content,

style, editing, and proofreading were the responsibility of each author or group of authors. All errors and omissions

are those of the contributors.

Index

•3R •Alternative Energy •Animal Protection •Art •Art Products Made of Recycled Materials •Community

•Community Development •Community Project •Community Service •Deep Ecology •Ecological Activism

•Environment •Environmental Awareness •Environmentalism •Leadership •Mangrove Rehabilitation •Mindanao

•Nature •Nature and Society •Philippines •Riverside Clean Up •Sea Turtles •Social Action •Solar Lamps

•Sustainable Development •Tree Planting •Vegetable Gardening •Vermicomposting •Youth •Youth Leadership

•Volunteer •Waste Management •Water Conservation

Production Credits

Printer: Northern Illinois University

Printed in the United States of America

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................................................... 7

Program Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................ 7 Program Themes and Activities ............................................................................................... 8

CH. 1: ESSAYS: PRIOR EXPERIENCES, LEARNING AT NIU, & ACTION PLANS .................. 10

Concerned Citizen, God has something special ! ................................................................. 10 Making steps through environmental stewardship .............................................................. 14 Mindanao: A Meaningful Past, a Hopeful Present, and a Bright and Happy Tomorrow 16 Islam Care for Environment .................................................................................................. 18 Will Work for Trees—Go Green ........................................................................................... 20

Social and Environmental Justice for Mindanao ................................................................. 22 Chasing My Dreams ................................................................................................................ 23

Environmental Situation, Learnings, and My Community Project ................................... 24 For Good and Not for Worse ................................................................................................. 25 And It All Adds Up to One ..................................................................................................... 26 Inevitable Environmental Issues, Learnings, and Change .................................................. 28

Colorful Rainbow of the Future ............................................................................................ 29 Fun in Learning Also Helping to be a Catalyst of Change .................................................. 30 Traversing the Way towards the Realization of Ecological Activism ................................ 32

Balance between Quality Living and Resource Conservation ............................................ 34 Environmental Situation ........................................................................................................ 36

Waiting on the World to Change ........................................................................................... 38 All in One ................................................................................................................................. 39 Environmental Problems and Advocacy ............................................................................... 41

CH. 2: SPEECHES ................................................................................................................................... 42

Declaration ............................................................................................................................... 42 Youth of Tomorrow PYLP 10 ................................................................................................ 42 Welcome Speech ...................................................................................................................... 42

Developing Youth as Agents of Change and Ecological Activism” .................................... 43 Farewell Speech ....................................................................................................................... 44

Farewell Reception Speech ..................................................................................................... 46 Speech at the Department of State ........................................................................................ 47 Farewell Speech ....................................................................................................................... 48

CH. 3: REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS ......................... 49

On the Right Path ................................................................................................................... 54 Persistent .................................................................................................................................. 56

Save life, Plant a Tree! ............................................................................................................ 57 The Green Bin Project: Proper Waste Management .......................................................... 60 Lets fight Global Warming with I.C.E! ................................................................................ 62 Alexander H. Ali, Jr. ............................................................................................................... 62 Taking Small Steps While Aiming Big .................................................................................. 64

Whoever You Are, You Can Make Change.......................................................................... 65 Green Uprising Project ........................................................................................................... 67 Never Again Sendong .............................................................................................................. 69 Riverside Rescue...................................................................................................................... 71 3Rs for a Clean and Green Mandug ...................................................................................... 73 Adopt a Tree Movement ......................................................................................................... 75

Mangrove Planting: A Way to Conserve and Protect our Environment ........................... 77 Think Green Project: A Project on Tree Planting ............................................................... 79

Rain or Shine ........................................................................................................................... 81 Something New ........................................................................................................................ 82 Sanitary Toilet and Environmental Health Education ........................................................ 85

Be the Change You Seek ......................................................................................................... 87 Veggie is the Way .................................................................................................................... 89 Volunteers as the Emblem in saving our Mangrove Ecosystem ......................................... 91 Sustainability Development: Vermicomposting and Environmental Program ................ 93 E-Shots on Plastic Bottles ....................................................................................................... 95

Making the Lake Alive ........................................................................................................... 97 The Genesis Project:A Project on Awareness Heightening & Protection of Sea Turtles100 Lights ...................................................................................................................................... 102 Real Beauty from Action ...................................................................................................... 103

Ecological Solid Waste Management Project for Youth: Waste Segregation & Composting105 Upcycled: cycling through Art ............................................................................................. 107

ART GALLERY ...................................................................................................................................... 108

PHOTO GALLERY ................................................................................................................................ 114

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

PHILIPPINE YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM YEAR 10

ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP IN THE PHILIPPINES: DEVELOPING YOUTH AS AGENTS

OF CHANGE AND ECOLOGICAL ACTIVISM

Program Goals and Objectives

Northern Illinois University (NIU), through its International Training Office (ITO), administered an intensive four-week U.S.

exchange program focusing on the themes of civic education, leadership development, respect for diversity, and community

engagement. For the first time in its program development, NIU-ITO introduced a sub-theme on environmental education and

advocacy as part of strengthening the overall leadership and civic responsibility of the youth in Mindanao. The Philippine

Youth Leadership Program (PYLP) Year 10 focused on creating a cadre of leaders with a strong sense of civic responsibility

and commitment to community development, with specific understanding of the global importance of environmental advocacy

and the role of youth as agents of ecological change. PYLP 10 not only provided new knowledge and experience to the 28 par-

ticipants but also prepared them for a lifetime of leadership and community service in Mindanao.

PYLP Year 10 brought to NIU 28 youth and adult leaders from the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and surrounding

provinces in the Philippines to attend the four-week exchange program from April 13 to May 11, 2013. ITO’s partner institu-

tion in the Philippines – the AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines Foundation, Inc. (AFS IPP) - recruited and selected the

participants, along with representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

PYLP Year 10 was envisioned to (1) develop a new generation of young leaders with a strong sense of civic responsibility and

commitment to community development; (2) unleash and harness the limitless leadership potential of youth as advocates for

the preservation and protection of the environment; (3) provide participants with tools for working collaboratively across ethnic

and religious lines, leading to the cooperative implementation of their community service projects in their local communities;

(4) develop in the participants an appreciation and understanding of the cultural diversity of America; (5) provide them ample

opportunities for interaction with their American peers to experience a U.S. school environment, as well as opportunities for

engagement (volunteerism) in local community service programs in DeKalb, Chicago suburbs, and in Washington, DC that

will enable them to gain first-hand experience in civic participation.

The following outcomes are envisioned: (1) the foundation will be laid for a new generation of youth leaders and citizen advo-

cates for sustainable environmental and ecological development in the ARMM and surrounding provinces; (2) increased

knowledge and skills in leadership, civic responsibility, community activism, and respect for diversity; (3) an appreciation of

the value of community service as evidenced by increased levels of participation in volunteer and advocacy work; (4) deeper

understanding of environmental issues and the youth’s role in protecting and preserving the environment; (5) increased partici-

pation of the youth in environmental protection and conservation projects; (6) mutual understanding and appreciation of Amer-

ican and Filipino cultures; (7) new knowledge and skills in action plan development; (8) established collaboration and network-

ing among PYLP alumni in developing and implementing community service projects and the modeling of positive coopera-

tion among ethnic, religious, and socio-economic groups; and (9) enhanced understanding and appreciation of Filipino culture

among NIU faculty, staff, students, as well as the people in the various communities and organizations with whom the PYLP

participants interact.

Program outputs include (1) development of individual community service action plans that the participants are expected to

carry out upon their return home; (2) an interactive website where success stories, lessons learned, and best practices are posted

regularly; (3) a training manual containing hardcopies of workshop handouts distributed to participants during their training at

NIU; (4) an e-book – a downloadable version of the training manual so that all PYLP alumni will have access to it; (5) an e-

book collection of workshop outputs such as their learning mission, action plans, and art work; (6) an e-journal that records the

highlights of their daily learning experiences; (7) a printed booklet that includes a summary of all the activities of the NIU Pro-

gram, and photo-essays on their community service projects; and (8) e-video clips of the workshop activities, cultural interac-

tion with their American peers, and field visits.

The 15-month project (August 2012 - October 2013) included four phases: (1) Recruitment and Selection of Participants, (2)

three-day Pre-departure Orientation, (3) four-week U.S.-based Exchange Program with a welcome orientation upon arrival to

the U.S. and a debriefing at the end of the program (in Washington, DC) to prepare the participants for their return home; and

4) Follow-on Program for the alumni to reinforce values and skills learned during the exchange program at NIU and present a

progress report on their community project..

Program Themes and Activities

Theme Action Activity

Leadership

Development

Workshops &

Activities

Learning Contract, Mission, Curriculum

Developing Action Plans for Community Service Projects

Leadership Camp- teambuilding & survival skills (Stronghold Center)

Effective Communication for Community Organizing

Leaders of the Day

Presentation of Action Plans

Roles of Adult Leaders

Civic

Responsibility

and Community

Activism

Workshops &

Discussions

Social media for Marketing Community Initiatives

Art (Hip-Hop) for Social Change

Developing a community service project & action planning

Grassroots organizing & Coalition Building

Panel discussion on ecological activism w/ leaders of student

clubs/organizations

Community

Service & Vol-

unteerism

Orientation: Volunteer for Change - Guide to Community Service Feed My Starving Children

Oak Crest Retirement Ctr.

Preservation &

Protection of the

Environment

Workshops &

Discussions The Environment & Society: The 3 Rs of Conservation

Organizing Local People for Conservation Purposes in Madagascar

Environmental Issues in the Philippines & the Role of Youth in Environmental Justice: Community Health Effects of Industrial Food Production

Understanding the Causes of Water Contamination

Conservation & Diversity

Site Visits Chicago Center for Green Technology

Field Museum > Environment, Culture, & Conservation Collection & the Ab-bott Hall Conservation Restoration Earth Photo Exhibit

Wind Farm in DeKalb

NIU Recycling Plant

Vogl’s Sustainable Farm w/ Renewable Energy

Arnold’s Sustainable Farm

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (Iowa)

Environmental Integrity Project in Washington, DC

Waterkeeper Alliance in DC Films “Kayapo: Out of the Forest”

“Sun Come Up”

“Food Inc.”

Respect for

Diversity and

Mutual

Understanding

Workshops &

Discussions

Intercultural Communication

Learning Circles

Weekly “pangumustahan” sessions (Checking in on group cultural adjustment

issues.)

Designing community projects collaboratively across ethnic & religious lines

Understanding

American

Culture

Homestay 2 students per American home for 13 days, including a free weekend

Orientation for participants

Orientation for host families

Cultural and

Historical

Visits

Religious Diversity

o Visits & discussions: DeKalb Mosque, Buddhist Temple, & Rockford

Mosque

o Tour of Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC

Chicago

o United Center, Willis Tower, Millennium Park

o Architecture Cruise, Navy Pier

Northern Illinois Region

o Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza in Rockford, Illinois

Cultural/Historical Tours - Washington, D.C.

o U.S. Capitol, U.S. Congress

o Lincoln & Jefferson Memorials

o World War II, Vietnam, Korean, Iwo Jima Memorials

o Smithsonian Museums

o U.S. Department of State

o Mt. Vernon Estate, Home of Pres. George Washington

Interaction

with American

Peers

Rochelle High School Students

DeKalb High School Students

Panel Discussion with student leaders of environmental organizations & clubs

CH. 1: ESSAYS: PRIOR EXPERIENCES, LEARNING AT NIU, & ACTION PLANS

Concerned Citizen, God has something special !

Sittie Ayra Y. Abedin

These problems that I will enumerate are one of the major problems in Mindanao. First we have the

dumping of garbage, because people can’t find garbage cans, they just throw their garbage everywhere

and it will effect to a dirty place, where garbage are everywhere and an unpleasant smell will spread. It

may also effect to different kinds of diseases for the people living in that area. Second we have the kid-

napping incident. It is caused by kids who easily believe on strangers. This will effect to a less population

of the people in the community. And lastly the pollution that causes dumping of garbage on water, and

drivers used to over speed wherein their car used to release gases. This will effect to a water pollution and

air pollution. For a solution that I know, for the first one, garbage cans must be provided. For the second

one, there should be a proper and strict care of parents to their kids, and finally for the last one, I think

community leaders should work on it where they could have a proper talk with the community people. I

actually have the same tasks for every problem, and that is to teach the kids or a seminar with kids. Alt-

hough this has the low percentage for a change, I guess it would be better for kids to listen. As of these

days, kids are usually listening to their teacher not their parents. That’s why I put there “proper and strict

care” because kids now, especially teenagers usually break the rules of their parents, so they tend to es-

cape for freedom. So I think having seminar with kids will be effective and fun for them. I will be their

teacher and they will be my pupils.

The Philippine Youth Leadership Program, a very tough and enjoyable training I’ve ever had. Eve-

rything seems to be my first time, and it was a very great experience. I’ve been here not because I wanted

to go to trips and show my other fellow men that I’ve been to USA and they’re not. I am here to inspire

and help them to improve our environment. Basically, I am here for a leadership training, to become an

agent of change. We’ve got so many sessions that we learned a lot from them. For example the Intercul-

tural Orientation, we have to understand that not all the people we see on technologies are the same peo-

ple that we meet personally. The 3Rs of Conservation, it is one of the best ways for the betterment of a

community. The Environmental Justice, I just can’t forget about the movie “We Shall Not Be Moved” the

way how they sang it is pretty awesome for them to fight for their own environment. Film workshops like

Sun Come Up, The Kayapo, and the Food, Inc. They wanted us to realize and understand everything of

being a real human of this world. Grassroots organizing, people, we just have to remember three things

and that is Local Knowledge, Self-sufficiency, and Empowerment. Art for Social Change, Healthy Inde-

pendent People Helping Other People is HIP-HOP. An effective public speaker that catches our attention,

and the pressure session, well, an efficient professor we had for we got to trained so much because of him.

Every session that we had may not be all the time, we are listening but we always learned something from

it. This learning experience that we’ve got, if there is new knowledge that I’ve had from it then it is that

every people are different from each other, the art for a social change, and the shorter, the better. And if

there are new skills that would be the effective communication to different kinds of people, doing the re-

sponsibilities of a leader, and an effective public speaker, and for the most, the attitudes that I’ve totally

much acquired here are being respectful, responsible and having fun. And I will cherish this, everything

that I’ve got as a gift from the PYLP staffs and coordinators. Experiencing this home stay with host fami-

lies, I was like in a movie; this kind of family that I have here in USA seems to be just the same with how

we live, my biological family, and it just really feels home. And all the trips, that’s how we get to enjoy

the life in USA. I am just really glad to be here in this program, now I believe that I‘ve really been to

USA, a dream come true. It really is a fantasy that goes for real. So the best way I can do to apply this

back home in my community, is to share it to them and inspire them how great it is to have learned so

much from a different country that we called United States of America, so sharing experiences will be the

great way, because we know that messages spread rapidly.

So beyond all these learning, I am glad that we can now implement our own community project.

My community project talks about Proper Waste Disposal Program for Children but I entitled it

“Educating children; the next generation for a better generation”. I focused on children since they are

younger than me, and it would be easily to teach them, and for some reason, I choose them because I

believe that they are the hope of the people for the betterment of their community. So for the program,

first of all, we will orient them about proper waste disposal, and that already includes separating

biodegradable from non-biodegradable and 3Rs of Conservation will be included as well. Next, we will

be having a clean-up drive around that community, wherein there, they will now learn concretely on how

do they manage wastes. Finally, to make it fun, we will be having a recycling competition between each

group of kids. For the recycling, they will use all the non-biodegradable materials that they collected.

Through this, they can now apply what they have heard during the orientation. Of course, I cannot just do

it on my own. But thankfully I have volunteers, the KL-YES alumni, the Kizuna/Genesis alumni, and

other PYLP alumni, they are the AFS Marawi Chapter. For other help, I will tap my school organizations,

The Society of Quizzers And Debaters and the School paper publication members. And other school

organizations especially, the Supreme Student Council, and the Leadership Institute members, most of

them are my close friends so I can easily tap them. Another help, I can tap the Ditsaan-Ramain officials

wherein the vice mayor there is my cousin. Also the Department of Education, I can tap their Education

program supervisor who is my aunt. And I will also tap my uncle who works on the Commission on

Elections who is a Comelec Commissioner there in Manila. And since we will be having a clean-up drive,

I can tap my cousin whom is a doctor for the Health and Sanitation. But to make it sure, I will also tap the

Community Health Center in that community. From all these plans, I hope for it's success, and become an

inspiration to other people.

Therefore, I think, by just observing with what's going on with your own community. You might

feel concern, and by that, you are praying like “If I could only do something to change it”, you're being a

concerned citizen. With that, God will give it to you in the right time, and believe that it will be more than

what you expect. You just have to be faithful to God, and He will give you what you want to do that you

can't do. Just believe and be yourself, because God has always something special for you.

Une Histoire Dun Oliver C. Abiera

Exposition. We usually encounter many environmental issues in our society today; let me tell you our

story. First major problem is burning plastics caused by the lack of knowledge. It may cause many health

problems, warmer weather, hassles and most especially global warming. Next on my list is solid waste

management and improper segregation of garbage. It is common in my society and many parts of Minda-

nao today, especially in urban areas that are vastly arising in world market, and one of this urban areas is

my community, General Santos. It is normally caused by people who don’t know how to put things in the

right places. The effects of this problem are we will have a lot more unsanitary places, it will lessen the

attraction in tourists and most especially, it will cause global warming.

Rising Action. Lastly, the lack of supply in terms of electricity. This problem is caused by using of elec-

tricity in unnecessary ways and also related in politics. It is because when it is time to change the chair-

man of SOCOTECO (power supply source of General Santos), they will have the venue of the voting in a

certain area in which not all power consumers can go, also with the day scheduled, they usually do it dur-

ing working days. Discovering some knowledge and learning new skills are a lot of things offered by this

program; it would take a lot of time to enumerate. Just a recap, my knowledge expanded in terms of envi-

ronmental concerns, implementing and planning actions for a specific issue, refurnishing my skills

through team work and craftsmanship, speaking through side of the individuals involved, and serving

whole-heartedly in humanity.

Climax. My core values also revealed within a short period of time. The way I see things, diversity, hav-

ing trust with the people around me, responsibility of my actions that influence the lives of my co-

participants, innovation, to act with honesty and integrity without compromising the truth and putting my

heart and mind in the work to be the best. The essence of my existence and my values that comes from my

soul would make a great help for me in applying action plan in Mindanao by teaching them the core val-

ues I learned so far in this program, especially the diverse culture and beliefs. In such way that people can

able to communicate with each other and make unity amidst diversity. It would break barriers amongst

people in Mindanao and creates avenue to peace and goodwill that would lead us to one direction which

we can learn some things from other religion and culture that enables us to respect them. By respecting

and learning one’s culture, we can create a better understanding. And when we achieve better understand-

ing we can now work with the concerns within our environment that leads us to great and brighter future.

And as we implement the things that I learn from Pylp so far, we can be a leader for the other neighboring

cities and countries.

Falling Action. But still I happened to have this idea to stick with a community project that’s a lot differ-

ent with the things I learned and discovered. Sustainable coastal zones through mangrove development, is

my project title. I choose this community project because, first, the situation is my community is Vulnera-

ble to typhoon and flooding and increase coastal erosion that leads to climate change. Secondly, it can

provide shelter for many marine lives and can possibly a source for aquatic resources. And thirdly, an ini-

tiative to restore and plant new mangrove forests is proving an interesting way of contributing to carbon

sequestration through reforestation and forest preservation. Lastly, because it supports adaptation to cli-

mate change by planting mangroves which results to strong natural sea defenses and as support for coastal

zone biodiversity.

Denouement. As a vision, a code of practice for mangrove management is formulated. Public awareness

and education on the benefits of protecting mangroves are strengthened. Mangrove forest legislation is

enforced, and neighboring coastal cities and provinces will implement this practice. With the things I

learned and the new skills I discovered, I am able to do a small community project that leads to big steps

for change. With that, I can say that I am really making a great change with my own little ways yet big

relevance to the world.

Making steps through environmental stewardship

-Karla Jean G. Acot-

Climate of change...

Environmental issues and concerns will impact all lives on the earth. So, it is imperative for us to

understand environmental issues, factors causing them and finding ways to improve our environment. Our

awareness about environmental issues, which include loss of biodiversity, global warming, and the need

for animal and plant conservation, can help in saving the planet and maintain life.

The contamination of water due to careless and improper disposal of garbage has one big problem

in Cagayan de Oro city. The dirty water drainage especially in canals have been a nightmare to the people

there. Garbage which are thrown in canals causes the water to inflow thoroughly which could actually

lead to worse situation. Why ? Dengue and other deadly diseases starts to arise from the dirty canal which

could lead to sickness and even to death. Further, this could also cause water overflow / flood. Urgent

steps must be taken to reduce the amount of man-made wastes. As a student I'm involving myself with

this kind of issues by informing people about the hazards of environmental pollution and offering ways

for improving the environment and coordinate with the Local Government Unit.

Another stellar problem that Cagayan de Oro face is the improper waste disposal. The community

people’s lack of knowledge on environmental hazards allure them to throw their garbage anywhere. This

scenario does not just destroy mother nature but also causes an eye sore to our place, hence, it become

dirty and messy. Clamant steps should also be taken on this situation .

Lastly, would be floods. Flood marked Cagayan de Oro city for the destruction it caused. It killed

thousands of Kagayanons.The logging of trees, improper waste disposal and lack of knowledge on

environmental hazard, I believe, would be the main reasons why floods happen. The death of thousands of

people has never been a joke. Crucial process should be done in this happening. Thus, as a young leader

and environmental activist, I would take my part by informing people about the hazards of environmental

pollution and offering ways for improving the environment and coordinate with the Local Government

Unit and the community people itself.

Live by example; start in your local community

“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to

ourselves and to one another.”―Mahatma Gandhi

This phrase recounts on my learning’s as I go through the program. Indeed, when we abuse our

environment, we seem to be doing this to ourselves and to one another. Why? Because on the long run, we

would suffer the consequences of the actions that we are doing. In recent years mankind's consciousness

has been aroused very strongly about the need for environmental protection and ecological preservation. It

is of utmost importance that the people should be aware not only of the problems involved but also of the

role to be played in protecting the environment.

With this, I do believe, that we should take our actions right away and start with our own local

community. Through the Philippine Youth Leadership Program, I know I can start the change I wanted to

see. For almost two weeks of workshops, lectures and tours that we had, I know I’ve learned a lot that

could help me help my community. First and foremost, I’ve learned that the collective actions of humans

are bringing an end to the lives of creatures across the Earth. Well, we need the natural resources and it

was made for us to use, BUT, we should not abuse it! Air becomes polluted in many ways. Seventy

percent of the Earth is covered by oceans and water has significant role in our lives, as they always say,

water is life. It is indeed! We are very much dependent with water, but what happens now is that there are

big dumping ground for tons of toxic waste in oceans and rivers. But hey! Let us always remember that

once we have polluted the sea, it is very difficult to clean it.

We should always inculcate in our mind that we need clean air to breathe and pure water to drink.

We need also food that is safe to eat and housing to shelter us. We can't get all these things by ourselves.

We live in community so we can solve our problems only working together.

Nevertheless, through the program I come to realize such skills that could be very helpful towards

implementing my community service project. Say for example, one could do environmental activism

through his passion in art like dancing for social good. Social good in the sense that you are not just

making the environment sustainable but at the same time you are promoting cultural understanding

among diverse group of people. Further, one could also promote or tell others about his/her project

through the social media sites. Now we know that this isn’t just about face booking, posting photos and

updating statuses but it is also for a common goal of having a better environment. Thus, I can apply this to

my community by creating my own facebook page to promote and let other people know about the project

that I am implementing. If they would be interested about it, then they would have concern on supporting

my project and maybe I could do even bigger project aside from the compost pit making that I am

planning.

Hence, through this program, I’ve learned to understand other people’s culture and belief and I had

become more open minded person. So, when I go back to my community and implement the project, I

now know how to handle certain situations because I’ve experienced it here on the first hand. I’ve come

to realize that one should be firm in his/ her goal/project, that whatever hardship would come, I should not

just leave it undone but rather serve it as a stepping stone towards the success of the project.

Making the dream work through teamwork …

Being aware of the current situation Mindanao faces and being able to asses their needs,

now is the right time to act and start the change through the Philippine Youth Leadership Program,

community service project. I would start the dream work through implementing my community service

in Cagayan de Oro city, where I believe has the most need in the community. The plan of action would be

situating compost pits in the community. This composting is nature's natural way of recycling. Instead of

the people throwing their kitchen scraps and yard wastes on landfill which could sooner become methane

gas, why not recycle it, in a natural and nature's way. This could also help the soil and environment

become healthy and fertile.

The situation where my project would be implemented is this; houses are too close from one

another and there is no area to make their own compost pit. Added with the destruction of Typhoon Washi,

the soil become infertile and unhealthy anymore which in some people who rely most in agriculture way

of living had a decline of harvest of their crops specially those, whose farming method does not gain that

big amount of money. In some cases also, since there is no area for the community people to throw their

biodegradable wastes , they just throw it in the canals which is unsanitary, smelly and could be the

beginning of the deadly diseases from the dirty water. This bad behavior also clogged the canal's water

way which may then lead to overflowing.

Nonetheless, this project of mine aims to situate compost pits for the community people of

Balulang Cagayan de oro and elude them from deadly diseases and also help them recover from the

destruction of Typhoon Washi. This could be done through being in partner with the different

organizations and volunteers- the Local Government Unit, City agriculture office,Barangay and Purok

Officials ,Home Association of Villa Angela Subdivision and school organizations. This project does not

only educate the people about composting but this also helps them recover from the Typhoon that has

destructed them.

Through the Philippine Youth Leadership Program, year 10, I am now making steps through

environmental stewardship and I hope to see in the near future that this project and steps that I'm starting

now would not just retain in a local community but would also make an impact to the whole Mindanao as

well as the nation and world. As I go out of the four corners of the classrooms where we had our sessions,

I know I could bring home the knowledge on how to save mother earth and sustain it because now is the

right time to do it. I know I can make this dream work through teamwork!

Mindanao: A Meaningful Past, a Hopeful Present, and a Bright and Happy Tomorrow

Sheena Mae S. Alcala

Long-term Benefits

Mindanao is indeed in need of assistance and support for its upliftment. At this point in time, its

children need to start the change.

In the status quo, there are myriad of factors contributing to the upsurge of environmental prob-

lems in every community. In my hometown, I have spotted three crucial problems that the city had been

facing up to the present. With this concerns, it is interesting to break down the adequacy of the existing

government projects addressing these problems; however, this is not to question the government’s power

but to come up with a more feasible and sustainable resolution where all the stakeholders are working

hand in hand. Firstly, illegal logging had been a trend in the suburbs of Zamboanga City. The lush green-

ery in most of the villages far from the city proper had been exposed to this problem. One cause of this is

the infirm implementation of laws regarding the logging system in the city. Worst is that, the lack of prac-

tice and stringent application of this resulted to evidencing erosion of lands. As a solution, active partici-

pation of the entire community must be at hand. Possible answers on this issue are tree planting programs

to increase awareness and stringent application of laws on illegal logging to practice citizenship. My task

as a young leader is to stand as the model and the voice of the youth and coordinate with the leaders of

our community. Second is the improper waste disposal. One root cause of this problem is the lack of

knowledge or education on proper waste segregation and disposal of the people composing the communi-

ty. As a result, piled wastes on the corners in most of the streets of the city, particularly in the suburbs, are

evident. Implementing training on proper waste management is a feasible way to resolve this and later

provide resources, like trash bins, for the community to be able to practice. This will be possible with the

help of the leaders of my community. Lastly, the problem on air pollution had taken its peak in the present.

Improper waste disposal and excessive use of vehicles emitting CFC gases are the main causes of this

problem. Thus we can observe the springing of health detriments and wildlife harm. To lessen the use of

vehicles emitting such gas and resorting to eco-friendly power source can be its solutions. With that, I am

more than willing to discuss and work with my community leaders to start up this project with an objec-

tive of long-term benefits.

Change as a Tangible Goal Being a part of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program – an intercultural program which serves

as the bridge in the diverse mankind, I experienced a milestone. As it offered three-fold journey to create

catalysts of ecological activism establishing a united Mindanao. It is the knowing of oneself – responsibil-

ities and capabilities, the educating process, and finally the gradual application and integration of new

ideas and knowledge to open the eyes of everybody else that there is no margin among the different cul-

tures and beliefs of the people. As we accentuate this factor, sustainability of ecological change follows.

After a couple of weeks attending sessions and workshops on environmental concerns with the es-

teemed professors in NIU, indeed I have learned innumerable things. From leadership, cultural diversity

down to the pressing ecological issues, everything was noteworthy. Among these new learning, one con-

cept struck me the most and that is - environmental justice. Upon pondering on this concept I came up

with three prongs that constitute balance among the local community and other stakeholder and these are:

(1) significance of balanced leadership, (2) importance of dialogue for deeper understanding, acceptance

and empowerment, and (3) power of one’s right. These serve as pillars in establishing sustainable devel-

opment in every community. Along with this new realization are new skills and values I have acquired

from the program. In terms of new skills that I have developed, first is the confidence of voicing out my

ideas with an aim of impacting the people on the ground, and second, utilizing my interest in arts as a me-

dium to inspire others for ecological change. In a nutshell, I have developed my communication and arts

skills. Moreover, I understand that these could have not been possible without the new values that I opted

to embed within me. These principles are the respect and appreciation toward the ingrained diversity of

mankind and the preservation and concern for the environment as a steward of the wonderful creation.

As a young leader, fully packed with experiences, knowledge and understanding of the true es-

sence of working and advocating for ecological change, I am ready to set forth bringing the title the youth

of tomorrow. The community I envision is one where discrimination sees no place in and where everyone

takes active part in building and sustaining a community just like that. Individuals of different culture and

ethnicity come together and the similarities of each group and member of the community will be appreci-

ated and differences will be less highlighted or feared. Embedded within me are the new knowledge, skills

and values. I am very positive on my goal of living in a nation where equality is the norm – balanced

ecology and unbiased community benefits as tangible change specifically in my motherland, Mindanao.

Children of Mindanao

It had been a natural tendency of individuals to disregard their capabilities and responsibilities to-

ward the environment. As a young advocate of ecological change, it is my goal to help in uplifting the in-

nate responsibility of mankind to our Mother Nature.

In the suburbs of Zamboanga City sits a small village consisting of 40% indigenous people.

Poblacion Manicahan, the name of the village, has been facing flooding issues. Upon conducting a com-

munity needs assessment, I learned that the community officials only address the health sanitation of the

local community. The presence of the irrigation canal that runs in the center of the village had been a cru-

cial spot of the prevailing environmental problem in Manicahan. It is where the improper dumping of gar-

bage is very prevalent. Another existing detrimental factor in this community is the absence of garbage

bins in the village; thus, the local community does not have an avenue to practice proper waste disposal.

In order to address these concerns, I aim to shift the focus from health sanitation to environmental concern

through implementing a two-fold project entitled Trash to throw: the Bin Project. It offers two phases in

resolving the waste disposal issue of the community. It is the educating process which aims to increase

awareness among the local community through holding workshops on Proper Waste Disposal, and the

hands-on application through conducting clean-up drives and providing trash bins in the community. In

addition, incorporated in this project is an offer of incentives to the participating local community, i.e. re-

use empty sheets of notebooks solicited from partner organizations. This will serve as a pillar for the sus-

tainability of the project. All this will be made possible with the help of the US State Department, Local

Government Units and other organizations for human resource, volunteers and funding.

In conclusion, I would like to give emphasis to a significant learning throughout my PYLP experi-

ence which highlights my environmental project. It is the difference of what those in power think the

community needs and what the community really needs; thus, it is a must to establish an effective and in-

teractive communication with the local community in implementing an action for change.

As an ecological activist honed by the experiences and learning from the PYLP, I aim to empower

the people in my community with an idea of stewardship to restore and preserve the beauty of Mindanao.

With all passion and optimism, I believe that we all deserve to be called the children of Mindanao – the

people of a meaningful past, a hopeful present, and a bright and happy tomorrow.

In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Islam Care for Environment

Alexander Ali, Jr.

We all know that Environment degradation is a global problem, especially in the Muslim commu-

nities in Mindanao, Philippines. Like what i have observed in my community; Tagoloan is the top 10

poorest community in the Philippines and the only lucrative business existing is illegal logging and this is

usually practiced by both Muslim and Christians. The major problems in the community is that the people

of Tagoloan are not educated on the adverse effects of destruction of environment, particularly illegal

logging and religious approach in caring and protecting for the environment are needs to be strengthened.

And the effect of the problems are the people are not awared of the environment, and they will keep do-

ing illegal things and if they do that many people will die and killed because of environmental destruction

(floods, landslide).

Before i came to Northern Illinois University, my expectations were not really like in the envi-

ronment, its all about peace, and leadership, its not to quite cold here, eat rice, comfortable bed, demand-

ing for anything because Americans really respect visitors and etc.. Yes, when talking about leadership,

its not all about the thing you became a leader, you are a leader of peace only, but a leader of anything. So

even though some of my expectations don`t exist, i am thanking the Almighty Allah, the NIU, and the US

Department of State because of the the fund and the things i have learned in the United States.

I learned many things from the Program speakers like the Intercultural orientation that Americans

aren`t really the same from the reality and in the movie, Even though they are powerful, some of them are

nice and some are not. Its also like in the Philippines, there are persons who are good and bad.The 3r`s of

Conservation are the reuse, reduce, and recycle. Even though they are only three, they are the most im-

portant thing to change the environment.Environmental Justice, is a form of environmentalism that at-

tempts to understand and the unequal burdens of environmental pollution that affects the people of color,

women and low income. And everyone must be equal to each other and also to the environment. And

Madagascar has a similarities in the Philippines, its a naturalist promised land and it was colonized 2000

years ago, even though we have different cultures, we have our own ideas to change the world. I learned

from Dr. Susan Russell, and also based from the film showing activities we watched, every people in the

world has its own understanding to change the world and make it a better place. You must respect the en-

vironment and we will respect our brothers too, yes i agreed with this word came from the Kayapo: Out of

the Forest film showing. We must really respect our environment to save our home, our land, and if you

keep on destroying it; you are like destroying your home. The 4 major sufficiency of grassroots leadership

organizing, first is the People; is the key resource of the problem because the problem starts with the own

idea of the person, and then second, people can also provide the solution of the problem, then third is the

local knowledge and it also needs self-sufficiency for the people learn to solve their problems and fourth

people to solve their problems can take for many years and also people with local knowledge can empow-

er themselves. Grassroots leader helps people in their environment to change. I also learned from his topic

are the differences of Bottom ups and Top Downers, its better to be in the middle because if you are in the

middle you are a very good leader, you have a balanced leadership. The regional hydrologic cycle, almost

all ground waters come from precipitation and precipitation infiltrates, reaches the water table and be-

comes a ground water. Through art, you can change the world by your own understanding and making

ideas; you can also use art by changing the sadness of the environment to be better. I also learned on how

to be a detective, about the Birder Admits Killing Cat, but was it an animal cruelty? No. I picked innocent

because he is just protecting the one he loved, the bird and thats why he killed the cat for the cause. The

Philippines is the most popular in using social media, and we can use social media by sharing our prod-

ucts or sharing to change the environment, you are like promoting a green earth advertisement. So with

the social media , you can change the environment. The public speaker must have eye to eye contact to

the person in front of you and making a speech is easy to say but difficult to make the first is the introduc-

tion, second is the body and the last is conclusion, you must only say the things you want to say or share. I

learned from Dr. Rey Ty, in general is that you must create or design and develop your own community

work to save your environment.

I have learned many skills like planning by my own, making some ideas, and understanding every-

thing. Planning by my own, i can now plan by my own to save the environment and making my commu-

nity planned project well. Making some ideas, i can now make some my own ideas about the environment

on how my community project will be sustainable in my community. Understanding everyone, Well you

cannot learn many things if you don`t understand. You must first understand everything before making an

idea and a strat-plan. I have learned new attitudes like you must be patient, active, alert, and aware. These

attitudes i have learned is for the community who waiting for my arrival to save my community from dis-

aster. The strength i consider for the Program is teamwork and cooperation because these are the main

important strength for the team. You must have a teamwork to share ideas, and knowledge to each person

of the group. Cooperation is also important, to make the group or team participate and listen well. The

challenges i consider for the Program is no cooperation, because if a team that cooperation is lacking, the

group will not participate or they won`t listen to the leader who is talking or discussing in front. To over-

come this problem, we must cooperate and listen to the leader who is discussing or suggesting in front.

When i come back to the Philippines, I will share what i have learned in the United States, so that they

would also be inspired and i will seek help from the DENR, CNR, LGU, our school, and my organization

to implement my community project as soon as possible.

Beyond of all of these knowledge i learned from the program, i can now implement my communi-

ty project “Islam Care for Environment” its objectives is to increase environmental awareness among the

Madrasahs in Tagoloan and to employ Islamic injunctions in caring for the environment. And to conduct

seminar on caring for the environment, to organize advocates of environment protection and plant-trees.

As a Vice President of the Student Council of Madrasah Itihad, I can tie up with the Ustadhs, the Student

Council, Local Government Unit , National Power Corporation- NR and some of the connections of my

father. For my post -activities; I will site visit, plan to make a banner and add a follow on seminar for

another barangay.

Therefore, i conclude that looking around the environment nowadays can make you feel uncom-

fortable due to environmental problems;and for that, you can feel that you are really willing to help con-

serving the environment and at the same time you are really doing a hard time works with that, but not the

last and not the least; we must always not forget to pray to Allah, to seek guidance and help for the things

you cannot do so that it will be possible to make it successful.

Will Work for Trees—Go Green

Faye A. Barandino

Mindanao is the second largest major island (based on surface area) in the Philippines. It located

in the southernmost end of the archipelago. The body of water surrounding the island of Mindanao is

likewise has a rich variety of fish, shellfish and corals.

With so many resources that Mindanao could offer many private sectors want to gain from this.

Thus, environmental issued takes place. Nowadays environment problem has really become the matter of

concern for people here in Mindanao. The environmental dangers that now face mankind are alarming.

Negative news about environmental problems can be heard and our place once a typhoon free, are now hit

by it. In a more specific case, Malamawi Island, Isabela City, Basilan which is located in Mindanao that

was once rich in mangrove trees are now getting bald because of human activities. With this situation,

there won’t be enough shelter for aquatic animals and imbalance of ecosystem.

When I stepped here in America, had a session, workshop, listened to the speakers and had out-

door experiences, I really learned a lot that will greatly be used for my plans to empower our community

problems. The learning contract, mission and strategies we made with Dr. Rey Ty at our first meeting help

me in the sense that I already have a foundation on how to start my work. I already have a guide so that I

won’t get lost in the middle of our journey. The Environmental Issues in the Philippines; and our role in

environmental sustainability and stewardship that Dr. Susan Russell taught us can be used as knowledge

on how to work on my action plan. The knowledge I got from the topic also taught to us by Dr. Holly Ni-

cholson about social media can greatly be used as part of the project. We can use facebook or other media

to spread the news about our plans. And also, the lesson about effective communication for community

organizing by Dr. Chris Birks can obviously be of great help to me since I’m also conducting a seminar.

With the situations that we (especially Malamwai Island in Basilan province) are facing now, I de-

cided to have a Mangrove Planting project and seminar. And with the great help of PYLP that taught me

not just to be an agent of change, but also gave me experiences and lessons, I can say that i’m ready to

conduct a project.

Taking care of our place especially our natural resources is what we should always do for the bet-

terment of our future. Let’s not do things that make us regret at the end. So, let’s start to plant some seeds

for us to reap something.

Work for the Environment Jeson Cabug-os

I. Environmental Situation

Where we live shapes the lives we lead. It is in our hands to handle the resources of our place, the natural re-

sources, and all other things which life exist. All we are certain, our actions towards life and environment

One of the significant problems in my chosen community is the sanitation. In the community, people live

nearby the sea shores and worst almost in the sea. There is an evident manifestation of improper disposal of

waste. It is caused by the people’s ignorance and their lack of discipline towards their lifestyle. This brought

them to diseases and other factors of unhealthiness. Having this kind of problem, there is a need to cater an

information drive to the citizens, to let them be aware of the precautions and hazards that improper sanitation

could bring them. After which, is the placement of task which is the organization of the campaign forum and

symposium that will enable them to have an awareness about proper sanitation. For this to become more con-

ducive there is a need to coordinate with the NGOs and the local government specially the Department of En-

vironment and Natural Resources to impose disciplinary actions to the citizens for them to have diligence and

respect to the environment.

After all, the actions made are still in the hands of the citizens.

II. Lo Acquisisco (I Acquired)

Getting old is mandatory. Growing up is optional. Thus, growing up with Philippine Youth Leadership

Program is the neither best option nor treasure I have in my life. New knowledge has been installed and up-

graded in my nerves. Primarily, our mind is our power. It is only the mind that works to mobilize a change for

the better, a power we must uplift towards actions for environment, a mind to be able to talk and understand.

When these happen, compassion follows, after such, an action occurs for a positive change.

On the other hand, I had learned the balanced leadership and dealing with people effectively. This has been

made possible by the intercultural experience I had in my host family. Moreover, Respect and Understanding

are the core values of engaging with people whom we call different from our upbringing and way of life or

simply, culture. Consequently, the valuable essence that I had learned from this program is that thinking glob-

ally helps us live in a diverse world. The broader we think the wider leadership and activism we have.

Hence, my way of applying all of these to my community in Mindanao are that first, I must share what I had

gained, a give and take relationship. Finally is the service that I will render to the community itself, to made

them feel partners of the service project, making each of us accountable our own environment.

III. Green Revolution: Act Green!

Shaping the best of our community requires hand in hand efforts and interest of people, especially the hope of

our fatherland, the youth of nation.

Baranggay Daliao is a community situated near the coastal area. It has the biggest population among

the 3 baranggays in the town. According to Baranggay Kagawad Rosalina Tega, the problems in her commu-

nity revolve in poor sanitation, coastal garbages, and flooding. Cognizant to these, I planned my project, Green

Revolution, a project with 3 actions accordingly to the community need assessment. First is the action of tight

information drive about proper sanitation. This will be possible through coordinating with the Center for

Health and health authorities of Toril District. Second is the clean-up drive along the coast of Daliao, it is a

side activity upon going to my next action, tree planting. Together with the young participants are the people

who live nearby. The third action is the Tree growing of the Bakawan trees in the Baro Kanipaan wherein

flood onften happens. Enable to maintain its growth and development; I plan to endorse a “panaad” to the co-

ordinator of Youth for Environment in Schools Organization of my high school before wherein I am in touch

to him. It is a pledge to monitor the Bakawan trees upon its growth and development where a commitment to

follow up every weekends the Bakawan.

I am looking forward for this to be successful. All I can say is I do this not to comply but to supply

what a responsible youth leader should be, creating efforts with real interest to shape the best of community.

Social and Environmental Justice for Mindanao

Sarah Jane Diang

Mindanao has vast natural resources. Many people from different walks of life enjoyed and treas-

ure the beauty and richness of the land. There may be issues and concern about the safety and security of

some its parts but that just it and perhaps conflict is ubiquitous. However, with these past few years come

apprehension about the environmental concern of our archipelago.

Mindanao was hardly hit by super typhoons or if ever, the mountains protect us too well. But we

were alarmed by devastating news around the archipelago: with a bit of more than usual rainfall, some

cities and provinces have been flooded which caused deaths of oven hundred thousands of people. Au-

thorities blamed it to our less concern for the environment. Thus, environmental programs from various

institutions flared up especially with the support of the environmental group from different institution.

With these in mind, I hope I will be able to do something to help concerned individuals and organ-

ization in helping to make the world a better living.

The PYLP lectures had opened my eyes on different issues a need to lay my eyes on. I have

learned interesting concepts very much related to the concept of peace and development: the concept of

Environmental Justice. We can not let minorities be oppressed and be burdened with toxic wastes of the

majorities. We should take accountability in our own action. We cannot make other people suffer.

When I get back to Mindanao I intend to make a project that will facilitate social harmony even in

diversity. If there’s harmony it would be much easier to facilitate programs towards environmental con-

servation, preservation and even rehabilitation.

With the concept of social and environmental justice in my mind, I hope I can mobilize my com-

munity towards a sustainable peace and development, and a world full of people who work together in

protecting and nurturing the environment.

Chasing My Dreams

May Fiel Divino

Our world today is facing a lot of environmental problems, especially in Mindanao. We al-

so have a lot of misconceptions about stuff regarding these, some doesn’t even have knowledge these and

there are also those who know about these but don’t care at all. Improper waste disposal & segregation,

deforestation and air pollution are the three major problems in the environment, in my opinion. First, im-

proper waste disposal is caused by lack of knowledge, lack of garbage bins and negligence. This would

lead to water and land pollution since some people just throw garbage in different bodies of water while

some just throw it on the streets. This problem can be solved through educating and encouraging the peo-

ple. This is through conducting a symposium and providing different bins for the different types of gar-

bage (biodegradable, non-biodegradable, recyclable), Second, deforestation caused by logging. Most peo-

ple think that it’s the fault of illegal logging. Yes it’s true, but legal logging contributes a much bigger ef-

fect in the deforestation since the government easily gives permits to loggers. This leads to floods and

landslides, for example, the Typhoon Pablo. The solution to this is to plant more trees and to limit the

number of loggers that are being given permits. Local government units and non-profit organizations

could conduct tree planting activities and information drive to bring awareness to the people. Lastly, air

pollution, it is caused by the burning of plastics and smoke belching. Most people think that “kaingin”,

which is done by farmers wherein they burn underbrush and trees and plowing the ashes under for ferti-

lizer, causes air pollution when in fact it doesn’t. Kaingin only burn plants, so it doesn’t pollute the air.

The effects of air pollution are of polluted air and sick people.

In my almost 1 month stay in NIU I learned a lot, new and different knowledge, skills and values

every day. I now have knowledge about the environmental issues, grassroots organizing and many more.

Also, I learned new skills about public speaking, writing a speech a speech, making an action plan and

even dancing. I also liked how we used the social network sites to advertise the environmental concerns.

Aside from that, I developed values such as helpfulness, generosity, friendliness, humility and a lot more.

Environmental issues such as in Madacasgar, water pollution and food processing were some of the new

knowledge that I learned. Also, I learned the right way to implement a project is through grassroots organ-

izing. That they should be called as partners instead of beneficiaries and the term is empower instead of

help. Other than that, I ‘m glad that I was able to learn hip hop, for “Art for Social Change” and I now

have more knowledge about public speaking and writing a good speech. Also, I liked wherein we were

assigned with the different issues and should present a social networking site to advertise those. I would

apply all of these in my community through the project that I will be working on. Another way is to act

out and leave with those values and also, to share to others those skills and teach them in a way that I can.

Knowing that there are various environmental issues in Mindanao, I conducted a survey in my

chosen community. The result shows that improper waste disposal and segregation is their biggest prob-

lem, because of this, their community is dirty. My community project would be called “3Rs for a Clean

and Green Mandug!”. According to the survey, the community needs garbage collections, garbage bins

and knowledge about the 3Rs. I’m planning to first, contact the city government regarding the garbage

collection; second, to educate the people about the 3Rs then give trash bins after; third, since the commu-

nity is poor, they need a livelihood. With the collected recyclable garbage, I would ask some organiza-

tions to teach the people on how to recycle that garbage in order for those to be sold. With the help of

NGOs, my clubs in my school, family, friends, and most especially, God’s grace, this project would be

possible.

Environmental Situation, Learnings, and My Community Project

Jevern Latimban Ellaga

I. Environmental Situation

Our Community is rich in natural resources however, people are abusing it. Many of them are be-

ing engaged in illegal logging activities and charcoal productions wherein they just cut the trees and

never replace it. They cut trees in different areas without the government’s permission .As a result,

landslides and floods are rushing their way on us. Because of this and the vast agricultural plantations

in the prone-to-landslide zones and even in the protected areas and land reserves, last September 2011,

there was a flood that swiped eight houses near the river. Fortunately, no one dies but the damaged

done was estimated at least one-million pesos. Because of this tragedy many organizations was

alarmed to plant trees. Thousands of trees were planted however as I visit those trees, only hundreds

of them only survived. The main problem is the lack of time, attention and care to those little trees

which has the potential to save lives.

II. Learnings

It’s been a long time since I left Mindanao to search for a better future here in United States. Time

passes by and I didn’t noticed that I was already here by almost a month.

I have learned many things through this Philippine Youth Leadership Program. I`ve learned how

to mingle with different personalities. Before, I am afraid but now I can conveniently mingle with

them after finishing series of trainings and seminars. I’ve learned how be a good and effective leader.

We were also taught how to be an efficient one in participating environmental change programs and

activisms globally. I learned useful information about the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, the use of

Social Media for the promoting the chosen community project, Organizing Environmental Justice:

Community Health Effects of Industrial Food Production, Effective Communication for Community

Organizing and the Action Plan making. We were also introduced in the top ten major environmental

problems in USA which is similar to the Philippines and how can we resolve it.

Through those varieties of tours, I have learned lots of things about current issues in our environ-

ment, that practical information about livestock, the extinction of different animals, the pollution, the

destructions and the possible solutions for these problems. In became serious in making a footstep in

environmental change an activism-I became a certified environmental lover.

This knowledge is very useful in saving our environment from destruction. I can apply all of this

through my community project. It will not just be a waste of time for I will share to everybody and I

will always keep this in my mind wherever I will be.

III. My Community Project

My Community Project is Tree Growing. It aims to assure the 100% survival of at least 100 lit-

tle trees planted in the Riverbank. By this program I can solve the existing problem in our community-

the death of the potential little trees. I together with the volunteers and partner organizations will visit

the riverbanks and will be assigned in different areas. We will pull out the grasses around the tree, put

fertilizer if needed, replace the dead trees and put tree guards on it. Then we will visit it at least once a

month to assure the healthy growth of the tree.

For Good and Not for Worse

Noryn Jane Maravilla Esguerra

(1) Wicked Things that is Happening now in Mindanao. Wicked things happen in Mindanao because

of the people that are being insensitive to the people around them that are also affected on what’s happen-

ing. To say the accuracy, there are many major problems that the Mindanaoans are facing in their every-

day lives. The first one is the illegal logging. Because of lack of work by the people in Mindanao they are

forced to get the job and be an illegal logger just to have something to give for their family but the effects

of it are to lose the life of their loved ones because of floods and landslides. The second one is the threat

to animals specially on water species. People use the animals in illegal ways like killing them to sell in

canteens for food, selling it to the other countries and specially to the water species using the dynamite

fishing. We can lose this extinct animals that gives also a job to the fisherman so that they can give some-

thing for their family. And the last but not the least is the improper waste management. It is happening in

Mindanao because of the attitudes of the people. They doesn’t care about the effects on what they are do-

ing and it could bring floods, bad views/comments about Mindanao and also many people will die be-

cause of diseases that they can get on it. The only solution for this major problems is to let their minds be

open and let them realize what will happen if they were still do those wicked things in Mindanao and also

with the help of the youth organizations and the Government officials we can do something better for

Mindanao.

(2) Everything on Earth has a Solution. Philippine Youth Leadership Program is indeed a big help to

me. It doesn’t only build a person to be a better individual but it also teaches every individual to unite and

also it helps our country the Philippines. Environmental problems and solutions are the things that we

must learn here in Unites States. Water contamination, how the owners of factories treat the animals and

their workers farmers, food contamination, effects of climate change, effects of deforestations, destructive

fishing strategies, unsustainable agriculture, pollution of marine habitats. This are only some of the envi-

ronmental problems all over the world specially in United States and Philippines. We know it’s hard for

us to solve this but then if we help each other, it will be easy for us. With the help of our family members,

relatives, classmates, schoolmates, friends, youth leaders, different youth organizations, our government

official and the non-government organization the community projects of us will be more easy to do and

we know it will be sustainable to everyone and we don’t know what will happen. Maybe the project can

have its part two and it will be held in another community. We can really solve this by our own too. We

just have to discipline ourselves on how to use our environment properly and with care. By being a model

for the betterment of our environment, we must do good things for us to influence the others.

(3) This is for Everyone. Do you know how important is the mangrove trees? Do know what are the con-

tributions of it? Well, some of you doesn’t know anything. Well, mangroves are various types of trees up

to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats in tropics and subtropics. It on-

ly means that mangrove trees can really help us and also our environment. Water species also get some

nutrients to the trees. It also gives an employment to the community people. And I choose this as my

community project because eco-forestation is my passion. I love to plant trees. It also gives a fresh air for

us to breathe well. But the three main important reasons that I choose mangrove trees are (a)it helps to

produce a wide range of goods and services for coastal environment, (b) to reduce the times for having

floods in the community, and last but not the least is to reduce the climate change because mangroves has

been suggested for climate change mitigation. I can also do this community projects because I know I can

easily tap the different organizations of our city to help me, also the government officials, barangay offi-

cials and specially the community folks of the said barangay. In conclusion, Mangroves can give a

big help to our environment. It can also help to reduce the climate change and the last but not the least

services shall be given for the community. For it, my community project to be sustainable, I need the help

of the community people to take care and use it in a proper way for them to have a great environment.

And It All Adds Up to One

Rizza Angelie L. Fernandez

Melts

Trees used to be so abundant, surroundings were clean and all we ever breathe on was clean air.

But, through time, so much change happened and it is something that we all should cope up with. It is

frustrating to realize that the changes that occurred has led into something negative. When we should have

done something about it, we all didn't. So now, we are suffering the consequences of our irresponsible

acts. The environment is greatly destroyed now and if we continue to do our old deeds, we might not have

some place to live in anymore.

As of the moment, the Philippines needs so much attention in terms with environmental issues be-

cause pollution is everywhere. But, as for Zamboanga, I have identified few issues such as poor sanita-

tion, improper disposal and power crisis or what we call power shortage. Though Zamboanga is not left

behind in terms of economy, the city has risky environmental problems.

Poor sanitation is rampant in the city. It does not only apply at home but this poor sanitation in-

volves the way people just dump garbage along the way, how they could be so comfortable to just throw

waste along the rivers and all that. Now we ask, what is the cause? It is the lack of awareness of people.

They think that it won't do them any harm or nothing will happen but the truth is, it is extremely risky be-

cause at some point, having poor sanitation can lead to people acquiring diseases. I believe it would be

great if the government would strictly implement policies and do more to make sure people are informed.

As a student, I can help in disseminating the word of us trying to practice cleanliness.

In all parts of the Philippines, there is an improper waste disposal. It is a big problem, I must say.

This is caused by having lack of information and people just don't care at all. Given the fact that there is

an improper waste disposal, surroundings would get polluted. A solution for this would be educating peo-

ple and establish a mechanism for people to follow in disposing their trash. For my part, I could teach

people about recycling and encourage people of proper waste management.

Lastly, for Zamboanga, power shortage has become a big issue. This is cause by the lack of power

supply because we mainly depend on hydropower and it is not enough as of the moment to provide eve-

ryone with electricity. So, when there is lack of power supply there is a delay in productivity. A solution

would be us, resorting to other power supplies and not hydro power instead. We can consider coal power

plants and not solar power because it might be too expensive. I can show support with the desire for re-

sorting to other power source.

So basically, those are the environmental issues and I believe in time, we can improve all these

and not allow situations to worsen.

Half Cooked

In the last past few days, I have been loaded with a lot if things. Along with the busy schedule

comes the fun in between. I have learned that leadership is most effective when we have the involvement

of top downers and bottom ups because there are times when we need to listen to the community and

there are times when we should identify something which is good for her. Being a leader, I have seen en-

vironmental justice to be essential for the people to know. See, every community is different therefore; we

must get to know each other's cultures before taking action to resolve something. When we know it is

good for the community in all the angles that you take, resolutions could be more helpful if they would

involve people, local knowledge, solution and self-sufficiency and in that way, not only do we preserve

the community but also the environment.

With all the efforts, time and the waiting part, all these finally paid off. Well, not much but, why

do I say so? It could be because in just two weeks of being here, there are a lot of things that changed

therefore; I am still adjusting to the change that my system is bringing about. Together with that is the de-

velopment of new skills and how we possess values for the good. When you talk about skills, well my

leadership skills have been enhanced because of the sessions. Public speaking skills are also enhanced and

that is made out of the everyday activity we have because in all the sessions, we get to talk no matter what

happens. When you talk about values, I think first in the list is how we should listen one another and hon-

or everyone's opinion. I believe that in that way, we develop good communication skills and it is the start

of establishing good relationship between people and groups of people. I would have to day that being

punctual is something that I am already becoming. In the past few days, I realized how important time is.

With all these things I gained, when I get back to Zamboanga, I am now a better leader. Out of this pro-

gram, I know that I will be formed into an agent of change. So, all of these things can be used as I contin-

ue to become a part of the student council and it is very important that I can use all these in implementing

my community project. The values that I learned can be used for my daily routine because I know it will

make me a better person. When you talk about the things I learned, they serve as my armor now. I am

now more aware and informed so, when something is going on in my community, I can stand up for the

group not because I think I am good but instead because I know the rights of everyone in a community.

Returning the Favor

It is important that we make environmental justice available for everyone in the community.

Therefore, after all the community assessment, the trainings, sessions and exposures, I have come up with

a project that will not only be beneficial for me but for everyone in the community of Patalon and maybe,

everyone else in the city. I have decided to do a riverside clean-up and tree planting. With the help of dif-

ferent organizations be it school-based, city wide or national, I will not only be able to plant a hundred of

Gemelina trees but, there will also be a safer environment because the surroundings may be free from

trash. Before the actual implementation of the project, I will have to talk with the leaders in the communi-

ty for me to be able to get volunteers from them. In order for the activities to be a success, there would be

an orientation and final instructions for all the volunteers specially because it will be a buddy system. This

buddy system is between a volunteer and a kid from the community. I will also have to make a request for

seedlings from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. In order to make this project pos-

sible, I would have to involve the community itself for it to be more sustainable aside from me, together

with my volunteers visiting the community on Saturdays.

Why did I choose this project? Through the sessions we had, as I gained more knowledge about

the importance of the environment, I believe that trees should be restored because it does not only lessen

the presence of carbon dioxide in the ozone layer but it also protects people from natural calamities. I

learned that the community I chose used to have a lot of trees but as time passed by, they weren't available

for the community anymore. It is also important that bodies of water, along with its surroundings, are kept

clean because contamination in the water will occur and that is another problem. So, in order to avoid

that, I think it would be best if the riverside will get cleaned up.

To sum it all up, with all the connections and organizations, I will do a project that involves river-

side cleaning and tree planting for the benefit of the people in the community so that they may be able to

live a healthy and green environment.

Inevitable Environmental Issues, Learnings, and Change

Samantha Marie Frial

Section 1: Inevitable Environmental Issues

There are many problems that Mindanao is facing nowadays. But I would just give 3 of them as

examples. These are the major problems for me. First is cutting down of trees for charcoal making. Why

would people engage themselves to this? For livelihood, of course. What will be the effect? Floods, air

pollution and may harm our respiratory system. What can be the possible solutions? I would introduce to

them an alternative livelihood or source of income aside from charcoal making. And my tasks, I would

find that alternative livelihood for those people.

Second is land pollution. It is caused by improper disposal of garbage. And this may result to

floods, clogging of canals and may cause certain diseases. One solution is to dispose garbage properly.

My task is to help discipline people to know where their garbage should be disposed.

And last but not the least; the third one is global warming. It is caused by burning of plastics, ille-

gal logging and using of leaded gasoline. And this may result to greenhouse effect and our ozone layer

will be destroyed. Solutions for these problems are many, but I will only give a few, and these are, avoid

burning of plastics, use unleaded gasoline and plant more trees. My task is to educated people about the

effects of global warming so that they can help protect our environment.

Section 2: Learnings

There are many things that I have learned here in training. All about recycling, the 3rs’s, how im-

portant conservation is, environmental justice and a whole lot more.

The values that I have learned here are: perseverance, being responsible and unity. You really

need to work hard on group activities, for yourself and also for others. It’s like survival of the fittest; you

need to work hard in order to survive. Then, being responsible in the sense that you need to be responsible

on how you will manage your time wisely because of all the things you need to accomplish, be responsi-

ble on how to budget your own money, and be responsible enough on how to deal well with your co-

participants. Then lastly, unity because no matter how diverse everyone is in terms of culture, beliefs, per-

sonalities and etc., with unity, everyone can be as one and work hand in hand to empower the society to-

wards a better future.

I think, the things that I should apply from all the things I’ve learned are the values. Because no

matter how much you know, if you don’t have the right attitude and values, you won’t achieve anything.

Section 3: Change

My community project is entitled Bamboo-Planting in Sinawal River Bank. This project was first

introduced to me by our local AFS Chapter. Sinawal River bank is located near our subdivision. And

when we went there, I’ve learned that B’Laans can no longer use the river because it has been contami-

nated by pig’s manure from a nearby farm. So, with this problem, I’ve come up to plant Bamboo Plants

on the side of the river because it can help clean the river as well as bring a new source of livelihood for

the people living there because they can sell the bamboo. And In hope, through God on my side, I can re-

ally be a catalyst for change.

Colorful Rainbow of the Future

Mary Kristine Gerali

Well I can tell you a lot of environmental issue in Mindanao but I just want to focus in Cagayan de

Oro City. We are one of the fastest growing cities in Philippines but we are also the one who don’t care

about our environment. One of the major problems is Waste Management. It causes a lot of things. One of

it is that the trash are scattered everywhere because people doesn’t care about it and they are uneducated

about it. Illegal Logging has also been the problem in our city. It causes loss of trees and loss of home to

many animals. Its effect is the growth of many endangered species animals and flooding. Mining has been

one of our greatest problems. It causes land deterioration and chemicals destroy the river since its dirt

flow in it.

I learned a lot of things in NIU! I enjoy every second of it. One of the most amazing learning that I

have learned is that be a leader but sometimes you have to be a follower. Sometimes we should submit to

others because we don’t know their strategies are much better than ours. I also learned how important for

us to know the need of our community by the local people than thinking what we think they need. I also

learned how important to have a balanced leadership where we are the leader and also the follower. I also

learned how important for us to take advantage on what we have in our community and to be creative on

how to produce or do some product. My stay in NIU is so exciting that every day is like a new adventure

and learning for me.

I will apply all the things I have learned for this past month and use this for my community project.

My community project is about colored/recyclable materials. It is a contest between all high school

schools to build a recyclable trash bin. This trash bin will be distributed to different parts of Sitio in

Cagayan de Oro. It has different colors so that the people can easily identify where they should put their

garbage. We also want to educate people in proper waste disposal and to educate them how to make new

things out of garbage as their livelihood.

Fun in Learning Also Helping to be a Catalyst of Change

Duaine Janiola

Holding the Title

Mindanao is considered as the land of promise, why?

Don’t you just love the sweet and juicy pineapple? If you have ever eaten one (and you probably have),

chances are this delicious fruit came from the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Because of its rich

biodiversity and abundance of natural resources that can be tapped into to make the country richer, Min-

danao is also known as the ‘Land of Promise’. However, until now this promise has been far from fully

achieved….

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines at 104,630 square kilometers, and is the

eighth most populous island in the world. The island of Mindanao is larger than 125 countries worldwide,

including the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Czech Republic,Hungary, and Ireland. The island is moun-

tainous, and is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the country. Mindanao is surrounded by 4

seas: the Sulu Sea to the west,[4]

the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south, and the

Mindanao Sea to the north. Of all the islands of the Philippines, Mindanao shows the greatest variety of

physiographic development. High, rugged, faulted mountains; almost isolated volcanic peaks; high rolling

plateaus; and broad, level, swampy plains are found there.

The island group of Mindanao encompasses Mindanao island itself and the Sulu Archipelago to the

southwest. The island group is divided into six regions, which are further subdivided into 26 provinces.

Clash of the Cultures

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each

individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences. These can be along the dimensions of

race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs,

political beliefs, or other ideologies.

It is the exploration of these differences in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment. It is about under-

standing each other and moving beyond simple tolerance to embracing and celebrating the rich dimen-

sions of diversity contained within each individual.

Cultural Competence refers to the process by which individuals and systems respond respectfully and ef-

fectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, disabilities, religions,

genders, sexual orientation and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the

worth of individuals, families and communities and protects and preserves the dignity of each.

Operationally defined, cultural competence is the integration and transformation of knowledge about in-

dividuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropri-

ate cultural settings to increase the quality of services, thereby producing better outcomes.

This program taught me how to interact with the people in my country that I never get to deal with

before and also learning their culture is one of the most basic things I learned from them, culture, lan-

guage and ethnicity. No matter how many kilometers separate us from home, no matter how many differ-

ences we have, we always fall into one ground and that is leadership. The most amazing thing is that we

started to be a change that we wanted to see when we are still young, this is a good start for us because as

we go on with our lives, we learned to establish connection, good communication and partnership with

our countrymen and also from different country.

Take every chance, Drop every fear

This opportunity comes only once in a lifetime, so Try all the things that you never did before, get

out of your comfort zone and enjoy little things that make you happy. Be different, crazy and fruitful of

the learning’s you have gained, do not do the same mistakes over and over instead make a new one and

learn from it to be a better and sensible person in the society.

Carrying the title of being the catalyst of change has its perks, meeting these people turned my life

around, In my world I was an outcast and I felt Im worthless, this program made me feel special and that I

belong somewhere and that people count on me. The people I met taught me something I never knew be-

fore and that’s special friendship that you build in just an hour I guess we are who we are for a lot of rea-

sons. And maybe we’ll never know most of them. But even if we don’t have the power to chose where we

come from, we can still chose where we go from there. And from being a meaningless outcast I became a

person who I thought I’d never be, a catalyst of change. That’s a pretty tough job, but all the memories,

friends and learnings I have made in this place, I will carry all of these home and remember them every

single day and use them to change someone’s life also.

Traversing the Way towards the Realization of Ecological Activism Aisah Malong

Community Environmental Problems and Foreseen Solutions The existence of the varying environmental problems always tend to touch our lives with devastat-

ing consequences – a product of human’s carelessness and nature of wasting. Particularly, in my commu-

nity, it could be concluded that most of the negative environmental situations are linked to the destructive

activities of the people. Among these problems that we have at hand are deforestation, improper waste

management and flooding.

Our trees have been severely cut just as it is a common scenario in many parts of the country -may it be a

legal or illegal logging. Most of the people may have not really internalized the glaring fact that this has to

take a great toll on their lives. We consume more than what nature can provide with respect to time. Some

of the solutions are of course to plant trees that will replace what were lost and to even multiply those as

needed, and most especially to enforce implemented laws regarding this problem. It is but disgusting

when we keep on implementing laws yet we even lack the needed efforts to ensure that they are really

carried out. So, I should help resolve this by coordinating or voicing out concerns to the government offi-

cials, conducting tree planting activities, and inviting more volunteers to accomplish this goal.

We also need to resolve the problem in the improper management of waste that is most noticeable in one

of the squatter areas in our place. Even though we are frequently reminded that our collective wastes

cause health hazards, we fail to realize that this is indeed a reality. We can see the effects in the environ-

ment – dirty surroundings with its associated health risks. Addressing this requires proper dissemination

of information regarding the ways on how to properly manage waste as well as the imposing of self-

discipline among individuals to be responsible of disposing their own wastes. This can be made possible

by conducting seminars to the public and coordinating with the government officials.

Furthermore, these two problems have even contributed to another problem that we have in our communi-

ty which is flooding that is also caused by overflowing rivers. When water drainages are clogged by

wastes, when trees aren’t enough to absorb water, what is there to expect? Of course, flooding occurs that

cause destruction and damage of properties and of course inconvenience to the residence. In order to re-

solve this, I must carry out the solutions in the previous problems and also to cooperate and support the

projects addressing the rehabilitation of riverbanks.

Knowledge and Values Acquisition: Pioneers for Implementing an Essential and Effective Commu-

nity Project

For the past sessions that we had for the Philippine Youth Leadership (PYLP), among the many

things I’ve learned that will be essential to the near implementation of my project are the five ways to es-

tablish a project that was discussed by Dr. Sue. These are to (1) Investigate wherein you come to think of

the resources that you will need, as well as the required skills, talents and assets, consult references and

conduct some surveys, (2) to prepare through brainstorming and activity planning, (3) to get going and act,

(4) to think back and reflect whether you’ve done those things efficiently and accordingly and lastly (5) to

demonstrate and tell others about your advocacy.

Moreover, I also learned that the way to become an effective leader is to exercise a balanced lead-

ership where you have the best of the top downers who seek local knowledge and evaluate through the

community people and the best of the bottom ups who have expert knowledge about the community prob-

lems through thorough study, research, and other ways of knowledge-seeking. To make it even better,

you could also adopt the approach where you (1) Identify the problems of the community, (2) Define

wherein you analyze your understanding of the context of the problems you’ve found out, (3) Evaluate

where you look through the previous solutions that have been used to resolve them and (4) Apply what

you’ve learned by incorporating the past solutions with the new, better approaches.

On the other hand, one of the best values that I have learned in the PYLP is the essence of collaborative

efforts. It has been precisely evident to me that people who have leadership abilities that carry different

personalities who possess their own unique and great ideas that create a really fantastic blend. They exer-

cise leadership in varied aspects and still, they achieve a united goal. Although we are considered leaders

in our own ways, yet when we all combine what each adopts it builds an even stronger leadership founda-

tion and spirit.

Having learned these knowledge and value, they could be very useful for me in helping my com-

munity in Mindanao by being able to pinpoint effectively the real needs of the community and having suf-

ficient knowledge to deal with and handle them, choose the right people to coordinate with and have or-

ganized plans. I think that in this way, my project will run smoothly especially if I work with brilliant

people who have lots of great ideas and passion for activism that can help fulfill the needs of our commu-

nity.

Realized Community Project: The Sweet Taste of Advocating Ecological Activism

From the learning experiences that I had in the PYLP, my community project will target mangrove

rehabilitation.

Upon deciding about my project, I have taken into consideration of what Sir Rey had told us that we

should ensure that it should not just be what you think the community needs but it should be something

that the community really prefers to be addressed as well.

During my community needs assessment activity, the Team Head of the City of Natural Resources and

Environment Office (CENRO), Engr. Valiente Lastimoso, spoke about the necessity of planting 25 000

mangrove trees to establish mangrove habitat(s) prior to their coastal resource management project. Based

on the accomplishment report, they are already planted an equivalent of the 71% of the targeted number

of trees.

Moreover, it is also indicated in the accomplishment report that there were a couple of participating

groups that help them to complete the project every month during the year 2012 where my current school,

Mindanao State University have joined this during February and July.

Although this seems to be a simple tree planting activity, it should be stressed however, that man-

grove can contribute lots of positive impacts for the environment. It can be a feeding ground for both mi-

cro and macroscopic animals, a habitat for smaller animals, a buffer against waves and weather disturb-

ances. Furthermore, it improves water quality by trapping sediments and address climate change since it

releases oxygen.

With all the things that PYLP has taught me, I have ambitious hopes for my future endeavors in helping

my community to combat environmental issues that should not just end in this project. Also, I am looking

forward to better plans ahead of me for this program had turned me into a better person with a better per-

sonality.

Balance between Quality Living and Resource Conservation

Ayana Jamnia G. Maranda

So, what is the problem?

Mindanao is blessed with natural resources, from fruits and vegetables to different aston-

ishing tourist spots but one cannot fathom of how it has also exceptional problems. Generally, I found

these problems worsening in Mindanao. On my part, I focused in Iligan City, the City where I belong and

in the recent years, it has been hit by many disasters that were driven by the worsening climate change.

The first major problem is, overfishing and destructive fishing that is according to Asian Development

Bank (ADB) there has been a drop of 90% in the quantity of marine organisms that can be trawled in

some traditional fishing areas in the Philippines. The root cause is on the ineffective policies and poor en-

forcement of fishery laws. For this, I believe that there is a great call for officials to engage and look back

on their policies for a stricter implementation. Second, is in all forms of pollution that is in the context of

poor waste management treatment and high population growth. As a keen observant and we cannot deny

the fact that almost all of us are also the abusers, this is a cause of poor planning and weak management

and enforcement of regulations because maybe people are too lax and confident that nothing will change

and happen if we continue to disregard the bad habits that we have, when in fact the drastic changes of the

environment ie. Climate change and global warming is taking effect on us. Third and the last is deforesta-

tion in Iligan City, there have been a lot of displaced people while others are traumatized by Typhoon

Sendong or international name, Typhoon Washi that killed almost a million of people solely in the city.

Climate-change is after-effects of human abuses towards the environment. Illegal logging and the city’s

lack of comprehensive waste segregation plan might be a factor to blame. But it will always trickle down

to mentality of the public. The breeding complacency and apathy of the people towards becoming stew-

ards against waste and abusers contribute to the problem. For me, reforestation and community awareness

is a must in the community for people to internalize and realize the effects of it.

Sometimes, it’s Fun to be a Sponge in Absorbing All the Knowledge

To capsulized but emphasize what I learned, firstly, on the American crash course, diversity of

one’s culture is one thing that is emphasized. American culture and Filipino Culture is different in terms

of body language, personal space, money, greetings and culture which is individualist and collectivist,

respectively. Moving on for the following lectures, I have learned that the relationship of food and envi-

ronment is like our own cultural principles- a matter of perspective. In terms of environmental issues in

the Philippines, one thing that is imprinted on my mind is the concept of Ecological Footprint, which

means that it represents and amount of biologically productive land and sea are necessary to supply the

resources a human population has. Though the term is new to me but actually it is happening in society,

which means that if the biological capacity of the planet exceeded, plants, animals and trees can be affect-

ed by being crowded out or damaged by waste or destruction. In the matter of leadership, the Grass Roots

Organizing is really helpful in terms of organizing and implementing our community project. In terms of

dealing with the community the fact that people are not the problem but it is the ideas in our head. With

that, the combination of the application of bottom ups and top downers is effective in such a way that

there is a balance approach in a more realistic way such as there must be and imposed universal

knowledge for everyone and that there are time where there is really a follower. With this, it can help us

build up a project that is harmonious and does not step on others beliefs or traditions wherein the people

are diverse.

Through this program even for just two weeks, I have acquired the skill of communicating openly

to different people especially with a different nationality and even cultures or beliefs. The program gave

me the avenue to learn from each other and exchange different views. It also deepened my understanding

and respect not just to the Americans but for my fellow participants as well, in the case of listening and

understanding their opinions. Moreover, the values that I have acquired is from one of the movie that Dr.

Sue had shown to us which is, Food Inc., it gave me a point to remember that we must question and de-

mand for something what our body is taking, example from where are the foods that we eat come from

and the fruits and vegetables grown. We do not just accept what is given to us especially in the matters of

food that is processed by companies and what not, food is one thing that is essential to our life and that we

have to take care of our bodies and for the future generations to still experience healthy and nutritious

food.

In just a two week span, knowledge and experiences combined is the best teacher. I am bringing

home in Mindanao the learning that I have gained in such a way that I will be able to implement a project

that is multi-cultural, inter-generational and most importantly useful to the survivors of Typhoon Sendong

that will engage them into something that is new, innovative, and they can relate to and be at peace with

the environment after the destruction that happened.

There will always be a Room for Improvement

Now that we know the debilitating effects of these environmental abuses, it’s time to orchestrate

our active response. And the strategy would be implementing environmental awareness through green

mobilization efforts. Iligan City residents, who have been victims, need engaging programs that can light-

en their fear towards this world and start feeling anew of hope and optimism. My project aims to empow-

er a resilient Iliganon through greenism. This will run for about a month until the community people

themselves can sustain this project. This project is targeted on the stakeholders and aim to maximize par-

ticipation from different people of this community. Moreover, the project focuses first on the mothers, it

is called vermin-composting. Since that most of the mothers who live in these relocation sites are not yet

fully acquainted to their current situation after what happened, we have to engage them into something

new. The environmental approach of gardening would be strategic way of making them feel that they can

be at peace with environment in something that is innovative and something they can easily relate to.

With the help of National Power Corporation- Watershed Management Division, we can teach the skills

about vermin-composting. There is a big empty site at the back portion of the camp, making it an easy

location. The good thing about vermin-composting is that we can utilize our environmental resources to

improve the harvests in the garden. The next focus will be the children, these are engaging games and

knowledge on handling of solid waste management. I will have to prepare a couple of environmental

games for the young people to play. Some of them have memorable hymns and tones and all of the games

are really very engaging. In reality, almost al the games can be integrated with an environmental lesson.

For example, the game “Ride, ride, ride in my little fat pony” can teach a lesson about doing things with a

partner, which symbolizes unity. Unity can then be a lesson on how to make efforts for environment suc-

cessful. Another example is incorporating dance steps to traditional chants like, “Burn! It’s hot in here!

There must be some carbon in the atmosphere!” Anything that applies to the context would work.

Through these environmental games, we can appeal environmentalism in an entertaining way as well as

tech environmental lessons. This way, we are shaping future leaders who will be the guardians of Mother

Earth for the next generations. This project is ensured to be interfaith, inter-ethnic, and intergenerational.

In closing, I believe that we have to maximize environmental programs and introduce innovative

solutions to long-standing problems. We have to maximize our options right now and this project will be

a new start for a resilient Iliganon. After all, it is our common goal to stand again from the strings of Ty-

phoon Sendong and all other disasters which hits the city. By introducing, the concept of a resilient

Iliganon we send a message of optimism and tenacity to fight against different challenges.

Environmental Situation

Mustari, Jalalodin

These are the major problem in my community 1) Illegal logging 2)Improper waste manage-

ment3)Child Laboring. The causes of those problem are;1)Lack of job or work. 2)Lack of imple-

menting some rules and regulation.3)Lack of financial support due to having no job. The big effect

of those problems are 1)It causes floods , landslide and destroy of one’s property. 2)It also causes

floods and some diseases like skin disease. It also causes destroy of our natural resources. 3) Child

will become a problem in a certain society. They will become criminals like a murderer etc. be-

cause they are not educated. And I think the possible solution 1) Plant some trees 2) Impose some

policies that will enable the people not to through their garbage .improperly and establish a lot of

trash bin where they can through it on. 3) Educate those children through service learning.

These are the things that I need to do 1) Coordinate with the community leaders to ask for help or

assistance for the betterment of a certain society. 2) Provide separate the three kinds of trash bin

into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable. 3) Serve those uneducated children through

little services like service learning or sharing what you have and what you can do.

PYLP provides me enough experience for me to have a better project that I may apply in my

community to lessen the problems there. I learned a lot of knowledge and skills , I discovered new

talents that I never had before. But there is one thing that I feel so important for me and which is

very applicable to the community project that I want to have and can be a new regulation in Min-

danao is preserving our natural resources and protection for the animals or species . the knowledge

that I’ve gained can be applied to my chosen project in such a way that we should keep the lake

clean, because if this will be consumed by garbage it can cause pollution specifically water, so in

the way of cleaning it up you can avoid flood, lessen the garbage, preserve the natural resources

and you can even prevent the aquatic organisms not to extinct. It will actually lead to a big change.

My chosen community service is Lake –Side Cleaning which I named “live and Make the Lake

Alive”. One major problem that I’ve notice in Marinaut Marawi city is garbage. So I find that they

need help to solve this problem. I have one project composes of three activities. 1st one is an orien-

tation or a seminar the purpose of this activity is to educate people and to increase their awareness

in disposal of garbage. I have three topics to discuss 1st one is proper disposal of wastes 2

nd is a

short information about child laboring 3rd

one is a short information about observing proper hy-

giene. The second activity is the lake side cleaning where we are going to clean the lake together

with the community volunteer . The last activity is a recycling competition . Since we are doing a

fashion show ever year I grabbed this opportunity to impose the 3R specifically recycling. We’re

going to use recyclable materials in the activity. I think and hope that my project will be sustaina-

ble because we have agreed with my community volunteers that every Sunday morning we are go-

ing to visit the specific place to observe if they are doing the things that I’ve instructed them dur-

ing the seminar or orientation. My partnership in this project are the DCNTP or Dansalan College

Next Top Model, some of the PYLP 9 alumni, SBO or Student Body Organization , some volun-

teer high school student from my school, Barangay Marinaut Organization. I think that within my

energy and strength I can accomplish this project. I’ll do my very best to accomplish this project.

Environmental Situation, Learning in the Program, & Community Project Action

Rikk Nicholson M. Nalzaro

Section 1: Environmental Situation

Great Thorns

One of the three major problems in my hometown in the City of Mati, Davao Oriental is the threats to dif-

ferent marine species. In the latter, turtles and “dugongs” are being killed and often eaten by the local residents near

the shoreline and, in the past years, it has grown into really big problem. These killings may result to an imbalance

in the marine food chain lowering a species’ population which may lead to actual extinction.

Deforestation (destruction of forests) is another major problem in my area of focus. It is primarily caused

by illegal logging and may lead to greater, more dangerous floods (given lesser trees to absorb flood water) and

devastating landslides (given lesser trees that reduce the probability of erosion.

In addition, pollution becomes more heightened because lesser trees purify the air around us. Death of an-

imals may even result to this problem. These are perhaps some of the great thorns of our community in Davao Ori-

ental.

Section 2: Learning in the Program

Our Responsibility

In my short stay in Illinois, I learned a lot of things about different aspects of the society and of our lives.

The best thing I’d say I have learned is that every community is different and that people are the key re-

source which I got from Mr. Garth Katner.

Through first-hand experience with different cultures, I have realized that a solution could be ineffective or even be

a taboo in another place’s culture. It is imperative that in addressing a community problem, we should take into

consideration the solutions that they have tried whether it succeeded or failed and more importantly, consider their

culture and traditions as well. With this knowledge, I could be more open to opinions and less biased when doing

my community project in my hometown and hopefully, it’ll be more effective.

Furthermore, the challenge of having a community project is actually empowering the people and making

them realize that what they’re doing is actually beneficial for them. This makes up the sustainability part of our pro-

ject. In my community project, I am giving the local people a big part. They will be the same people who’d monitor

the coastline for any turtle activity.

Another great thing I have learned is about environmental justice from Dr. Kendall Thu which establishes

that people, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and social status, have equal rights to a clean and habitable envi-

ronment.

I believe this can be applied to my community project in the sense that during the clean up drive, we are promoting

environmental justice not only to the rich and poor people there but to the turtles as well because no matter how big

or small they are, they’re our responsibility and they also deserve a clean and hazard- free environment.

Section 3: Community Project Action Plan

Turtle Invasion on the move

Upon arriving in our homeland, the Philippines, I’m going to set meetings with the local people, the princi-

pal and directress of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, as well as the administrative officers of the Depart-

ment of Agriculture. Hopefully, they’ll support my community project to protect the sea turtles in Barangay Dahi-

can, City of Mati, Davao Oriental.

I’m going to survey my hometown for the supplies needed for the turtle guards and hopefully set up a con-

tract with a carpenter to make these turtle guards and find a tarpaulin- making shop. With the chosen school, I’m

going to create a poster/ slogan making competition to raise awareness for the turtles in that coastline. My target

partners are the high school students through their class advisers. The winners will then be made into tarpaulins and

posted during the final project implementation.

During the final project implementation, about 3 weeks after the slogan making competition, we’re going to

have a clean-up drive at the place as well as a short program/ seminar for intensification of the awareness phase for

sea turtles.

The turtle guards would be given on the same date as well. I am hoping to include some games inclined to

turtle protection and environmental awareness as well during the final date of implementation.

I am in high hopes that I’ll be able to implement Turtle Invasion and do these things when I come back af-

ter the exchange phase of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program.

Waiting on the World to Change

Sanjeev Parmanand

(Section one)

There are a lot of challenges that stop Mindanao from reaching its full potential. These issues

manifest in political, cultural, and religious instability within the area. However, one of the biggest, if not

biggest challenges Mindanao faces is the environment. The environment is crucial because it is where in-

dividuals exercise all their activities. All human interaction can only take place in an environment that is

conducive of life. This is the general philosophy as to why most environmentalists say the environment is

always worth preserving. In the case of Mindanao, citizens have endured water and power shortages, air

pollution, and destruction of environmental sites. Now the people who are most likely to commit these

problems are poor communities. People living in these communities usually cannot be blamed for im-

proper waste disposal and more air pollution because they are unaware. Most adults do not know how

their actions can lead to long term harm onto the environment. More importantly, many of them have suf-

fered the consequences of using unsafe utilities such as burning firewood and kerosene lights.

(Section two)

I learned about a number of concepts that will help me approach the issues in Mindanao. The first

thing I gained some insight on is the importance of politics with regard to preserving the environment. A

huge reason developing nations barely prioritize the environment is because their politics will not allow

prioritize it. This logic is very persistent in countries like China, Maldives, and the Philippines. The se-

cond thing I learned was the concept of environmental justice. We live in a world that uses the philosophy

of realpolitik. Countries with vast economic and political power will dominate and consume all the re-

sources that are owned by the entire public. Now this trickles down to the people on the ground. And most

of the time, the people that are affected are minorities because they are less established in society. In the

context of Mindanao, there are indigenous people who have to leave their lands because of the projects of

corporations. More specifically, a reason the peace process with the MILF took so long was because of

the Philippine Administration’s inconsistent stance. If you noticed, the last 3 administrations all had very

different approaches to resolve the conflict. One thing the program has taught me is to always prioritize

important values like identity and unity as opposed to things like revenue and economic growth. The se-

cond thing I learned was the ability to communicate to different crowds. I also got additional insight as to

how I can understand people who think differently.

(Section three)

My community project tries to approaches the issues in Mindanao from two both a development

and environmental perspective. Generally, poor communities without electricity spend almost one-fourth

of their income on generating electricity from kerosene lights or firewood. Now this is harmful to their

respective families and the environment. However, an organization by the name of One Million Lights

has slowly started to correct this issue. I am teaming up with this environmental/social organization by

volunteering to help them conduct an operation in Surigao. As of the moment, my involvement will take

place through the planning/organizing of the educational component that will take place by giving the

people a brief seminar on the issue of the environmental problem. This organization produces cheap solar

powered lights that are usually around the price of $15 per light. Along with this, the organization works

with local government units in the area to mobilize individuals to distribute the lights to a number of

families. I will also volunteer to play a role in this part of the operation. Overall, this project helps com-

munities try and move towards some development by using utilities that are safer. Secondly, they save the

environment because the utilities they use are environmentally friendly and cheaper.

References used for statistics and examples: Retrieved on 1 May 2013 from

http://onemillionlights.org/

All in One

Deanjann B. Piloton

The Terrors

There are three major environmental problems in my chosen community, Davao City, Davao del

Sur., namely: improper disposal of garbage, domination of mosquitos, and extreme floods. The first prob-

lem in my community is improper disposal of garbage. In my chosen community, it is inevitable to see

garbage scattered around or if one may spot them inside the garbage bins, they will find that it all just

dump and mix inside a trash bin. According to my observation, the causes are weak implementation of

environmental policies, insufficient provision of trash bins, and lack of environmental orientation. These

things bring more possibility of having floods since the garbage hinders the pathway of the water of the

canals or drainage. Worst, it can cause different diseases due to improper segregation that makes it a place

suitable for viruses or bacteria to live in. The second problem is about mosquitos. Due to garbage, dirty

canals and uncovered stock waters at home, mosquitos find a cozy home to make survival. The most well-

known and common effect brought by this insect is disease, particularly dengue. Everyone knows how

disaster dengue in our health is. So as a youth leader, simple things I have known so far to avoid such

trouble is to cover stock waters at home, keep home dry most of the time, and clean the surroundings es-

pecially canals so that as early as it is, we will be able to kill their lay eggs and prevent a rampant grow of

their population. Finally, the last problem I have observed in my community is the frequent flooding after

every heavy rain. As what others know about its cause, my chosen community experiences this kind of

problem because of rampant illegal logging and throwing the garbage everywhere. There a lot of garbage

stuck in the canals and drainage, making the water overflows in times of rainy days. In addition, many

people experience this kind of trouble, not because of their location, but because there are apparently little

number of trees. Many permanently change their residence since there are no more trees to hold the water

in times of heavy rain.

Treasures Deep Within

Through the help of PYLP training program, I’ve got some knowledge, skills and values to deal

with the different environmental problems in my community which were indeed priceless. First of all, the

sessions offered a lot of learning and information that I never knew before. It was from this program that I

had the opportunity to watch the movie “Sun Come Up” and learn from the story that man cannot just

work for himself and look not for the others. This means that team work is an essential element to achieve

a common goal. Another thing that I learned from the program was the big importance of effective com-

munication for community organizing. In order to truly bring change, great ideas need to be shared. The

change should first start within us and then by collaborating with other people, the community will make

a big difference. Also, a significant thing I discovered from the program was the greatest problem ever of

all human races in resolving the environmental terrors in the world – apathy. Amidst of making creative

and elegant environmental projects, everyone must also be educated so that they too will be able to make

ways in helping our world become a better place. Second thing, I found the program not more on talking

beautiful words or statements, it’s more about actions. Because of the follow-up activities given after dis-

cussion, I became eager to think and solve problems that really occurred in real-life situation. I realized

that gradually, I was gaining the confidence to speak in front my insights and share to them what I think is

right. Because of enhancing my communication skills, this made me also establish good relationship with

other people. Another thing, I found myself better in assessing my environmental project to provide my

community a SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bounded) service. One more

precious skill that I’ve got is also about understanding the difference of people, even to my co-participant.

There were really a lot of characteristics that sometimes could make us not fit together, but this kind of

perspective must provide the idea that every people are unique. Finally, I discovered some helpful values

that shaped to who I am now. Through the panel discussion of officers of environmental organizations, I

learned that one can do well by searching something passionate and go with it. It will be very effective if

the project will catch the things that you enjoy doing and at the same time, cover the needs of the commu-

nity. It means that a leader will not just move according to what he or she thinks can help the community

but also act in response to what the community members truly need. To have and be the change, one must

live by example.

Keeping the Dream Alive

To my community in Mindanao, it’s suffering from improper waste disposal, domination of mos-

quitoes and casual flooding. The garbage are almost everywhere, dumped in the canals and drainage due

to the lack of garbage bins and of course, environmental orientation. After I have asked some of the com-

munity members and the “Kagawad” (political leader of that community) about their environmental needs,

they agreed to be my partners in my project. So now, my project is all about waste management through

junk-drive, achieved by providing the community more trash bins) and cleaning materials out of the profit

gained from selling the collected junks scattering around. In this way, the project will be continually

funded and will educate the people with this background to live practically. The project is not only for the

cleanliness of the environment. Rather, it’s all about forming the discipline within the people, bringing

positive changes as they enter a new generation over again.

Environmental Problems and Advocacy

Charmaine Puig

In my community, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, there were two major environmental problems that cannot

be separated which is garbage and sanitation. People don’t care about throwing garbage, so garbage piled

up everywhere both in land and water. It seems that most residents of Bongao were unaware of the effect

of unclean environment to the extent that there were common sicknesses observed due to unhealthy envi-

ronment. This problem can be solved only if everyone is responsible in disposing their garbage properly

and maintaining cleanliness in their individual household. As a teacher my tasks is to educate the commu-

nity about proper waste disposal by influencing young minds to be a responsible citizens.

My two weeks experienced in the U.S taught me a lot about the U.S based on my exposure in

tours, association with Americans, and learning from great lecturers and speakers. I noticed that the core

value in America was individuality though they have diverse culture in different places. Philippines and

America had a common environmental issue, sometimes it's more alarming in the U.S but citizens had a

high level of awareness compared to the Philippines. Moreover, in terms of community organizing, U.S

and Filipinos community leaders started with community of which was important since every community

was different. I found out also that the U.S had strong policies in protecting and monitoring their rivers

and lakes. Every man-made activity near the lakes had a significant purpose in the environment.

Throughout the places we visited I didn’t notice garbage thrown anywhere. Every corner was provided

with a garbage bin for segregation. The visit to the Green Technology Center of Chicago and Recycling

Plant in NIU gave me insights on how to manage and recycle waste materials. On the other hand, social

media, hip hop, and public speaking could be an effective tool to bring about change in our community.

Now, with all the skills and knowledge that I gained in this training, it’s time for me to use them to

act and contribute for the good of my community. As a Science and English Coordinator in our District, I

will use my role to influence my students, co-teachers, friends, and loved-ones by sharing my important

learning, taking the lead in environmental activism, and above all by being a model on 3Rs for I believe

that actions speaks louder than words.

I was most concerned with the major environmental problem in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on proper

waste disposal management. There were no garbage bins and no specific place for waste so any corner of

the street can be dumping sites for all kinds of garbage. The town proper should be provided with a spe-

cific area where they can throw the garbage properly. Outside the Department of Education compound,

where the common corner of some schools in Bongao was one of these dumping site in the main town.

School Children, nearby residents and passer-by on this main street were mainly affected when garbage

piled up. Though a garbage truck of the municipality collected this garbage daily, it’s not enough since

after the collection, garbage was piling up the street again and it seems that no one was concerned on its

effect on health and environment. So, to create awareness on proper waste disposal I’m thinking of

providing a permanent garbage bin on this area. This would serve as a model bin for the community espe-

cially in segregation. I would be partnering the Bongao Central District Administrators, Department of

Education-Bongao Officials, Barangay Leaders, and Local School Board of Bongao. But prior to that, I

would be presenting this proposal to the office of the Mayor and Department of Education. I will use my

role as Science and English District Coordinator to organize clubs among the eight schools under our dis-

trict focusing on 3R’s and cleanliness, mobilizing them to be an active participant. Hopefully, after the

garbage bin was built, garbage from the five schools within the compound and the surrounding residents

can throw their garbage properly leading to a clean environment. For creating a lasting awareness about

managing waste, I will start orienting and influencing school children about the 3R’s and Teachers in Sci-

ence and Art will be my main partners to have a continuous impact on my advocacy towards a clean and

healthy environment in my community.

CH. 2: SPEECHES

Declaration

Youth of Tomorrow

PYLP 10

Vision Our vision is to see a Philippines in which all citizens regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity are able to

co-exist and effectively work together for peaceful and sustainable change both for the community and

the environment. It is essential for a diverse region like Mindanao to break down cultural and religious

barriers by actively resolving conflicts of all sorts peacefully.

Mission Mindanao is known for its culture, resources, and beauty. However, this ethnically diverse region has

constantly struggled to find a uniting force that leads the entire nation to sustainable development.

As an individual, it is important to put others before one's self. It is by looking at things from the bigger

picture and gaining values such as stewardship, resilience and nationalism that we are able to realize the

value each citizen has to offer to society.

As a citizen, it is crucial to keep the nation’s best interest at heart. All citizens have to work to create posi-

tive change that will teach communities to sustain vital resources and engage in positive discourse.

As a community, it is necessary to work together and develop a united society that will work for environ-

mental preservation along with intercultural dialogue. Preserving diversity requires tolerance and open-

ness from all the citizens, especially the youth.

Welcome Speech

Adult Leader Charmine Z. Puig

It is indeed my honor and privilege to be representing the PYLP Batch 2013 in this welcome

Luncheon. We considered our coming to the U.S as a great blessing from God since not everyone in the

Philippines were given a chance to be part of such a wonderful program like this. This is one of a kind

experience that we will never forget for the rest of our lives. We experienced a lot of challenges and sacri-

fices on the processing and preparation for our coming to NIU. Not to mention them all, I can say that it

was really tough and difficult. After we accomplished them all through the help of the sending program

team, AFS Philippines, we felt a sense of great fulfillment and relief. The moment we stepped on the

plane last Friday we know that we will surely be coming to the U.S. More than that, our presence right

now indicates that today, we did a great accomplishment in our lives which may lead to the bigger steps

that we will be taking in the future.

I was personally moved and touch by the fact that the US Department of State was extending a

helping hand to us the people of Mindanao with the hopes to restore and uplift Mindanao. You crossed

bridges and miles in order to reach us out. We appreciate so much the effort and this made us realized that

if other countries like America we’re very concerned in helping Mindanao why can’t we do so? Mindanao

is our home, our land. So we simply respond to that call and now we took pride on the fact that we were

part of that noble responsibility in helping our own community through this program.

I believe that our coming here is not by accident, we were brought in here by God for a purpose.

The inputs shared to us by our speakers for the past two days made us realized too that we have indeed a

great responsibility in making the world a wonderful place to live in and our role as Young Leaders and

Adults were very significant. What now? What is really our purpose in coming here to the U.S? Is it only

to see and appreciate their beautiful places? Is it to experience the cold temperature or to actually see and

hold a snow? Is it about observing and understanding the diversity of American culture? Is it about up-

loading pictures in facebook to brag about what we have experienced here? Perhaps those were some of

our immediate purpose but more than anything else PYLP Batch 10 believes that we’re here because we

wanted to be an agent of change in our own community. The environment issues that we started to discuss

for the past two days in our sessions were actually common in our country also. So we were encouraged

to know that we were not alone in experiencing all of these and we’re eager enough to learn more about

how to address these environmental problems when we went back in our very own community.

Right now we wanted to enjoy every moment that we will spent here in the U.S, taking every

chances to know more about the country and its culture because this is one in a million opportunity, we do

not know if we would be given another chance to be in this beautiful country again. We look forward to

have a wonderful and fruitful stay in the U.S.

From the bottom of our heart, we would like to say a million thanks to the US Department of State

who specifically funded this prestigious program, we would be forever grateful to you. NIU and its Pro-

gram Staff and volunteers, thank you for making our stay in the US very comfortable and memorable for

the past few days. We’re very lucky to be in this University. I’m not saying goodbye anyway because we

still have longer days to spend with you.

On behalf of the PYLP Batch 10 we would like to express our deepest and sincerest thanks to all

of you. May the good Lord continue to bless America. Mabuhay Philippines!

Thank you.

Developing Youth as Agents of Change and Ecological Activism”

Welcome Speech Delivered by Student Leader Ayana Jamnia G. Maranda

Dr. Susan Rusell-Project Director, Dr. Lina Davide Ong-Administrative Director, Ms. Leslie Shive-

Program Coordinator, Dr. Rey Ty-Training Coordinator, Distinguished guests, and to all the staff of the

Philippine Youth Leadership Program, as well as from the Northern Illinois University, my fellow PYLP

participants, a pleasant morning.

When I learned that I got accepted to the program and will be spending a month in NIU, I remember get-

ting very excited but anxious at the same time. I thought of how would it feel to ride a plane for 18 hours?

What would it be like to have a foster family? Will I survive not eating rice for a month? Will I survive

the cold weather? How do I convert Fahrenheit to Celsius again? I later learned that these were exactly

the same anxieties my batch mates felt as well. After all, we were about to leave behind the safety and se-

curity of our parents for this wonderful learning adventure. I now know what Bilbo must have felt when

he went on with the dwarves and Gandalf.

In line with this year’s theme, I’d like to share with you some points about our country. In the Philippines,

most particularly in our island of Mindanao, we are blessed with natural resources. A large part of our

power supply comes from hydropower and other renewable resources. Unlike our capital, Manila, you can

buy huge amounts of fruits and vegetables at less than P20 which is about 50 cents. Since agriculture is

one of our topmost revenue-gaining sector, we pride ourselves for being called the food basin of the Phil-

ippines. Unfortunately, this blessing is doubled with the lack of political clout and individual will to im-

pact change and conserve what we are given. In our small city, a lot do not know that the Lake Lanao Wa-

tershed Reservation is the source for our hydropower plant. It is saddening to observe that people living

nearby use it for their bathing, clothes-washing, cooking and even toilet functions but continuously dump

garbage. Illegal logging remains rampant as we struggle with the weak check and balance mechanisms on

local authorities and private entities. Our country is beautiful, fun, and its people, resilient. However this

is why, among others, despite being the most resource-blessed island in the Philippines, the poorest prov-

inces can also be found in Mindanao.

This is one of the many narratives you may have heard of about our Country. It is also in this line that we

are especially privileged to learn from you on how do we embody ourselves as agents of change. We are

all very eager to hear best practices and strategies from effecting social change to perhaps even President

Obama’s programs that foster youth and public understanding of the environment.

We are more than happy to be with you here today. Allow us to thank you for this opportunity to grow

and learn through you. We hope we may be able to return the knowledge you’ll impart by sharing with

you our culture, values, and insights and that someday we hope to see you in the Philippines as well.

In behalf of my fellow co-participants, thank you once again and Mabuhay!

Farewell Speech

Adult Leader Marti Gregorio

“All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of the empire

depends on the education of the youth”, in the immortal words of Aristotle some two thousands year ago,

yet we still find relevance up to the present. Given the significant role that the youth plays in nation build-

ing, it is of no coincidence how significantly the US government supports in programs like the Philippine

Youth Leadership Program, which is now its 10th

year.

28 young individuals, uniquely different from one another, leaders in their own respective realms coupled

with talents and skills beyond compare, where rightfully selected to embark in a life-changing experience

across the globe to learn and appreciate different insights and perspectives regarding Environmental

Leadership and how it can be applied locally in the Philippines.

It is said that when leaders are housed together in one place, it will be disaster in the making, thanks to

recipe called disagreement, however I am convinced that diversity of leadership can contribute to reach-

ing common ground and success. As a community of diversity, with their own talents, skills, knowledge

and insights to share, the possibilities for cooperation, understanding, tolerance, and acceptance towards a

better Philippines are truly within reach.

Our journey has provided us with significant opportunities to learn the diversity, unity, cooperation, love

for country, and the rich cultural heritage that make United States of America a leading global power and

bastion of democracy.

I would like to highlight significant insights which the youth participants find relevance, and I am quite

sure that if I am to mention all, we wouldn’t have time for the dance presentations that we prepared for all

of you, so I may stick with the highlights instead.

Pragmatism – hale storm, here and now situation.

After the discussion with Dr. Russell regarding Environmental Situation of the Philippines and Sustaina-

ble Development, comes the hale and thunderstorm that left us all bewildered, surprise, and excited. It

came to a point whether to stay indoor or walk outside under the hale to reach our destination. Most of us

decided to traverse under the hale, and as we were walking along soaked and all wet, some decided to find

shelter while others continue along.

The point being, we arrived to a decision based on the circumstances. Efforts to address the challenges of

climate change and global warming, environmental pollution among others require collective actions from

all stakeholders, it will mean mastering the art and science of compromise, especially with contentious

environmental issues that polarized the global and local perspective.

American Culture, Diversity, Similarities; Homestay Program

12-day program for the Homestay allowed us to fully appreciate the microcosm and fiber that constitute

American society. I take pride and honor for having been given the opportunity to experience first hand.

Hollywood is not the America portrayed in media, that’s for sure.

We shared moments discussing American & Philippine politics, Justice System, Traditions, and Beliefs

over breakfast and dinner. Personally, I only get to understand the electoral college system, Jury-justice

system over dinner than the readings i have done, thanks to my host family, Mark Cordes and Victoria

Young.

Homestay program provided relevant insights about the richness of cultural heritage of America, person-

ally appreciated the contributions of Pablo Picasso and the likes, the outstanding architectural designs of

skyscrapers.

Discussed the news editorial regarding the PC Extinction thanks to Smart phones, and that i realized the

existence of dumb phone who technically is not Smart. and this cellphone, which i bought two years ago

qualifies as dumb phone though it comes handy with flashlight. i don’t mind with the category.

Let me grab this opportunity to express my sincerest gratitude for the warm hospitality. May i request

your indulgence to please stand Mr Mark Cordes and Victoria Young:, unfortunately Mia-my best buddy-

golden retriever could not make it tonight, You indeed made my stay in the united states truly memorable,

fun, and insightful. May i request also the indulgence of all host families to please stand up, let give them

warm applause for making us feel welcome and part of their own family. Thank you very much.

As we prepare to go back to our native land, the pearl of the orient, our beloved Philippines, we bring the

experience and insights that prepared us to become better individual, and an improved global citizen.

With head up and feet on the ground, we are ready to face the challenges of environmental leadership and

to willingly demonstrate activism for sustainable development, conservation and protection.

Farewell Reception Speech

Student Leader Jevern L. Ellaga

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Proud to be the only Indigenous PYLP student.

After a very long journey, we were finally here at the United States without knowing anybody except our-

selves, we were wondering what will happen to us soon. Before the day of picking up by the host families,

everybody is curious. Some are afraid that they might have a horror house, naughty brothers and sisters

and unkind host families who will possibly scold them. Everybody is curious and afraid that what if we

will not be welcomed in your homes. We are afraid that we may possibly make mistakes and soon be dis-

charge and sent back in the Philippines.

When our host families pick us up, everything seems to change. They welcome us as best as they can.

They even cook rice for us and entertain us as much as possible. We were just shocked because Ameri-

cans are very different from our own perceptions based on Hollywood movies. We`ve learned that they

are also hospitable, caring, kind and even they are busy, they still have time for their family. It is my big

dream to establish such an ideal family like yours.

Thank you for embracing us as well as our culture. You`ve taught us how to mingle with other people and

embrace them. Thank you for caring us like your sons and daughters, for extending your extra time, love,

care and effort just to make us feel loved. Thank you for letting us feel the 12 days American Family ex-

perience. I first thought that it is hard to adjust in a new home but I discover that it is even harder to say

goodbye.

To everybody who makes this all happen for us, thank you. I`ve learned how to take care our environ-

ment, the issues and problems of the Philippines, the solutions and action plans as well as how to be a

good leader. I also learn how to mingle with different personalities.

To my beloved DeKalb and Rochelle friends as well as to my host family, thank you for accepting me in

who I am; thank you for being a wonderful friend and family for me. I will surely miss you. One question

that pop`s out in my mind from one of our friend is that,” Why then you make friends and then you go? It

also sad for us to go, but then we must do it. It is not still the end our friendship I know. I am hoping that

this will last forever and ever. It is not then the end of everything but only the beginning of grasping for

change.

In behalf of PYLP batch 10, to the US Department of State, ITO, NIU, AFS Philippines, volunteers, host

families and friends, ladies and gentlemen thank you and more power!

Speech at the Department of State

Student Leader Sanjeev Parmanand

There are defining moments in one's life that dramatically change one's perspective and broaden

horizons. This is one such moment for me. I learned more than I could have ever hoped to learn from this

program in the last three weeks. During our stay in Chicago, we visited farms, and saw how local farmers

strived to transition to more environmentally friendly methods. We discussed the environmental condition

of the United States and the Philippines. Most importantly, we learned about possible resolutions to envi-

ronmental problems that many countries like the Philippines and United States face. However, there was

one experience in particular that I will never forget. We took a visit to the Okrest home for the elderly in

Dekalb Chicago. I was lucky enough to share a meal with one of the wisest women I have met. She was

told she did not have much longer than six months to live. Unfortunately, she no longer had any family to

help through this difficult time, but she still managed to live past six months. She told me stories about

how she traveled to over 100 countries. She recalled her experiences when she lived in Turkey and was

told cover up because she was a woman. Her positive outlook on life never changed amidst living in pov-

erty and being subjected to discrimination. Do not stop travelling and learning about the world, she said.

Traveling allowed her to see how large the world was. It allowed her to see significant events that people

from her time could only hope to imagine. My time in the United States has taught me to become more

conscious of how big the world is and the connections among countries, and their respective cultures. We

need to stop looking at differences in culture, race, and religion as barriers that stop us from becoming a

united force that works for peaceful development. Our strength and beauty as a nation lies in our multi-

plicity. I may have been fortunate enough to be part of this program, but there are more kids out there who

were equally deserving of this opportunity. I hope all of us can work together to make these opportunities

more accessible to individuals that need it. On behalf of the entire PYLP batch 10, I would like to extend

my gratitude to the U.S. State Department and everyone that made this possible.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Farewell Speech

Nafieza Mohammad

I shall not be singular in saying that the opportunity afforded to us in this program, young men and wom-

en from the Philippines, cliché it may seem, is a dream come true.

In the Philippines, we have been taught that America is our friend. Our record of history paints the image

that the United States is a metaphorical brother of our country. It is the home of wondrous principles, ha-

ven of democracy, and vanguard peace and equality. Thus, when chosen from the many others to be part

of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program, I was elated not only because a chance to tour and visit

places is given, but greatly because a rare opportunity of further developing my sense of leadership has

come.

When I first went through the itinerary outlining the different activities of the program, my heart leaped in

great joy as I realized the wonderful learning experiences in stored for all of us. But it wasn’t just wonder-

ful! It’s beyond wonderful! The experiences were phenomenal! Unbelievable! And Extraordinary!

Phenomenal are the series of workshops and conferences given by Dr. Sue Russell, Dr. Rey Ty, Dr. Ken-

dall Thu, Dr. Garth Katner, Dr. Mitch Irwin, D' Nick TheMicrophoneMisfit, Mr. Jethnam, Dr. Holly

Jones, Dr. Melissa Lenczewski, Mr. Tom Arnold, Dr. Kristen Borre, Ms. Holly Nicholson and Mr. Chris

Birks. These enabled us to see and understand the pressing environmental issues confronting the commu-

nities of our country and that of the world with the hope of providing solutions that will secure the welfare

of today’s generation and that of the generations to come.

Unbelievable are the extremes I never thought I could carry out! From the extreme cold of embracing the

falling snow without any jacket on coz I was so excited to see the snowflakes… to the extreme heights at

the Willis Tower and Stronghold Castle High Ropes Course! Extreme joy of seeing for the first time the

biggest relic of a dinosaur! Truly unbelievable for a simple Zamboanguena like me to see and experience.

And extraordinary are the people I have fortunately met and befriended. “Blessings truly come in many

ways, the nicest come as friends”. These are our teachers, the staff in this program(Dr. Sue, Kuya Rey,

Tita Lyn, Tita Leslie, Tita Pam, Tita Saima, Tita Hala, Tita Srie, Kuya Anthony, Kuya Bryan, ate Iva, Ate

"slash" mama Yeng, ate Emily AND Kuya Jon Hohnstadt), to the Riley’s my brad Alex and Matthew;

Mama Kay, Sir Mark and Nana, to my big bro Michael Graham, to my partners Emily from Dekalb HS

and Logan Quest from Rochelle Township HS, to all the host families and to top it all is my foster family,

my Mom andDad, Nancy and Ron Proesel. I am so fortunate that you have chosen me and Noryn! You

have made my stay the most extraordinary! You all deserve more than just a thank you. Know that you

are in my heart now and forever. May God bless us with long lasting friendship.

I now know that at the conclusion of this program we the PYLP 10 go home with filled hearts as we

found to understand more the beauty and magnificence of the different cultures we have. We take home

with us the spirit of volunteerism and service which animates the great halls of this country. We go home

as changed individuals with the hope that what we gain here be likened to seedlings to be planted in the

soils of our land. And that the same seedling be cared well until they fully grow and bear fruit of which

my countrymen will have a taste of.

I hope I leave a piece of the Philippines here in America as we bring a piece of America to our home -the

Philippines.

I end my farewell speech with a song dedicated to all of you from all of us PYLP10, the Lucky ones… Note:

(Sing Journey…)

CH. 3: REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Last

Name

First

Name Title Description

How

Many

Volun-

teers

Outputs Place Date Ex-

penses

Abedin

Sittie

Ayra

Yusop

h

Proper

Waste Dis-

posal Pro-

gram for

Children

Clean-up

Drive 52

2 large

garbage

cans

Brgy. Bia-

ba Damag,

Marawi

City, La-

nao del Sur

2013

-07-

06 ₱8000+

Abiera Dun

Oliver

Sustainable

Coastal

Zone Man-

agement

through

Mangrove

Rehabilita-

tion

Mangrove

Tree Planting

and Parenting

101

250 man-

grove

seedlings

Minanga

Forest

Park, Brgy.

Buayan,

General

Santos

City, Phil-

ippines

2013

-06-

22 ₱3,500

Acot Karla

Jean

Save Life,

Plant and

Grow a

Tree

Tree planting 25 25 narra

seedlings

Barangay

Balulang,

Cagayan

de Oro city

2013

-06-

23 ₱3,000

Alcala

Sheena

Mae

Suico

The Green

Bin Pro-

ject: Proper

Waste

Manage-

ment

A socio-

environmen-

tal communi-

ty project

advocating

the discipline

of proper

waste man-

agement and

segregation

among the

indigenous

community.

12

6 Trash

Bins (2

sets of Bi-

odegrada-

ble, Non-

Biode-

gradable

and Recy-

clable

trash bins)

Poblacion

Mani-

cahan,

Zamboan-

ga City

2013

-07-

13 ₱4689

Ali

Alex-

ander

Jr.

Islam

Cares for

Environ-

ment

(I.C.E)

Conduct edu-

cational sem-

inars on envi-

ronment is-

sues and em-

ploy religious

approach us-

ing Islamic

injunction on

caring for the

environment

and tree-

planting.

25

youth

volun-

teers

from

the

com-

munity

50 Ma-

hogany

seedlings

Barangay

Nangka,

Balo-I,

Lanao del

Norte

2013

-07-

06

₱6,300

Amban Jun

Mark

Tree-

Planting

Activity for

Tree-Planting 23

500 narra-

seedlings

were

Tancing,

Baguio

Dist., Da-

2013

-07-

21 ₱7, 000

Malagos

Watershed-

Protection

planted vao City

Barandi

no

Faye

Agang

Whoever

You are,

You can

make

Change

Tree Planting 100

500 man-

grove

seedlings

Fuego-

Fuego Ta-

biawan,

Isabela

City, Basi-

lan

2013

-06-

29

₱6,185.

00

Cabug-

os

Jeson

Paul

Green Up-

rising Pro-

ject

Tree Grow-

ing and Re-

placing of

Mortalities

25

50 maliba-

go and 50

mahog-

anny seed-

lings

Km. 8 Ba-

ranggay

Matina

Pangi, Da-

vao City

2013

-07-

07 ₱4,000

Canen-

cia

Maphil

e

Never

Again

Sendong

Tree Planting 40

120 Aca-

cia Seed-

lings

Sitio Pun-

tod, Balu-

lang, Ca-

gayan de

Oro City

2013

-07-

20 ₱4,000

Diang Sarah

Jane

Riverside

Rescue

A bamboo

tree-growing

activity (with

lecture on

Environmen-

tal Justice for

the volun-

teers)

22 (in-

cluding

stu-

dents,

profes-

sionals,

and

local

govern

ern-

ment

volun-

teers)

150 bam-

boo trees

Barangay

Brar, Ta-

layan,

Maguinda-

nao

2013

-08-

04 ₱2,000

Divino May

Fiel

3Rs for a

Clean and

Green

Mandug

proper waste

disposal and

segregation

40 72 trash

bins

sitio pangi,

mandug,

davao city

2013

-07-

21 ₱4, 900

Ellaga Jevern Tree Grow-

ing Project

Growth As-

sistance for at

least 100

young trees

in the

Malagante

Riverbank

( establishing

tree guard,

fertilizers

etc.)

103 100 tree

guards

Malagante

Riverbank,

Landan,

Polomolok,

South Co-

tabato

2013

-07-

06 ₱4,122

Esguerra

Noryn

Jane

Mara-

Mangrove

Planting: A

Way to

An actual

activity that

everyone ac-

102 1,250

propagules

Mampang-

Talon-

Talon

2013

-08-

10 ₱4000

villa Conserve

and Protect

Our Envi-

ronment

tively partic-

ipated for the

betterment of

our environ-

ment. No. of

Partici-

pants:102

participants

(including

club advisers,

officers of

different or-

ganizations,

police offic-

ers and

CAFGUs

Mangrove

Area

Frial

Saman-

tha

Marie

REHABIL-

ITATION

OF

SINAWAL

RIVER

BANK

THROUG

H BAM-

BOO

PLANT-

ING

Tree Planting 27

80 BAM-

BOO

PLANTS

SINAWAL

RIVER

BANK,

BARAN-

GAY

LABAN-

GAL,

GEN-

ERAL

SANTOS

CITY

2013

-06-

15 ₱4,500

Fernan-

dez

Rizza

An-

gelie

Think

Green Pro-

ject

Tree Planting

Activity 51

200 Ma-

hogany

seedlings

Abong -

Abong

Campsite,

Zamboan-

ga City

2013

-08-

17 ₱5,115

Gerali

Mary

Kris-

tine

RE-Create Art workshop

for children 76

150 stu-

dents (4

per child)

600 out-

puts

Xavier

Ecoville

village,

Cagayan

de Oro

City

2013

-07-

06 ₱7000

Janiola Duaine

Save the

spring wa-

ter

riverside

clean up

drive and

water con-

servation ori-

entation

25

used 8

sacks & 5

broom

sticks to

clean up

one area

around the

spring

Barangay

Apopong,

General

Santos City

2013

-07-

12 ₱5,000

Jul

Ab-

dulha-

kim

Hadju-

la

"Veggie is

the Way"

Vegetable

Compost

Garden

20 4 different

crops

West Kun-

tad, Siasi,

Sulu

2013

-07-

26 ₱4,000

Malong Aisah Volunteers

as the Em-

Mangrove

Rehabilita-40

100 Man-

grove

Purok

Minanga,

2013/

06/30 P4,700

blem in

Saving our

Mangrove

Ecosystem

tion Seedlings

Planted

Buayan,

General

Santos

City, South

Cotabato,

Mindanao,

Philippines

Maranda Ayana

Jamnia

Sustaina-

bility De-

velopment:

Vermicom-

micom-

posting and

Environ-

mental

Program

for Cli-

mate-

Caused

Disas-

ter‘ Refu-

gees and

Residents

of Brgy.

Tibanga,

Iligan City

Vermicom-

posting 25

1 ver-

mibed (in-

cluding

vermicast,

sawdust,

horse ma-

nure, soil,

chicken

manure,

kitchen

wastes)

Brgy. Ti-

banga Hall,

Iligan City

2013

-08-

10

P3,000

Mo-

hammad

Nafieza

"Hap-

py"

Sab-

dula

E-shots on

Plastic Bot-

tles!

Strengthen-

ing Environ-

mental

Awareness

through Pho-

tojournalism

40

24 Photos

for the

Photo

Contest

Univer-

sidad de

Zamboan-

ga, Zam-

boanga

City

2013

-08-

15

₱13,

000

Mustari

Jalalod

in

Palao

Make the

Lake Alive

Lake side

cleaning w/

Feeding Pro-

gram

140 n/a

Tuca

Marinaut ,

Marawi

City, La-

nao del Sur

2013

-07-

07

> 4,500

pesos

(funded

by the

U.S

Depart-

part-

ment of

States)

& 5,500

pesos

( solici-

tation)

Nalzaro Rikk Genesis Animal Pro- unac- materials Amihan, 2013 ₱28,390

Nichol-

chol-

son

Mabini

Project:

Save the

Sea Turtles

tection count-

ed

for the

Turtle

Guards

(bundles

of rope, 1

big roll of

green

screen, 4

woven

trash bins,

40 pieces

of lumber,

5 kilos of

2 and 3-

inch nails)

Posters/

slogans

about tur-

tles.

Barangay

Dahican,

City of

Mati, Da-

vao Orien-

tal

-07-

23 to

2013

-08-

03 &

on-

going

mon-

itor-

ing

.85

Parman-

and

San-

jeev

Am-

arnani

Lights!

The project is

to provide

clean and

safe solar

lights lights

to communi-

ties who do

have access

to basic ne-

cessities.

15 20-30 So-

lar Lights

Lanuza,

Surigao

Del Sr

2013

-07-

26 ₱5,000

Piloton

Dean-

jann

Bolivar

Beauty-

Junk-

Drive

Waste Man-

agement Pro-

gram

42

6 wheeled

Garbage

Bins

Madang

Hillside 2-

B, Mati,

Davao Ori-

ental

2013

-08-

02

₱16,013

.95

On the Right Path Sittie Ayra Y. Abedin

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Female

Religion Islam

Ethnicity Maranao

City, Province, Region, Island Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, ARMM, Mindanao

Project Title Proper Waste Disposal Program for Children

Dates of Project Implementation July 06, 2013

July 06, 2013, this date marked as one of the memorable days that I’m very proud of. The weather is great,

it was the first Saturday of July, and it was the day of the implementation of my project. Proper Waste Disposal

Program for Children, this is the title of my project, with the theme “Educating Children; the Next Generation for a

Better Nation” and was implemented at Barangay Biaba Damag, Marawi City. I came up with teaching children

because aside from I am fond of kids, I really do love it when children listen and participate on what you say. I also

believe on the saying “Kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”, it says “Youth is the hope of the community”, this was

according to Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines. Though we might not observe that saying right

now, that’s actually what I’m trying to open for the next generation of the youth. I will bear in the minds of the

children about what they have learned and what they have done for their community at a very young age. And as

soon as they grow up on the stage of teenager, they will remember this, and it could motivate them.

The project consists of two activities, first is the Clean-up Drive. But before we proceeded here, we did

have an orientation or session about Proper Waste Disposal, and for them to learn more, we continued teaching

them through the Clean-up Drive. The kids were excited to clean-up, I am glad to have their energetic participation

in the project. It is really fun to see the kids participating with their respective facilitators, and because of this, we

have managed to finish cleaning the community for an hour and thirty minutes. The children were really tired right

after cleaning, so I managed to give snacks to the kids and my volunteers.

After the Clean-up drive, comes the Recycling Competition. For this to happen, we collected recyclable

materials in our school, and we used it for the competition. I gave them thirty minutes to make something through-

out the materials, but since they are kids, they couldn’t do it alone, so the volunteers managed on making and the

kids loved to help them. Some formed garbage can, toys, decorations and other presentable things, and they made

those things for a reason. Although not all of them won, the kids can still make up smiles on their faces, and they

took the recycled materials with them.

If there’s one reason why I had done this successfully, it is because all of those people who helped me from

its beginning until its end. The great leaders of Lanao del Sur, my school, my parents, who supported me for every-

thing. The PYLP alumni, my teachers, my classmates, friends, and juniors in our school who helped me in imple-

menting my project. Without them, I could not make good decisions for a good output. These people have guided

me on the right path and they are the biggest reason of the success of my project.

And finally, a dream come true again, a dream of helping Marawi City through activities that can be treas-

ured as life goes on. Aside from I had helped those people out there, I had also contributed on making pleasant na-

ture. It may have been pressured for me, because I was the one who organizes it, but I thank God for making me

feel His presence which motivates me that I can do it. And all I can say is “Helping on good things enjoys me a lot

now for it guides me on the right path.”

Persistent

Dun Oliver Abiera

Age Group Student

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Male

Religion Protestant ; Alliance

Ethnicity Tagalog

City, Province, Region, Island General Santos City, South Cotabato

Project Title Sustainable Coastal Zone through Mangrove Rehabilitation in

Minanga Forest Park

Dates of Project Implementation June 22, 2013

The tickling of ethereal nostalgia accord throughout my life as I continue my

journey after the enormous opportunity to participate in the said program

(PYLP). Anticipation of what will happen next is what’s going on my mind

now; the start of my endless doubting about my community project. But I star-

tle the situation and put an end point through all my dubiousness and said to

myself “I am strong enough! So why should I let fear take in?” And that’s the

start of my work towards success. It has never been easy for me to start the said

project but as I go along the detours, I initially used to it. My openness for sug-

gestions and help has result many volunteers. With the continuous and undying

support of my organizations and peers, I have now the courage to gradually

take the steps toward this project’s outcome. It was Saturday, 22nd

of July in the

year 2013, when I implemented the project. At approximately 8:30 a.m., the

100 expec-

pec- ted vol-

vol- unteers

have gath-

ered in our

school

campus.

With that, I decided to move along our way to

Minanga Forest Park. The time we ar- rived,

the General Santos City Environment and

Natural Resources Office (GSCENRO), have

already arrived earlier before us and as we set-

tle down, the speaker explained what to do and

what we shouldn’t do. I was struck by

amazement as I see 11,000 planted man- man-

groves for the past years and knowing that I

do a lot of mangrove planting in the said area

and some of the projects that I partici- pated

planted thousands of mangroves back then.

There are a lot of photo ops going on in our atmosphere that

moment as we planted 250 mangrove seedlings provided by the

GSCENRO. My volunteers were busy planting their own babies to

protect marine animals and to protect us from devastating storms.

They are from my

Organizations; Red

Cross Youth (RCY)

Msu Council and

GenSan Chapter,

Junior Ecologists

Movement (JEM),

Teen Support Group

(TSG), Supreme Student Government of MSU – CETD and AFS

GenSan Chapter. And dominated from my volunteers were my

schoolmates, batchmates, peers, classmates and advisers from

different school years. After two hours of planting and picture taking,

we decided to go back to school so that we can eat my prepared food.

It is marked in everyone’s face the self fulfillment in joining the said

project which aims to see coastal develepment in our community and

also to provide home for many marine animals. I am also fascinated by the success of my project that after all of my

hardships and misconceptions along the way, I have now seen the end of the tunnel. I feel appreciated with what

my family, friends, other volunteers and God shown as a

support in my project. Without them all, surely, my project

will not be as successful as it is. Through all my detours

along my journey towards success, it morphed me into

someone I didn’t expect me to be. Nevertheless, the whole

experience had been a source of my strength to continue

my chosen purpose and that is to serve our humanity.

Because I believe that our years of existence would be

worthless if we haven’t done anything for humanity.

Save life, Plant a Tree!

By: Karla Jean Acot

Age Group Student

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Female

Religion Roman Catholic

Ethnicity Ilonggo

City, Province, Region, Island Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Region X,Mindanao

Project Title Save life, Plant aTree!

Dates of Project Implementation June 23, 2013

Environmental. Connecting People. Fulfilling.

This could be the best words that would describe how my community service project went. June 23, 2013

was the day my project was set for the actual tree planting activity at Barangay Balulang , Cagayan de Oro city.

This place was struck with a flash flood caused by the tropical storm Sendong on December 16, 2011 which left

the barangay and the city with millions worth of damages, hundreds of casualties and thousands of affected families.

Hence, I’ve thought of a project that in one way or another would help the community people living there gradually

recover and bit by bit elude them from devastating flash flood.

My community service project was a tree planting and growing activity. The program started in the morning and

was finished half past 11 a.m. The tree planting activity went smoothly although I was not really able to escape

challenges such as setting the schedule as to when would this be implemented since the volunteers also have their

classes .Yet, one can see the spirit of volunteerism that shines in the youths and community people involved. The

joint effort and partnership to this purpose is to plant and steward trees ,to increase public awareness of the value,

benefits and needs of trees, to inspire volunteers and build a sense of community. What makes it more meaningful

is that this project has done so many things not just only in helping out mother earth but it also connects people.

Connects people in a sense that, it unites people with different beliefs and culture. They planted with one thing in

mind which is to grow more trees to be able to save lives and save our environment . They planted as one , with a

common goal . As remarked by one of the community people there, she is thankful for organizing and implement-

ing such activity because little by little it helps them evade from flash flood. Hence, it is also fulfilling to know

that the trees we’ve planted can store up to 5000 gallons of water. Now, we can say that we’ve helped in storing

gallons of water which contributed to the flash flood the barangay has experienced a year ago.

Thus, the project was made possible with the help of the volunteers, officials, DENR , supportive parents

and God and through the Philippine Youth Leadership Program as funded by the US Department of State in part-

nership with AFS Philippines and the project contractor Northern Illinois University.

DENR CENRO represented by the extension of-

ficer ,Mr. Alson D. Potutan on his demonstration on

proper planting of the seedlings

AFS Philippines-CDO Chapter President, Datu

Moden Talandig on his inspirational message

Volunteers in line going to the area Actual tree Planting

SK volunteer planting his seedling

Volunteers watering the newly planted seedlings

as advised by the representative of the DENR

CENRO

The Green Bin Project: Proper Waste Management

Sheena Mae S. Alcala

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013 Batch 10

Gender Female

Religion Roman Catholic

Ethnicity Bicolana

City, Province, Region, Island Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Region IX, Mindanao

Project Title The Green Bin Project: Proper Waste Management

Dates of Project Implementation July 13, 2013

On July 13, 2013, I spearheaded a socio-environmental community project advocating the discipline of

proper waste management and segregation among the indigenous community of Poblacion Manicahan, Zamboanga

City.

Before I left the country for the Philippine Youth Leadership Program, I conducted a community needs as-

sessment in Manicahan, a village 20 kilometers away from the center of the city, with the assistance of the director

of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Center for Community Extension Services (AdZU CCES). The organiza-

tion AdZU CCES extends its efforts in sustaining livelihood, health and literacy to the mixed indigenous communi-

ties in the city.

The east coast of the city, where Manicahan is situated, is a calamity prone area. Soil erosion and flooding

are the most recorded environmental problems that the community has been facing. The inconsiderate practices and

lack of knowledge and environmental facilities of the local community, particularly in disposing their solid waste,

trigger these problems. With this situation, the river that provides irrigation for the rice fields in Manicahan is there-

fore at risk.

My dedication to serve the indigenous community in a socio-environmental change led me to head a pro-

ject titled The Green Bin Project. It aims to equip the community with the knowledge and means on maintaining a

harmonious relationship with the natural environment. I aim to orient the community about solid waste manage-

ment and provide means for them to practice this through installing a system which will facilitate this practice. It is

my utmost hope that I could help engage communities far from the heart of the city in the effort to preserve nature

in a well-informed manner.

The project offered a workshop on the rudiments of waste management and segregation which was fol-

lowed by a clean-up drive. The activity was participated by a mixed group of lumad, Muslim and Christian adults.

During the workshop, the adults had an interactive discussion on the harms of improper waste disposal and the ben-

efits of recycling. In the hands-on activity, the participants were tasked to collect the scattered pieces of trash in the

vicinity and were guided in properly segregating the collected wastes. Two sets of labeled garbage bins were in-

stalled in the village.

The high security concerns in the city during the past weeks postponed the first scheduled date of my pro-

ject implementation. I am grateful that it was successfully implemented last July 13. The project was a success

with the help of the US Department of State, Northern Illinois University International Training Office, the Local

Government Unit headed by Kagawad Loreta Sta. Teresa, the AdZU CCES as a partner organization, guest speaker

from the AdZU Biology Department, youth volunteers from AdZU Communication Department and Philippine

Youth Leadership Program batch 9 and 10 alumni.

I further hope to light a spark of change through a strong message to those living in the urban areas.

“Together we can make the world green!”

Taken during the Community Needs As-sessment; dump garbage beside the irriga-

tion canal in Poblacion Manicahan Taken during the Community Needs Assess-

ment; scattered solid waste in Poblacion Man-icahan

A formal address welcoming the local partici-pants of the project

Guest speaker Kevin Jimera discussing the harms of improper waste disposal

Discussing on the proper segregation of solid wastes

Clean-up drive and hands-on segregation ac-tivity

Lets fight Global Warming with I.C.E!

Alexander H. Ali, Jr.

Age Group Youth

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Male

Religion Islam

Ethnicity Maranao

City, Province, Region, Island Barangay Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte, Region X

Project Title Islam Cares for Environment (I.C.E)

Dates of Project Implementation July 6, 2013

Welcome Address by Alexander Ali, Jr. Keynote speaker from NPC -WMD For-

ester Nash Macaumbang

Keynote speaker from MIWK

Aleem Saidale Yacob

Distributing the 50 mahogany seedlings

Tree-planting activity

Youth participants

Invocation by youth volunteer

On July 06, 2013, I implemented my community service project entitled Islam Cares for Environment with the sup-

port of the National Power Corporation-Watershed Management Department (NPC-WMD), the Department of En-

vironment and Natural Resources (DENR) ,Maktabul Iftah Wal Khutabah (MIWK), community volunteers, and

the Ali youth volunteers.

At exactly 7:00AM, we opened the program with an invocation by one of the volunteers, followed by my short

welcome speech. I started my speech by giving a brief introduction of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program,

what was it all about, its aims and objectives, my wonderful experience in the States, and what I learned from my

trip and how I came about my community project, ICE.

Our first keynote speaker is a Forester from the National Power Corporation-Watershed Management Depart-

ment, Nashrollah Macaumbang, He discussed the importance of environment and the role of his office in the pro-

tection and preservation of the environment. He inspired us by informing us the benefits of being able to plant trees

at an early age what the we could do to help in preserving and protecting the environment.

Our second speaker is a learned Islamic Scholar from the Maktabul Iftah Wal Khutabah, Aleem Saidale Yacob.

He discussed how Islam cares for the environment, the purpose of its creation and the responsibility in its protection

is a part of our faith as Muslims, with excerpts from the Qur`an and Hadith. One important point I learned from him

is that Prophet Muhammad SAW said: Cleanliness is a part of faith. Cleaning doesn`t only mean that you take a

bath or wear clean clothes, it also means that we must also clean our surroundings or environment.

After the seminar, we proceeded to the planting area near the lake for the next part of the program which was

tree-planting activity. There were a total of 25 youth participants. Each of us planted two seedlings with 5 meters

apart.

After having planted 50 mahogany seedlings, we took some snacks and we officially closed the program at

9:00AM.

Taking Small Steps While Aiming Big

Jun Mark E. Amban

Age Group Adult Participant

Batch PYLP10

Gender Male

Religion Alliance

Ethnicity Ubo-Manuvu

City,Province,Region,Island Davao City, Davao del Sur, Region XI, Mindanao

Project Title “Tree-Planting Activity for Malagos Watershed-Protection”

Dates of Implementation June 21, 2013

Davao City water is considered as the 2nd

Best Potable Drinking Water in the World as cited by the World

Health Organization. One of its main sources is the 244-hectare Mala-

gos Watershed which is located in Barangay Malagos, Baguio Dist.,

Davao City. However, due to hazardous wastes and toxic chemicals

from residential and agricultural activities around the area, the water-

shed is in danger of being polluted. This phenomenon will surely im-

peril the lives of more-than-a-million Dabawenyos who get their water

sources from Malagos Watershed.

Seen this way, I proposed a tree-planting activity in order to

help protect the Malagos Watershed which is our source of water – our

life. Based on research,

trees are the best filters of

pollutants. Thus, the more

trees are planted, the more

chances of keeping the water source safe.

True enough, last July 21, I, along with twenty-two other

scholars of Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue and Palawan

group of the Ateneo de Davao University planted a total of 500 nara

seedlings along the boundaries of Malagos Watershed in Tancing, Ba-

guio Dist., Davao City. We were accompanied by no less than Ms.

Perpy Tio, the Director of Mindanawon.

The half-day tree-planting activity started with a brief seminar

at the City Agriculturist Office in Malagos where Forester Moreno Jr. demonstrated the proper way of planting the

seedlings. We learned a lot from the seminar and appreciated the importance of tree-planting as one of the best

ways to help protect the watershed.

After the seminar, we moved to the tree-planting site where we

did the actual tree-planting activity. Although our hands were dirtied

and our skin were bitten off by different insects, we felt happy because

we did something great to insure that the next generation of

Dabawenyos will taste the same water quality we are enjoying today.

Although our activity was very simple, I believe that it would

create a greater impact in the lives of the people in our community. We

may have taken small steps, but we surely aimed for bigger things.

Basilan Junior Jaycees heading to Fuego-Fuego Is-

abela City

Christopher Rey Diaz, the Basilan JJC Adviser em-

ceeing

15

th SF Company and PNP SAF planting mangrove

on

high tide portion of the swamp

Whoever You Are, You Can Make Change Faye A. Barandino

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP-10

Gender Female

Religion Alliance Evangelical

Ethnicity Chavacano

City, Province, Region, Island Isabela City, Basilan. Region IX, Mindanao

Project Title Plant Trees, Make Change (Mangrove Planting Project)

Dates of Project Implementation June 29, 2013

Mangrove Planting which aims to replenish

mangrove trees in bare swamps of Basilan by the

help of Basilan Junior Jaycees and Basilan JCI Inc.

headed by Sigrid Y. Tang as the organizer; 15th

Special Forces (SF) Company led by Capt. Geof-

frey Fabros, Philippine National Police Special Ac-

tion Forces (PNP SAF) led by Wilfredo Palamos,

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) Basilan

headed by Mary Christine T. Manuel, Philippine

Cost Guard (PCG) headed by Wilson Banuela, In-

ter-faith Council of Leaders (IFCL) headed by Jan-

uary Zanoria, 104th Brigade headed by Cpt. Enciso

as the local partners and also by the help of US De-

partment of State as the funding resource results to a

success.

The venue in implementing the project is at

Fuego-Fuego Tabiawan, Isabela City, Basilan locat-

ed 6km away from the city proper. We rode a six by

truck of the Special Forces which only took us 15

minutes. The project started at 3:30pm with a short

program on which it introduces the different partners

and also recognizes PYLP who developed 28 youth

participants all over Mindanao as agents of change

and ecological activism.

With the help of the different organizations

and company, we were able to plant 500 mangrove

seedlings despite the light rain shower and muddy

ground walking bare footed from the forest to the

swamp.

Young volunteers planting on a low tide portion of

the swamp

Mangrove planting, which most of us had it

first time finds it fun although some are complaining

because its muddy. But realizing that this project is

for the benefit of our community in the sense that

(1) there will be enough refugee for fish and finger-

lings (2) there will be enough mangrove to hold the

soil and filter the salinity of the sea (3) there will be

an increase of fish and shell catch of the fisher folks

and many other benefits from it—participants and

volunteers were able to plant 5 propagus each.

The actual planting of the propagus was not

really hard but the situation wherein we need to walk barefooted made it challenging.

We finished planting at 5:00pm and immedi-

ately headed to the transportation getting ready to

depart with a happy feeling knowing that as young as

15, we were able to make a change.

Newly planted propagus (mangrove plant)

Green Uprising Project

Jeson Paul B. Cabug-os

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Male

Religion Roman Catholic

Ethnicity Dabawenyo

City, Province, Region, Island Davao, Davao del Sur, XI, Mindanao

Project Title Green Uprising Project

Dates of Project Implementation July 7, 2013

Back from the start of the Philippine Youth Leadership Program 10, I was thinking about the imple-

mentation of my project day by day. Being a naïve of this prominent scholarship program, nuggets of questions are

confronting my nerves specially implementing a socio-environmental community service project. Am I able to

make it? Will this be successful? How will I do it? These are some of the interrogative statements I always endure

in my mind.

The serious trainings, ideal workshops and interactive seminars indeed aided vitally in building me to-

wards the triumph of the carrying out of the community service project. In fact, those aforementioned questions

were answered and justified through the successful implementation of the community service environmental project

as I spearheaded it last July 7, 2013 at Brgy. Km. 8 Matina Pangi, Davao City.

The Green Uprising Project: Tree Growing and Parenting activity is one of the major successful projects

I have done in my life. I consider this very special with regards to socio-environmental responsiveness and socio-

environmental responsibility towards my partner community, Baranggay Km. 8 Matina Pangi, Davao City. A

community which is a far flung from my residence and a distant for the heart of the city. This community has been

exposed to tree planting activities due to the previous massive destruction of flash floods as the geographical setting

of the community is along the riversides. On 2011, some areas of Davao City was unexpected ly hit by flash flood

including this community and as a result, it bombarded the community itself and tragically 17 people lost their lives.

In addition, another unexpected minor flashflood hit same areas in Davao City last June 2013, including this com-

munity. In addition, the earlier planted seedlings were carried away by the flash flood brought by the heavy rains

and worst was a minor soil erosion happened that widens the passage of the river waters affecting the space, and the

crop field of the people living nearby. Hence, I submitted myself to participate in fulfilling its recovery through

grabbing the opportunity to implement my community service project, the Green Uprising Project.

The project was participated by the Supreme Student Government Officers and fourth year Rizal stu-

dents of the Doña Carmen Denia National High School (my high school Alma Mater), the Davao City Federation of

Supreme Student Government Incorporated Alumni; Youth for Environment in School’s Organization moderator

and officers of Davao City National High School; and some of the Gerry Roxas Leadership Awardees of Davao

City. Virtually, this has been made possible through the solid partnership and cooperation I had with Baranggay

councilor Carmelo Arana as well as the leadership Mr. Kristian Fernandez, a friend of mine whom is a resident of

the partner community. Most importantly, I extend my deepest gratitudefor the benevolence of the Davao City En-

vironment and Natural Resources Office directed by Atty. Joseph Dominique Felizarte for providing the 100 seed-

lings for free.

On the day of the implementation, division of tasks was established. I took over for the participant’s

transportation from the town to the actual site back and forth. Baranggay councilor Arana facilitated the orientation

and directed the participants on the instructions of planting the seedlings. Ms. Phaula Gaspar, DCFSSG Inc. Alumni

initiated the documentation of the duration of the activity. AAttendance was recorded, snacks were provided after-

wards and certificates respectively. Consequently, I gave my final words through enunciating my appreciation and

sincerity for their undying participation of the project; also I articulated the experience I had in the PYLP, the or-

ganizations behind it, the US State Department, Youth Programs Division: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Af-

fairs, Northern Illinois University, and the AFS IPP Philippines, and also encouraged them to participate with this

kind of great opportunity.

The next step is to ensure that these trees will grow at its best. It is a good thing that I pledged to visit

the seedlings weekly but it is better that the residents living nearby volunteered to take charge the sustainability of

the seedlings, thus it is nice to know that they feel the accountability of having those planted seedlings. Indeed, all

of us have one thing in mind, and that is the realization that there’s only one place that we can dwell on, there’s

only one life for every human being’s existence. Lastly, is the thought of environmental awareness, that it breeds

objective judgment leading to action.

Photos :

The actual site of tree planting activity during the conduct of Community Needs Assessment

(R) Participants planting the seedlings (Mahogany and Malibago)

These were the planted Malibago and Mahogany seedlings

Never Again Sendong

(Tree Planting Activity)

Maphile Mae L. Canencia

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Female

Religion Iglesia Ni Cristo

Ethnicity Kagay-anon

City, Province, Region, Island Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Region X

(Northern Mindanao), Mindanao

Project Title Never Again Sendong (tree planting activity)

Dates of Project Implementation July 20, 2013

Right from the start, I had been aware of the environmental issues in Barangay Balulang since the Typhoon

Sendong devastated the town. The first thing that came into my mind after I have heard that we were tasked to do a

volunteer community service is that community. I know in my heart that those deforested areas needs to be replen-

ished in order to prevent another disastrous catastrophe to occur again. Hence, after relaxing for a month, it’s time

to get myself working on the tree planting project.

The day on my implementation went really well. Everything just came into place. The scheduled date and

time was on July 20 at 6:00 AM in Sitio Puntod, Barangay Balulang. When I woke up, the volunteers from LBC

Express personally fetched me in my house and conveyed together with our car. After a 2 minute ride, we finally

arrived in the site. After a while, my volunteers started to arrive. Namely, Cagayan de Oro LBC Express Team,

Touch Foundation Incorporated, Sanguniang Kabataan Officials, some of the Barangay Balulang officials, students

from Gusa Regional Science High School and some independent volunteers. We started it early so we were able to

finish planting 120 seedlings as early as 7AM. Right after that, they were given light breakfast and some volunteers

that were good friends with my family was invited to our house for a good breakfast.

Mary L. Canencia, my Mom was my partner organizer in the said activity. She spearheaded the administra-

tive concerns of the project. Next in line is the LBC Express, Cagayan de Oro team, who provided me 30 volunteers.

They had been very supportive of Environmental Activities and as of this point, we are starting to work on another

tree planting activity that aims to plant 300 trees on the same area. The project was fully funded by the US State

Department and was supported by Department of Environment and Natural Resources by giving out 120 acacia

seedlings.

As a whole, the objectives of the project was fulfilled which was to plant trees on Barangay Balulang which

could at least somehow replenish the deforested areas of Balulang. In the making of the project, there were prob-

lems encountered such as some volunteer institutions that were not able to attend for some miscellaneous reasons,

somehow, it did not stop me from pursuing it. This project became the avenue of the community’s hope of a better

environment and somehow did ease the pain that the community had because of the catastrophic event.

Registration of Volunteers Distribution of light breakfast

Planting Proper

Riverside Rescue

Sarah Jane T. Diang

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Female

Religion Islam

Ethnicity Maguindanaon

City, Province, Region, Island Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, ARMM

Project Title RIVERSIDE RESCUE

Dates of Project Implementation August 4, 2013

RIVERSIDE RESCUE comprises a set of activities which include Bamboo tree-planting, pamphlet distri-

bution, advocacy-related works such as seminar and workshops. It aims to lessen the soil erosion in the riverside of

Barangay Brar, Talayan, Maguindanao by planting Bamboo trees, distributing pamphlets on how to take care of the

river, and conducting seminar and workshops. The highlight of this community project is a tree planting activity

which was made possible in partnership with Barangay Brar Local Government Unit, chaired by Hononrable Datu

Solayman Sultan, Local Residents, MSU-Maguindanao Social Work Department chaired by Ms. Princess Sheryn A.

Mamucao, MSU-Maguindanao Student Scholars, and Selected Volunteers.

Bamboos are said to be very good in erosion control, holding soil, preventing landslide, and for water con-

servation. (Journal of Forestry Research). With this primary objective, I have partnered with respective stakeholders

which include the local government unit, local residents, faculty members of the Social Work Department, Scholar

students of the University, and volunteers from the different walks of life and from different profession (including

the Mr. Lester Jake Dela Cerna, an Environmental Science expert and currently connected with Philippine Coconut

Authority, PYLP Alumni Ms. Almira Menson (Batch 5) and Mr. Asrap Abubakar (Batch 7), volunteer from the

Bureau of Fire Protection, high school students, and out-of-school youths. Many more interested volunteers were

not included in the main activities due to security reasons.

The tree planting aims to enhance consciousness among the residents and stakeholders. The local residents

and nearby community have been affected by water from the mountains. Follow up activities include two seminars

and workshops which will be facilitated by Social Work Department.

(L) Mr Dela Cerna discusses Environmental Justice (R) Gentlemen crossed first in the river

(L) 10 year old volunteer finishing his work (R) Trying to plant for my community

(L) Volunteers participants hold hands as we cross the river’s dam and head to another part of the river

(L) A devastating part of the river due to erosion. (R) Climbing off the river

The volunteers last pose before going someplace else to plant another set of bamboos. (The photos do not represent

the total number of volunteers. Some volunteers chose not to be photographed and not to be mentioned.)

3Rs for a Clean and Green Mandug

May Fiel Divino

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Female

Religion Roman-Catholic

Ethnicity

City, Province, Region, Island Davao City, Region XI, Mindanao

Project Title 3Rs for a Clean and Green Mandug

Dates of Project Implementation July 21- August 11, 2013

The community project that I implemented is the fruit of the 1 month training that I attend in Illinois. Since

it was about environmental activism, my community project is environment-related. The first phase of my project is

giving lecture to the people. I invited someone from CENRO to give a lecture about 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

On the second phase, I invited the people that were trained by the Rotary Club of Davao livelihood project. They

taught recycling, specifically lumpia from banana peelings. My last phase was the turning over ceremony. The

Reachers Club, a club in my school wherein I’m a member, helped me. We had a small program and games for the

children. We also had a feeding program for the kids, and I gave handouts of the lecture given by the CENRO.

July 21st, I gave an overview to the people about

my community project.

Mr. Orly Limpangog, from CENRO, gave a lecture to the people about proper waste segregation and recycling.

These women were trained by Sagrex through the livelihood project of Rotary Club of Davao.

The people in the community pay

attention to what is being taught.

Some of the people in the community tried wrapping the

banana peelings with a lumpia wrapper.

The banana peelings in a lumpia wrapper were being fried.

I gave an opening remarks during the

closing & turning over ceremony.

Feeding program during the closing ceremony with the help of Reachers

Club. A club in my school wherein I’m a member.

Adopt a Tree Movement

Jevern L. Ellaga

Age Group Student

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Male

Religion Christian

Ethnicity Blaan and T’boli

City, Province, Region, Island Polomolok, South Cotabato, Region XII, Philippines

Project Title Tree Growing Project

Dates of Project Implementation July 6, 2013

It’s a cold morning of July 06, 2013 when I woke up by 5 am to ready everything. This day was the implementation

date of my Tree Growing Project at Malagante Riverbank, Landan, Polomolok, Souh Cotabato. This includes pull-

ing out grasses around the trees, establishing tree guards and putting fertilizers (if needed). Plenty of grasses are

almost killing those little trees- seems everyone is battling for their own survival. This project aims to assure the

growth of at least 100 young trees in Malagante Riverbank and manifest the deep concern of the community in

terms of loving our nature.

This project was made possible by Landan National High School Family, Supreme Student Government Organiza-

tion, Sangguniang Kabataan, Sangguniang Barangay and PYLP 9 Alumna- Sir Joven Ryan G. Malida. Fully funded

by the US Department of State through our lead grantee Northern Illinois University in cooperation with AFS Inter-

cultural Programs Philippines and supported by the Department of Education.

Community Needs Assessment- April 2, 2013 Planning with SSG officers- May 22, 2013

Recruitment of volunteers- June 29, 2013 Last day for the Recruitment of volunteers

- July 5, 2013

Implementation Day- July 06, 2013 Implementation Day- July 06, 2013

Implementation Day- July 06, 2013 Implementation Day- July 06, 2013

Community Visit- July 27, 2013 Community Awareness Presentation- August 11, 2013

Mangrove Planting: A Way to Conserve and Protect our Environment

Noryn Jane M. Esguerra

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013 batch 10

Gender Female

Religion Roman Catholic

Ethnicity Zamboangena

City, Province, Region, Island Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur, Region IX

Project Title MANGROVE PLANTING A Way to Conserve and Protect our

Environment

Dates of Project Implementation August 10, 2013

Environment is the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences. Environment is our sur-

rounding. This is our environment. There were different kinds of issues when it comes to our environment. But the

solutions are with us. We just to use our initiatives and think what will happen to the other generations if we will

not move.

August 10, 2013 (Saturday) at one in the afternoon, I initiated and conducted a community project which is

mangrove planting at the coastal zone area of barangay Talon-Talon (the specific place is Talon-Talon-Mampang

Mangrove area). Which is funded by the US Department of State. One thousand two hundred fifty propagules were

planted on the said area. It was about 281.25 square meters area. There were one hundred two (102) participants

who joined in the said activity. Seventy (70) participants were students of Zamboanga City High School Main.

There are officers and teachers of different organizations of the school. Luckily we were not only escorted by the

thirty (30) city and tetuan police officers and trainees but they also participated in the said activity. The barangay

officials of barangay Talon-Talon were so accommodating they even provided us twelve (12) CAFGU to really as-

sure our safety. With the great help and support of our great mayor Ma. Isabelle “Beng” Climaco-Salazar who pro-

vided us the transportation, the group had reached the area with no difficulties or hassled. I believe that mangrove

planting is a way to conserve and protect our environment. The community project would not be made possible

without the support of the school principal, teachers particularly the values teachers and club advisers and the par-

ents who allowed their children to join the said activity. Everybody had a great time and they enjoy a lot. Because

it’s the first time of some participants to be part of mangrove planting. It had a big impact to the participants. So, it

became a big news.

1250 PROPAGULES PLANTING SITE

ACTUAL PLANTING ORIENTATION

ACTUAL PLANTING ACTUAL PLANTING

Think Green Project: A Project on Tree Planting

Rizza Angelie L. Fernandez

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013 Batch 10

Gender Female

Religion Roman Catholic

Ethnicity Zamboangueña

City, Province, Region, Island Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Region IX, Mindanao

Project Title Think Green Project: A Project on Tree Planting

Dates of Project Implementation August 17, 2013

It takes a lot of time and effort to come make a concrete move to help contribute to the betterment of our

environment. I have gone through a lot of things before I was finally granted with permission to implement the pro-

ject. I originally chose Barangay Patalon for my community to work on but then, as time went by, I had to recon-

sider another community to work on because of security reasons. I was frustrated at some point. So, I considered

Cabatangan, my second choice. It is also in need of trees because through time, the community is experiencing loss

of trees. It came to me that this is another good community for me to implement my community service project but

then again, it was red alert so, I had to assess another community needs. I was so worried back then. But right in

time, finally there was Abong-Abong.

Last sunny day of August 17, 2013 I have successfully implemented my community service project which

is entitled as Think Green Project in Abong-Abong with the help of the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources, City Environment and Natural Resources, Ateneo De Zamboanga University, Ateneo High School Stu-

dent Activity Center and volunteers from InterAct Club, Young Ateneans Science Society Environmentalists,

Council of Leaders and IV – St. Edmund Arrowsmith. This project is funded by the US Department of State in co-

ordination with AFS Philippines.

Abong-Abong is an elevated area, therefore, trees are important to prevent soil erosion during floods be-

cause they hold on the soil where they are grounded. The community is not abundant with trees and plants making

it a real deal for a need to restore the trees that used to be grown in the area. As responsible stewards, it is our duty

to implement measures to prevent or at least lessen the negative side effects of deforestation. One effective way is

tree planting. Plus, it lessens pollution. Carbon dioxide is one of the major pollutants of the environment. It is a by-

product of human waste and activities. Trees and plants absorb the carbon dioxide in the air and in return emit oxy-

gen to the environment.

The team, which is composed of the Director of Student Services, the volunteers and the guards, arrived at

the site at 9:30 in the morning. When we got there, I gave out some instructions before planting and there was a

smooth flow after that. The team was able to plant a total of 200 Mahogany seedlings. We ended the tree planting

with a sensitivity game and all the 45 volunteers came up with our pledges to the environment. One major realiza-

tion from the volunteers is that there is more to life in the city. According to them, it is important that they get ex-

posed in the realities of the environment making them realize that they should really do their best in saving the en-

vironment. The group even initiated to start a volunteers’ group named #ThinkGreenProject Batch 1. Therefore,

this is only the phase 1 of my project. As for me, I realized that even though it needs time, effort and dedication to

implement a project like this, it is really important that we do not lose hope. We need to do it, do it right, do it right

now. At the end of the day, the project’s aim to promote awareness of the need to take small steps to save the envi-

ronment is fulfilled. This day, I pledge to be a responsible steward of the environment because change starts with

the youth, change starts with oneself. To lessen the destruction of our environment, we must make a move.

Volunteers climbing to the site Walking towards the designated area.

Me: in the actual planting of seedlings Processing of the importance of the environment

Volunteers applauding the success

of the formation of #ThinkGreenProject

The making of the pledges to the environment

Photo opportunity of #ThinkGreenProject Batch One

Rain or Shine

Samantha Marie Frial

Age Group Student

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Female

Religion Baptist

Ethnicity Ilonggo

City, Province, Region, Island General Santos City

Project Title Rehabilitation of Sinawal River Bank through Bamboo Planting

Dates of Project Implementation June 15, 2013

The rain was pouring hard on the 15th day of June 2013. It was the day

that I implemented my community project which is Bamboo Planting in

Sinawal River bank in cooperation with the Supreme Student Government

of Mindanao State University, some 4th year highschool students in our

school and some volunteers and alumi of our Local AFS Chapter. The rain

did not stop me from continuing my project; instead, it further challenged

me as a leader. I cannot deny the

fact that I was afraid that there

might be a tendency that I would

postpone it. I was worried that my

volunteers couldn’t make it due to

the heavy rain. And also, I didn't expect that it will rain. Many of my volun-

teers asked me if my project will still be pursued despite of the rain, then I

told them that it will still be. I just prayed to God to help me make my pro-

ject successful. 6:30 was the time I told them to meet in our school, Minda-

nao State University. When I got there, there were only 3 people present;

that made me worry. But I still waited then when it's already 8:00, there were

already 24 volunteers which are enough because we would only be

planting 80 bamboo plants. It was really a relief for me when we al-

ready set off and went to Sinawal River bank. It's still raining when we

got there. Everyone helped and after one and a half hour, we're already

finished. Of course, photo

ops will never be forgotten.

After everything was settled,

we decided to go back to

school so that we can al-

ready eat my prepared food.

Everyone enjoyed the food

and said it was delicious,

another relief for me. The main objective of my community project is to

revive again the Sinawal River bank because it can no longer be used by

some villagers living near the river. So, with bamboo planting, it could

help clean the river and also it could be a source of livelihood for the B’laans…it just depends on how they will

make use of the planted bamboo to benefit them. At the end of the

day, I'm really elated after the bamboo planting because finally, I

already finished my community project despite the heavy rain. I

know I wouldn't have done it without God, my supportive family

and also the volunteers.

Something New

Mary Kristine T. Gerali

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Female

Religion Catholic

Ethnicity Kagay-anon

City, Province, Region, Island Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Region X, Mindanao

Project Title Re-Create

Dates of Project Implementation July 06, 2013

My community project is entitled Re-Create. Its aim is to promote awareness of the environment especially

to the family in Xavier Ecoville and also to teach children below 13 years old how to make things out of garbage.

Many children are unaware of the problems around us. They are also not aware that most of the garbage that we

throw can be turn into something useful. This project is not only to promote awareness in our environment but also

promote friendships, and relationships especially to the young ones. Through this project we are able to promote

not only to become aware of our environment but also enhances their creativity, and hidden skills of the children

that may be their stepping stone to realize what they will become in the mere future.

There are 5 clusters in the activity namely Plastic Bottles, Scratch Papers, Cellophanes, Straws and Junk

food Wrappers. These things are our main material of the activity. Plastic Bottles were made into pencil case.

Scratch papers were made into different origami. Cellophanes were made into kites. Straws were made into minia-

ture houses. Junk Food wrappers were made into takyan. First, we instruct them to get scratch papers in their homes.

So instead of providing garbage from them, we aim to teach them that there are also garbage in their own homes.

Then if they have returned we checked their papers if it is really scratch. After we have checked each one, we start-

ed teaching them how to do the origami. After we have taught them how to make origami we started explaining

“where paper came from” or” how wasting papers can be bad for the environment”. Its procedure is the same with

the other materials. Some parents are also there to watch their kids so we start to keep reminding the parents that

they should also discipline their kids and to start to teach children as early as they are to conserve water and elec-

tricity and many other things. Lastly, at the end of the day, we distributed goodies for them to enjoy.

This Re-Create also aims to teach the young leaders in Xavier Ecoville through Kab-Ot Program. Kab-Ot

Program is a program where Ateneans teach children about leadership and the spirit of volunteerism. To make my

project sustainable I collaborated with the Kab-Ot program. A part of the teaching module is about environment

and conservation of energy. So by the time they will start to have a leadership program the youth will not only to

learn how to be a leader toward others but also being an activist to the environment. I also collaborated with the

Ignatian Visual Art Club or IVAC they are the art club of Xavier University High School. Once a month, the IVAC

will teach children below 13 years old in Xavier Ecoville how to make new things out of garbage. I also collaborat-

ed with Ateneo Catechetical Instruction League or ACIL. It is a club that teaches Christian Faith to children but this

year they will also focus on other matters like teaching children how to read and write. I introduced to them envi-

ronmental awareness project and they greatly approved in my suggestion. They will teach children in Xavier

Ecoville every Saturday.

Sanitary Toilet and Environmental Health Education

for Coastal Community in Maasin, Zamboanga City

Marti W. Gregorio

Meeting and discussion with the partners for the project Maasin Barangay Chairman Bernardo

and Brent College of Nursing students with Instructor Michelle Gimena and project proponent.

Construction and turn-over of the Sanitary Toilet to the coastal community in Barangay

Maasin, Zamboanga City.

Environmental Health Education conducted by partner Brent Nursing students and instructor Michelle Gimena par-

ticipated by mothers and children with topics to include: Proper Environment Sanitation, Nutrition, and Dengue Pre-

vention

Be the Change You Seek

Duaine Catalan Janiola

Age Group Youth

Batch PYLP10

Gender Female

Religion Roman Catholic

Ethnicity Illongga, Boholana

City,Province,Region,Island General Santos, SOCCCSARGEN XII, Mindanao

Project Title “Save the Spring Water”

Dates of Implementation June 12, 2013

Clean-up drive along spring lakes has be-

come a unique and beneficial activity in the com-

munity. Out of the 26 barangays in General Santos

City, there are around 9 barangays with a long

stretch of spring waters and lakes that serves as the

catch-basin of all of the wastes and garbages in the

entire city.

GenSan is now said to be the number one

mid-sized city in the entire Philippines. This was the

result from the Asian Institute of Management

(AIM) survey which was conducted in the year

2005. Presently, the existence of huge malls and

other facilities translates a lot of demand in terms of

it’s social acceptability especially in the areas of

environmental preparedness. Development is good

but the question is, how prepared is the city for the-

se challenges. Several experiences of other major cities shows how crucial is the effect of development towards the

daily lives of it’s constituents especially when natural calamities strikes like flooding and even just like natural rain

shower that lasts for several hours. Based on observations, water level in the city rises up due to the huge amount of

wastes that were found trapped along the river

banks in the city.

June 12, 2013, Independence Day,

was the slated schedule for the implemen- tation

of my project together with around thirty volun-

teers in partnership with the local govern- ment

unit of GenSan, AFS GenSan Chapter, BAK-

TAS-MSU, friends, non-government or- ganiza-

tion and the target community itself

through the financial assistance extended by the

US State Department, the project was real- ized. It

was indeed a worthwhile event since every partic-

ipant have one thing in mind. That we need to

promote environmental awareness and com-

munity participation so we can help every human

being understand that this planet is a won- derful

place to live in.

The joint-effort and partnership to this purpose

is trying to preserve the environment around us

and will eventually contribute in educating the

constituents in their role to adopt good practic-

es in waste management and environmental

preservation programs and eventually intro-

duce social change. This is also an advocacy

campaign to popularize disaster preparedness

activities in the city. Community participation

is also being promoted in order to achieve the

objectives of this project, with the help of the

U.S State Department in funding this project

and the learnings that we have acquired in

Northern Illinois University, we have success-

fully implemented the project. Foods were

shared to every participant after the clean-up

and the rest of the remaining foods were do-

nated to the children in the community. Possi-

ble extension projects were also discussed before the group dispersed. Also, it was considered to recommend for

some local ordinances to be passed prohibiting waste disposal by the community along the river banks.

Veggie is the Way

Abdulhakim H. Jul

Age Group Youth Leader Batch PYLP 2013 Gender Male Religion Islam Ethnicity Tausug City, Province, Region, Island Siasi, Sulu Project Title Veggie is the way Dates of Project Implementation July 26, 2013 and Aug. 15, 2013 (revisitation)

My community service project is a ''Communal Vegetable Compost Garden''. The site of my pro-

ject is in West Kuntad, Siasi, Sulu. The objective of my project is to give idea to the people of West Kun-

tad and other neighboring barangays about composting, its great help to the environment and as well as to

their farming lives. Thus this will reduce them from burning when they clean their farms rather use the

green stuffs for compost. This project has partnerships with the LGU, my own school Notre Dame of

Siasi and Sangguniang Kabataan. The land that was use for my project is our vice-mayor's land which he

donated. I have 4 kinds of vegetables in my garden these are; eggplants, okras, string beans, and cucum-

bers. In the last week of June my garden was already on, it was ready for planting. Green stuffs were used

and were already decomposed that time. My uncles who lived near the garden are the one who maintained

my garden. I really thank them very much for that. On July 26, 2013 I had the final implementation of my

project wherein we did cleaning of the garden and the lay¬¬-outing. Unfortunately it was done lacking

formality, without a tarp and with very few volunteers because that time Siasi was really critical. We were

only about 15 who made it and that was one of the challenges I had. Challenges were; I was the only alum

of PYLP or any exchange programs wherein I can't ask any advice because I was really the first alum, our

place Siasi really lacks resources and we also don't have an AFS chapter which can help us for more vol-

unteers.

The impact I appreciated the most was when my uncles told me there were people who passed by

the garden and asked them something about composting and then my uncles tell something about what

and how to compost. It was then seemingly a nice idea for them. I have lately provided a tarpaulin for my

project because in Siasi it was difficult and expensive I have it made in Zamboanga. Before I left Siasi

and preparing for the follow-on activity my school sent volunteers which I asked for, together with me for

the acknowledgement of my project wherein I had also introduction about in the site itself. It was revisita-

tion though. Those volunteers weren’t able to join my final implementation because of the past happen-

ings (critical situations) but a schoolmate and friend of mine joined the final implementation. I was glad

they went, acknowledged, and appreciated my project. I provided also two illustration boards together

with the tarp. The boards speak more about composting and its benefit for the farming life. I am also glad

that every people who passed by my garden stops a while and read some info about my project. A worth-

while reading may help as to understand composting benefits to our environment as well as to the farming

lives of people in Siasi. Also there weren’t already harvesting of cucumbers wherein it was also distribut-

ed in some people in my community. Hopefully when the string beans, okras, and eggplants come to a

harvest more and more will benefit until the whole community.

Cleaning of the garden (final implementation)

July 26, 2013

Cleaning of the garden (final implementation)

July 26, 2013

Laying-out of the garden (final implementation) Revisit August 15, 2013

Taking care of the crops Cleaning the area

Volunteers as the Emblem in saving our Mangrove Ecosystem

Malong, Aisah

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Female

Religion Islam

Ethnicity Sangil

City, Province, Region, Island GENERAL SANTOS CITY, SOUTH COTABATO,

SOCSARGEN, MINDANAO

Project Title Volunteers as the Emblem in saving our Mangrove Eco-

system

Dates of Project Implementation June 22, 2013

Being able to address the community environmental problems of foremost importance has to be a product of a care-

ful, informed decision that is achieved by acquiring the expert knowledge of the concerned officials as well as the

approval and support of the community people that makes this goal tangible.

With this regard, I have created my community service project through consultations from our City Envi-

ronment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in General Santos City to help enlighten me about these problems

that need the utmost attention. The team head, Engr. Valiente Lastimoso, advised me to help support their coastal

resource management project through Mangrove rehabilitation. The main target is to be able to grow 25 000 man-

grove trees in the selected coastal areas and as of the year 2012, they already planted 71% of the needed trees in

Purok Minanga, Buayan which is the site for my project implementation.

Moreover, as I have looked through their 2012 accomplishment report, it shows that there are different

volunteer groups who participate every month to make this happen including my own school which participated for

the months February and July.

This has then led me to the conclusion that this must be something what the community really needs and

what the community wishes to be addressed. Indeed, I am making the right choice.

So to get this done, I coordinated with the CENRO officials in order to set the schedule and to be oriented

with the necessary tasks to be undertaken before the actual day of the implementation. After doing so, I have dis-

seminated the information and important reminders to my 40 volunteers which include the students from Mindanao

State University-College Education Training Department (MSU-CETD), Mindanao State University General San-

tos City, and members of the Youth for Environmental Schools Organization (YES-O), a Department of Education-

accredited organization, from General Santos City High School with the help of our local AFS chapter, the AFS

SOCSARGEN.

We conducted the mangrove tree planting activity on June 22, 2013 at Purok Minanga, Buayan, General

Santos City. We provided a free, round-trip transportation service to our fellow volunteers from MSU-CETD (as

the assembly area) to the actual site. It started with a brief orientation from the representatives of CENRO who dis-

cussed the proper steps in planting the seedlings and at the same time conveyed to us its importance that signified

our efforts. Afterwards, we get started with it and enjoyed while doing it until we were able to plant more than 100

mangrove seedlings. When we were already done, we went back to MSU-CETD to serve the free lunch.

The accomplishment of this project seemed too challenging at first especially that currently we are having

the rainy season so not all of the expected participants were able to come (some were not feeling well) in addition

to the fact that it will even be more of a hassle to plant in the shorelines with heavy rains. However, during that day

we had a very fine weather and so we were able to satisfy our aims in doing that activity. I even heard lots of posi-

tive feedbacks from the volunteers that because of this initiative they were able to make a worthy cause while en-

joying it at the same time. In fact, many of them had uploaded some pictures on Facebook with the descriptions

telling about the fun that they had and even thanked me for this experience when they don't even have to.

In turn, this project then serves a beneficial impact to the environment that it has been an aid to the estab-

lishment and/or reinforcement of the mangrove habitat in the place. Mangrove serves many benefits that it can be a

home to the young fishes, food for some surrounding aquatic animals, a means to address pollution, a buffer against

weather disturbances, a protection and beautification to the shoreline landscape. Even if it was a simple project, it

somehow served a very great purpose.

As I support the vision of CENRO in combating the current environmental problems through holistic ap-

proaches, I believe that this accomplishment is a significant contribution to advance such aim and even the future

endeavors of the community as a whole to do something for the environment. Aside from that, I also consider that

one of the greatest fruits that it reaped was the instilling of a very precious value among the volunteers that doing

something for the environment does not really have to be taking much effort on any one's on part all the time. That

to do something worthy, it is not always a necessity to take aggressive, giant steps and face unnecessary risks to

lead you to that cause. Even from your slow beginnings, you gain more of what you've given.

In conclusion, I believe that this project was both an aid in addressing several environmental problems as

well as a useful means that instilled the value of volunteerism which possibly make General Santos City a better

place to live because of the responsible, cooperative individuals.

Arrival at the Actual Site of Project Orientation by the CENRO representatives

Implementation

The Tree Planting Activity Free Lunch at MSU CETD

Sustainability Development: Vermicomposting and Environmental Program

for Climate-Caused Disasters’ Refugees and Residents of Brgy. Tibanga, Iligan City

Ayana Jamnia G. Maranda

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Female

Religion Islam

Ethnicity Maranao

City, Province, Region, Island Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Region X, Mindanao

Project Title Sustainability Development: Vermicomposting and Environmental

Program for Climate-Caused Disasters’ Refugees and Residents of

Brgy. Tibanga, Iligan City

Dates of Project Implementation August 10, 2013

“Give green a chance, it is the only Earth we have.” This has been the battle cry of my community

project. Planning, organizing, and communicating to beneficiaries, sponsors, partner institutions were

never really that easy but once it was done, it was worth all the time and efforts invested. My community

project and the community’s need is sustainability development aimed to empower a resilient Iliganon

through engagement in environmentalism or greenism, most importantly, to utilize environmental re-

sources and/or waste to be used again but with greater importance. It is cored on vermicomposting that is

through the use of African night crawlers (worm), together with other waste products such as horse ma-

nure, vegetable wastes, chicken manure, sawdust, and etc. It is a strategic way of making them feel at

peace with the environment in something that is innovative and they can easily relate to. It was imple-

mented on August 10, 2013 at Brgy. Tibanga, Iligan City.

Beyond the challenges like, the barangay was at some point unresponsive to the letters and meet-

ings that the project was overlooked because of the forced majeure that happened when the prospect site

of the vermibed to be placed was burnt and other substitute areas were also affected because houses were

demolished and people were subject to relocation. With that, it was still made to happen and I am grateful

because of the support from my university, MSU-IIT, and the Department of Psychology and Department

of Extension with the Psychology students that helped me made it happen through the collaborative ef-

forts of consultation in the barangay and door-to-door talk and campaign to introduce the project and raise

awareness of the environment. Moreover, with the expertise of the National Power Corporation- Water-

shed Management Division, in rendering their time who gave the talk and demonstration of the ver-

micomposting as well as supplying and making the necessary materials that were used. I am also happy

that it was more than a family event that my mother was the head of the Psychology Department and my

father being the section chief of NPC-WMD together with the psychology students and volunteers and the

participants-mothers, who were the target of this project, one could serve it as livelihood and also mothers

in nature, that utilizes and nurtures well with what is in the environment.

During the turn-over ceremony (vermibed, vermicast, etc.), I was very happy and hopeful that the re-

sponse from the citizens and a form of resolution to their waste and their part was that, families whose

husband or member who is a ‘kuchero’ will be contracted that horse manure will be collected same with

families who are raising chickens. Solid waste management is also strengthened in the family and com-

munity for biodegradable (‘malata’) materials will be collected and used in vermicomposting. In closing,

there was a favorable response and support of maximization of innovative solutions in support to the envi-

ronment.

Ayana giving her opening remarks on the program on

August 10, 2013 Turn-over of vermicompost to beneficiaries on August

10, 2013.

Forester Alan Biticalan on introducing What is ver-

micomposting on August 10, 2013.

Response of Kag. Wilfredo Mirasol of the turn-over on

Aug. 10, 2013

For. Kharis Maranda, For. Mateo Labastida, And For. Alan Biticalan demonstrating how to set-up vermicompost on

August 10, 2013.

E-Shots on Plastic Bottles

Strengthening Environmental Awareness

By: Nafieza S. Mohammad (PYLP10)

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2012

Gender Female

Religion Islam

Ethnicity Tausug and Maranao

City, Province, Region, Island Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Region IX, Mindanao, Phil-

ippines

Project Title E-SHOTS ON PLASTIC BOTTLES! Strengthening Environ-

mental Awareness

Dates of Project Implementation August 15, 2013

“E-Shots on Plastic Bottles! is a project that hopes to Strengthen Environmental Awareness most especially

the concern on Plastic Bottles - through Photojournalism. I was able to tap the following organizations to help me

endorse the project: the National Youth Commission (NYC), Youth Solidarity for Peace (YSP), National Youth

Parliament (NYP9), Department of Education and Universidad De Zamboanga. I needed additional fund-

ing for mobilization, prizes and sponsors for the refillable water bottles to be given to the participants in

connection to my advocacy, “To Invest in refillable water bottles NOW!”. The sponsors were Eng'r.

Amimbsar Sabdula, Dr. Kunayfa Sabdula, Ms. Zurina Banguih, my parents Adnan J. Mohammad and

Amyra S. Mohammad and my Foster Family in the US Mr. Ron and Nancy Proesel who sponsored the

Aluminum Refillable Bottles.

It's very alarming to know that Plastic Bottles does not decompose easily! Study says... 400 years

for plastic bottle to decompose. I truly realized when we were having the successful Phase 1 of my project

dubbed as “E-Shot on Plastic Bottles Environmental Photojournalism Workshop” last August 15, 2013, I

realized how relevant it is to have such an activity for all of us, not only the students but all the people in a

community and the world be informed of the concern. From the workshop we learned from Dr. Mario R.

Obra, Jr., one of the speakers who discussed on “Raising Environmental Awareness on Plastic Bottles”.

He suggested the following strategies on what can we do with the Plastic Bottles: 1. Initiate a Ban on

Single-Use Water Bottles and encourage the use of Refillable Water Bottles. 2. Prominently Display

Recycling Containers throughout school Campus and offices. 3. Install a Sustainable Water Dis-

penser. 4. Create a Sustainability Team. 5. Place a Filtered-Water Carafe in the Faculty Room Re-

frigerator. 6. Distribute Literature To Employees On the Harmful Effects of Water Bottle Waste. 7.

Recycle.

The one-day environmental photojournalism workshop includes a Photo Contest. We received 27

photo entries that was launched on “E-Shots on Plastic Bottles” page in Facebook for the people to like

the best photos. Criteria for judging are as follows: Relevance to the theme “E-Shots on Plastic Bottles!

Strengthening Environmental Awareness” (40%), Composition and creativity (30%), FB Online likes (20%)

and Overall Impact (10%), with a total of 100%. Awarding of the photo contest winners will be on the first photo

gallery exhibition in my university, Universidad de Zamboanga. Successive exhibitions will be launched in other

schools, government offices and even malls on August 30, 2013 and other dates.

With our hands and with our hearts, we can dare to make a start.

When we open up our eyes, then we start to realize

Together we can change the world!

I believe it’s not too late,

“TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”

ENVIRONMENTAL PHOTOJOURNALISM WORKSHOP PICTURES

“Youth involvement in Environmental Conservation” discussed by the head of National Youth Commission,

Mr. Raymond C. Domingo during the Environmental

Photojournalism Workshop last August 15, 2013.

“Environmental Awareness on Plastic Bottles” discussed by an accomplished Biologist of College

of Science and Mathematics – Western Mindanao

State University, Dr. Mario R. Obra, Jr. during the

Environmental Photojournalism Workshop 8/15/13.

“Environmental Photojournalism” discussed by the

Bigman in Photography, Mr. BigMike Muin during the

Environmental Photojournalism Workshop last August 15.

Inspiring words from Ms. Meryl Grace Agudelo of

the I Can Make a Difference during the Workshop

last August 15, 2013.

Photojournalists in action during the Environmental Pho-

tojournalism Workshop. Their photos will be submitted in

the E-Shots photo contest.

We all pledged to uphold and promote the 3R’s

especially on Plastic Bottles. The Call is to “Invest

in refillable water bottles NOW!”

Closing Remarks of Engr. Aldrin

B. Abdurahim, Coordinator of Ac-

cess-PYLP Alumin during the Envi-

ronmental Photojournalism Work-

shop last August 15.

E-Shots on Plastic Bottles: Photo Contest

Making the Lake Alive

Jalalodin Mustari

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Male

Religion Islam

Ethnicity Maranao

City, Province, Region, Island Marawi City

Project Title Live and Make the Lake Alive

Dates of Project Implementation June 30, 2013 and July 7, 2013

We are living in a harmonious world where we encounter challenges, problems and even obstacles. One of

the problematic groups of people in a certain community was Marawi City. They’ve been suffering from waste

problem which called to be the major problem in Marawi. Before attending the leadership training we are instructed

to have our community needs assessment. I realize then that waste management is just one of their problems that

they are facing and trying to make the best of it, Child laboring, illegal cutting down of trees, and waste problems

are also the reason cause them to worry. Therefore, I concluded that this people need someone to help them solve of

what they are facing today.

I observe a lot of wrong practices during the survey that until today they are performing it. Lake Lanao was

a beautiful lake before and was source of electricity and where aquatic living organism lives. People living near the

lake are just throwing garbage, destroying it instead of conserving and preserving the lake. There’s also a rumor

that by the year 2020 the lake will become unsuitable for marine living and may affect people. That’s why I decid-

ed to take a little move while the hole is not yet getting worst.

And more subsequently, it became an idea to promote this project to be implemented with my peers. With

85 minor volunteers and adult volunteer, it had been a blast and a self fulfillment within each other to help our

Mother Nature. My service through humanity have been laughing stock through a strong believe towards one move

to green revolution and with these, I can clearly states that we have a chance to save our nature with the circum-

stances of my community project, it really morphed me into someone that I don’t expect myself to be.

“Live and Make the Lake Alive” was the theme that I come up with. A community project composed of

three major activities; lake side cleaning, orientation or seminar focusing about child laboring, proper waste man-

agement and observing proper hygiene. The project was successful and sustainable one because we assigned each

people living near the lake an area to clean up whenever it will be messy and will be visiting it every Saturday to

check it up and their performance. The Barangay Chairwoman Mrs. Adelaidah Nor-Lomondot also keeps in

touch with us about segregation of wastes. She also suggested that she will be responsible for it. After these com-

munity service project implemented it was followed again by a community health service, feeding program, and

service learning coordinated by me. It was successful also. The project will not be possible without the volunteers

and the funds of the U.S Department of State-Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs with partnership of

Northern Illinois University and coordination of AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines.

“Live and Make the Lake Alive“

The Genesis Project:A Project on Awareness Heightening & Protection of Sea Turtles

in Amihan, Barangay Dahican, City of Mati, Davao Oriental

Rikk Nicholson M. Nalzaro

Age Group Student/ Youth Participant

Batch PYLP Batch 10 – 2013

Gender Male

Religion Roman Christian

Ethnicity -

City, Province, Region, Island City of Mati, Davao Oriental, Region XI, Island of Mindanao, Phil-

ippines

Project Title The Genesis Project: a project on awareness heightening and

protection of sea turtles in Amihan, Barangay Dahican, City

of Mati, Davao Oriental

Dates of Project Implementation July 23, 2013 (Poster/Slogan Making Competition)

July 29, 2013(Awarding Ceremony for Phase 1)

August 03, 2013(Culminating Event)

*ongoing*(Coastline Monitoring)

The Genesis Project: a project on awareness heightening and protection of sea turtles in Amihan,

Barangay Dahican is a four-phase project that aims to increase public awareness regarding these turtles

and provide necessary equipment to the local residents of Dahican to further empower them as well as aid

them in their initiative of protecting these turtles. The project is funded primarily by the US Department

of State and, secondly, sponsorships and solicitations.

Phase 1: Awareness Heightening through a poster/ slogan making competition was pushed

through with the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy as a local partner. The competition was realized on

July 23, 2013 and was opened to the High School Department of the said school. The outputs were posted

in the school’s gymnasium for a small gallery exhibit. Six days later, on July 29, 2013, the official award-

ing ceremony as well as a general briefing about The Genesis Project was fully realized in the same

school.

Phase 2: Setting Up was fully implemented immediately after the awarding ceremony. The win-

ning outputs were immediately sent for printing into tarpaulins, and the purchasing of necessary equip-

ment were done during this phase. Printing of shirts, follow-ups to solicitation/sponsorship letters and

many other tasks were done and accomplished during Phase 2.

The Culminating Event (Phase 3) was fully realized on August 3, 2013 through the combined ef-

forts of the local residents of Dahican, the Provincial and City Agriculture Office, the HS volunteers from

IHMA and significant others. There was a talk about sea turtles given by Mr. Felipe Montera and Mr.

Welson Plenos, resource speakers from the Provincial and City Agriculture Office and the event was

heightened and ended at the Amihan, Barangay Dahican.

Phase 4: Coastline Monitoring is integrated in the initiative of the local residents to continue the

call of protecting these turtles day and night. After the first three phases, we were able to provide (40)

1x2x8 blocks of wood, several meters of green screen, tarpaulins of the winning outputs, etc. for aware-

ness heightening, some no smoking signage, several meters of rope, and (5 kg) nails. Through Phase 1,

the gallery exhibit, the several briefings about the project, the talk about sea turtles and the tarpaulins

about protecting sea turtles posted in Amihan, we have increased awareness about sea turtles and have

inspired people especially students to be part of this small step in promoting discipline and giving im-

portance as well as protection to these turtles whether they’re hatchlings or matured ones. Also, a new

partnership between the Agriculture Office and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy has been infor-

mally forged and the proposer is in high hopes for something great this year’s science month in Septem-

ber.

PLAY WITH PAPERS: preparation of project proposals

for possible partners for the project

DUE RECOGNITION: awarding for participants, win-

ners and judges of the poster- making competition

THE NEED TO-: purchasing of necessary materials or

equipment based on the community- needs assessment

made

JUMPSTART: basic information about turtles is being

discussed by Mr. Felipe Montera, key speaker

INITIATIVE: importance of protecting sea turtles is

being discussed by resident and community leader, Mr.

Jun Plaza

FUN INCORPORATED: learning is being provided

through fun- filled activities during the Culminating

event

Lights

Sanjeev A. Parmanand

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2012

Gender Male

Religion

Ethnicity

City, Province, Region, Island Lanuza, Surigao Del Sur, CARAGA, Mindanao

Project Title Lights - Bringing clean lights to locals

Dates of Project Implementation July 26, 2013

My community project was implemented on the 26th of July 2013. It was in auxiliary support to the One

Million Lights Philippines Chapter. The goal of the project was to provide the locals who are below the poverty line

access to clean and safe solar lights. The organization needed an educational component for the locals, so they

would know how to use the lights. Usually, they resort to using firewood or kerosene. A significant part of their

income goes to these alternatives. However, many of them do not realize that these are also harmful to their health.

According to studies, smelling one lamp of kerosene is as good as being exposed to 2 packs of cigarettes. The pro-

ject involved an educational component which talked about the harmful effects of such alternatives. This was the

first of two phases. The second phase involved the locals gathering into groups. Each group had a designated leader

who would teach them about how to use the lamp, its modes, and how to recharge it. This was done to minimize

the harmful effects that these options have on the locals and the environment. More importantly, the project serves

as an eye opener for these locals to become more environmentally friendly. Since most of them work in the agricul-

ture industry, they started to become more aware of the effects of burning excessive wood and kerosene.

The planning stages of the project only involved two challenges which was communication with the local

partners in Surigao. However, this is one of those problems that one usually experiences during the planning stages

of any community project. Another challenge was that the locals had a bit of trouble heading the venue because of

the weather. Thankfully, it was only a short delay until we could start the program. The implementation of the pro-

ject went well as the locals seemed to be very pleased with the solar lights that were given to them. They spoke

about how they had to chop firewood just so they would have light to see their surroundings. More overly, they

spoke of how it was hard to feed their kids with the kerosene lamps lying around.

Implementation Stage

– Locals with Lights

(July 26, 2013)

Educational component – Teach-

ing locals about how to use the

lights

Photo courtesy of One Million

Lights Philippines (July 26, 2013)

Real Beauty from Action

Deanjann B. Piloton

Age Group Youth Leader (College Student)

Batch PYLP 10

Gender Male

Religion Catholic

Ethnicity Tagalog

City, Province, Region, Island Mati, Davao Oriental

Project Title Beauty Junk-Drive: Waste Management Program

Dates of Project Implementation 1st part-July 15; 2

nd Part-August 1; 3

rd Part- Aug 2; 4

th part- Aug 9,

2013

It was 15th day of June when I and my main partner, the MLGR Memorial School, conducted the first part

of the project- Environmental Awareness Orientation: MLGR Leadership Training Program with the theme:

“Learners of Today, Leaders of Tomorrow, Forever Stewards of Mother Earth.” it was held at the covered court of

the school and was participated by the school student officers (SPG- Supreme Pupil

Government) and interested class officers. All in all, there were 32 participants of

the said event. This one-whole-day program aims to increase the awareness of the

students to different occurring environmental problems especially to the problem

present at their area. This also aims to give them background about what will

happen in the future depending on their present actions, and empower them to lead

the change through the program's different games, teambuilding activities and

discussions. It was all made possible through the undying efforts of School principal

and volunteers (teachers and students) to organize the program, and inspirational

messages given by Purok President Arturo Militante and Hon. Noli S. Balugo, Mati

Councilor, which served as an eye-opener for everyone. With the help of the

program, I was given the opportunity to share my experiences in PYLP and what I

have learned after. Opportunity to speak was also given to SPG Adviser, Ms. Norma

B. Angie, who encourages the participants to share what they have learned from

this program and continue to be good citizens of the country and steward of

Mother Earth.

The next part of the project is the clean-up operation and junk

collection held on August 1, 2013 (morning: clean-up operation,

afternoon: junk collection). The covered area of the clean-up operation

is the school campus and its outside territory which is the purok Unity

(Kahi-usa). During this activity, my main partners were the SPG

Officers and SPG adviser. With me also were some community

volunteers. In the afternoon, we collected and listed the junks in the

covered court in order to

sell those in the junk shop

and determine the

winners.

Next, on August

2, 2013, the culmination

program of the project was

launched. This short program was held on one of the School

classrooms with the presence of School Principal, Mati Councilor,

Purok President, SPG Adviser, Subject Coordinators, and students

(participant of the 1st part of implementation). It was from this

program that I spoke my words of gratitude for the volunteers,

Arranging the junks by group

Illustrating to them the essence

of “time management”

Cutting of ribbon led by Hon. Balugo and

Principal

participants, and contributors for they are all important part of the success of the project. Before I ended my speech,

I reminded the community to take good care of six wheeled garbage bins and to continue to pursue innovative ideas

to generate funds and create environmental projects. In effect, the community urged to uphold junk drive

competition every year because of its apparent enhancement of competitiveness and at the same time, a good source

of project funds.

Another part of the culmination was the words of gratitude and friendly reminders of the Principal, SPG

adviser, Purok President and Coun. Balugo. Sir Balugo was really glad about the result of the project since we

were able to generate funds for more than P13, 000.00. Because of that, he promised to give P10, 000.00 to the

community for any projects they plan to implement.

The final part of the culmination was the giving of awards to the winners of Thrash-Cash League: Junk-

Drive Competition and the cutting of ribbon led by the school Principal and Hon. Balugo which serves as a

formality of turn-over of six wheeled garbage bins. The last stage was the project monitoring that was held on

August 9, 2013. We were really glad to find out that according to our evaluation (with Purok President, SPG

President and SPG Adviser) the community was improving in terms of sanitation and waste management.

At last, they were enjoying all the benefits of the project.

Stage 1: Conjure Envi- Awareness

Stage 2: Project Operation

Stage 4: Monitoring

Stage 3: Culmination

Purok President delivering his inspirational message 1

st teambuilding activity

Clean-up drive in the morning and junk

collection in the afternoon The area turned to be freer from garbage.

Recognition of the winners of the Thrash-Cash League The Councilor reminded the community to take good

care of the project output

Ecological Solid Waste Management Project for Youth: Waste Segregation & Composting

Charmine Z. Puig

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Female

Religion Evangelical Alliance

Ethnicity Cebuano

City, Province, Region, Island Tawi-Tawi, ARMM, Bongao

Project Title Ecological Solid Waste Management Project for Youth:Waste Seg-

regation and Composting

Dates of Project Implementation July 20 & July 26, 2013

Garbage has been the problem of the municipality of Bongao that piled up on identified street corners wait-

ing for the garbage truck to be transported. It seems that the responsibility of getting rid of these wastes depend

solely on these trucks. Cleanliness drives, and other annual activities of the municipality will just temporarily make

the surroundings of Bongao clean but then the same situation happens again after.

Influence by my profession as a teacher it has been my passion to mobilize young teens and youth to devel-

op awareness and sense of responsibility in managing the unending problem in Bongao about managing the increas-

ing volume of solid waste. It is with fervent hope that through an Ecological Solid Waste Management Program for

Youth and Young Teens we can address this environmental problem in Bongao in our own little way.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• Create awareness among the Youth on proper waste disposal specifically waste segregation and composting

• Lessen garbage leading to clean environment

• Practice waste segregation and composting at home

• Use compost to fertilize gardens

As I presented my passion and desire to my friends, church mates, outreach program coordinator and team

member, they volunteered to help me in planning the actual implementation. We surveyed three barangays in

Bongao that has a positive response to our program and visited household, talked to parents if they were willing to

send their children to participate on ESWMP. Most of the families who responded were living in poverty. The three

barangays are Motorpool, Kalye Bisaya and Simandagit. The Bongao Alliance Church offered the venue for us for

free and so we decided to transport these teens and youth to the venue on the said dates.

The orientation on the first day was truly a success, about 43 teens and youth participated with 15 volun-

teers who gladly assisted and supported actively. On the second day of implementation, we had an actual waste seg-

regation and hands-on activity teaching them how to creatively make these waste into decorations.

Social impact

Based on parent’s feedback, they were glad that these teens and youth participated on program. Instead of

worrying where their children would go and hang out with friends during Saturday, parents were secured to know

that somebody took care of them and teach them good things through the program. Their children started to be

aware on how to segregate their waste and keep food scraps for composting. A college professor of Environmental

Science Department in MSU-TCTO who heard about our program made an intention to conduct a composting pro-

ject together with her student using old tires. Their composting project may be done before the end of the first se-

mester.

Contribution of the project Youth and Teens this time know well about managing solid waste by segregation and composting. Some

youth participant, were planning to share this to their respective schools and proposed it as a project in the Supreme

Student Council. Because of the positive impact of the program, the Outreach Program Coordinator suggested to

sustain the weekly gathering of these youth and teens every Saturday and let them experience more about recycling,

reusing, and composting which will lead on future planting activities in their own community. Fortunately this was

approved and now we had a regular class every Saturday morning from 8:00-11:00 a.m with free snacks and trans-

portation. An initial plan also was done by the team to donate seedlings for the vegetable garden of the families of

these teens to sustain their livelihood.

Challenges

The first challenge that I met in doing this project was the weather condition that we have on the scheduled

dates of implementation. Due to heavy rain we had to postpone our actual hands-on activities and composting activ-

ities. Second, waste segregation was easy to conduct but composting took a lot of weeks to succeed since it needs

biodigester or enzyme to speeds up the process of composting but unfortunately it was not available in Bongao.

Third, the hectic schedule that I have because of the nature of my job and other responsibilities that I need to do. I

desired to extend and continue the program even without my presence by training volunteer teachers (college stu-

dents) to do the task in leading and teaching these youth and teens every Saturday until such time these youth and

teens will develop a habit of managing their own waste starting at home.

July 20, 2013, Registration Actual Waste Segregation Orientation about ESWMP

HANDS ON ACTIVITIES July 26, 2013

Teens creatively made decoration out of food wrappers

Upcycled: cycling through Art Arthur Joshua S. Rodriguez

Age Group Youth Leader

Batch PYLP 2013

Gender Male

Religion Roman Catholic

Ethnicity Zamboangueno

City, Province, Region, Island Zamboanga City

Project Title “UPCYCLED:Recycling through art”

Dates of Project Implementation August 16 & 17 2013

Through a Cleanup drive on Barangay Tetuan with the help of the Barangay Officers the students then will under-

stand the reality our Environment is facing. After the Cleanup, drive the students undergone a session entitled “A

tip from an Expert” this session will help them in cartooning and crafting which is their specialty. At the end of the

day the students are expected to present an output which is parallel to the objectives of the program and that is to

educate them with knowledge about saving our Environment plus showing and making them feel the effort of other

people who wants the Environment to be passed on with worth it livings. Moreover, I have then felt that there is a

necessity to indulge art here is Art can be very influential to young individuals who can then be an Epitome of pro-

gress and change. Zamboanga City High School (Main) has this curriculum which showcases Visual Arts with that

I have then made the choice of choosing them to be my partner since it will be a win-win situation. It all started

with a talk which focused on Environmental Awareness I believe that this is one of the most important knowledge a

person should acquire and put to importance. We had a cleanup drive which helped them realize he significance of

the trash that the surrounding has one of which are those who form part to the category of Recyclable materials like

PLASTIC BOTTLES, CUPS, PAPERS, MAGAZINES and Etc. The students then had their time to apply the reali-

zations they had through a process called UPCYLED/UPCYCLING. It’s overwhelming to see the efforts of these

Artists who firmly believe that an Art knows no bounds. Artists are free to create any art form out of any object or

material that is available to them. Using Recyclable materials to create art is always a win-win situation. The trash

is freely available everywhere and doesn't cost a thing, while the art form helps lower the quantity of waste around

and turning it into something useful.

From a 1.5 bottle of coke, the

artist used it as a medium to cre-

ate a bouquet with earrings.

Out of old newspapers, the artist

came up with this cute violet col-

ored Miniature.

Some of the finished products

made by the Visual Arts students

of ZCHS-Main

ART GALLERY

Environment Resolution Environment Conflict

PHOTO GALLERY