Banate Bay Boat Launching Ceremony

No prefabrication happening here

The Provincial government donated materials for the fisherfolk to build boats in our community after typhoon Yolanda hit last year. Having just been finished, the official launching was held recently for two different municipalities along our bay. 

These included Anilao (where Lauren works) and Barotac Nuevo (the neighboring municipality).  Some of these boats are larger than others and some have motors and some don't. What's amazing is all of these were hand made by the fisherfolk. It is an art form that is still very much alive within the communities. 

Livelihoods & Policy Writeshop

Youth livelihood training in the neighboring municipality

World Vision Production of Child's Rights Policy Writing Workshop

I work with the non-governmental organization World Vision. The mission we are working on here in the Visayas is to fight against child labor, especially here in the sugarcane planting region where we live. Not only are there local sugarcane producers here, but large plantations of sugarcane owned by one family which promote an environment in which families are forced to have their children join them in the field. This is the only way some families can produce enough yield to earn enough money to live off.  

This two day event was designed to teach local partners in the communities we work in how to create and write local ordinances covering children, their rights to education, and freedom from being subjected to labor.

Intrupahan Beach Trip 2

The most beautiful places in the Philippines can be located just around the corner. 

Our nearest swimmable waters are a mere 1 hour away, but are technically still part of our municipality. It is a beautiful walk through a series of 8 different coastal communities.

When the tide is out there is a small sand beach, covered in seashells and rocks that have been smoothed from the continuous current.  The nipa huts (indigenous habitat) provide a shady escape from the sun while the numerous coconut trees provide a perfect snack. Everyone, even the local dogs, love the coconut!!!