Dumagat Give a Gift Project and Feeding Program

Sitio Bulak, General Tinio Nuve Ecija
( known as Papaya Nueva Ecija)

Fresh from its "Back to School Project" with the Iraya Mangyan Tribe of Sitio Latag, Occidental Mindoro, The group is once again up for another Charity event, this time with the Dumagat Tribe of Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija. The result of ocular inspection in Sitio Bulak, Rio Chico, Papaya Nueva Ecija, gives the group an immediate action to attend the need of our Dumagat countrymen. Our Mission of Hope for the Children continue to do so with its programs and events.

It is our little way of letting them know that education is a fundamental right of every children, not just for the city dwellers , but even for those in the far mountainous part of the country living in poverty and stricken by illiteracy . Akyat Aral Org. believes that every children has the right and deserves the chance for a better school for them to learn and develop their skills for a much better future. 

From a proposed simple feeding project, this event went on becoming more likely our previous project , giving School materials to the kids and Ecobag full of grocery items given to 100 Dumagat families of Sitio Bulak, this had been possible with the generosity from our supporters/donors.

It was the first time that the group didnt trek/walk up to its chosen community. Special thanks for the support and assistance of the local Government of Gen. Tinio headed by Mayor Virgilio Bote and Councilor Nestor Sib-at , which they have provided the group with vehicles ( Jeep, Dump Truck & a Van) for an easier and faster way going to Sitio Bulak plus an escort from its local Police.

Seeing all of these this things, the excitement builds with every minute. AA Participants were not just ready, but extremely EXCITED! some of which chose to ride as top loads of the Jeepney feeling the cool breeze and breathing the fresh air of Nueva Ecija.

Halfway through, the road becomes more difficult, as cemented pathways became rocky and sloppy. Unfortunately, the 3 vehicle could not  pass anymore since the road became more stiffer with crater like dents which is impossible for these vehicles to manage through.

 As a contingency measure, Councilor Sib-at asked the help of Ms Carmen Manuel, A local NGO and Municipal employee asking for the assistance providing the group with a "SKELETON", a Jeep like vehicle with no exterior covering,  big enough to accommodate all of the participants and its load of goodies . This vehicle is more capable of strolling up the difficult and treacherous path up to sitio bulak.

While waiting, the group stayed at Brgy. Sibug Hall for a temporary shelter. The participants then took their lunch and take the opportunity to rest.. The local Brgy hall caretaker are generous enough providing us firewood's and assist us in what the group needs for cooking, he also let some of the participants took a nap inside the hall.

Then came the "SKELETON"!, the group wasted no time and ride on to it immediately. The 2 hour bumpy and roller coaster ride like journey to Sitio Bulak seems to have given more excitement to the participants, even though conducive, the group manage to make it fun and feeling the thrills of the ride... And that's the true SPIRIT!

The group reach Sitio Bulak at 5:00 PM, having no more time to set camp, they quickly prepare the venue and everything else needed for the program at a hall near the school. Fortunately, this was already been coordinated ahead of time with Teacher Aileen Pajarillaga, so the much needed Cooking utensils were already been prepared for our feeding program.

The program started with an introduction made by host, explaining the mission of Akyat Aral, how we have gathered the donations and the most important inspirational talk about the importance of EDUCATION to these eager Dumagat children

Even the darkness of the Night could not stop the groups passionate heart to serve and give fun to these people, the program and fun games continue with only lightened  by Flash lights and the headlight of the Skeleton Jeep..

Dinner is Served! Its almost dinner time when the "Sopas" was cooked. These treat was distributed to our anxious and hungry guest.

 Akyat Aral Officials decided to continue the program the following day since it is getting too late and it already starting to drizzle... Lights Out!

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Early morning, the program continues ..The group also cooked "Pancit Canton" noodles that was serve to our guest.

 Again, the group conducted fun games while preparing the goods for distribution. The games were enjoyed by both The young and the young at hearts.  These Dumagats seems to have enjoyed  all the fun games prepared for them and participated gamely. 

Lastly, the group then distibuted the School supplies to morethan 60 children and the grocery items to 100 families. Clothes and toys were also given. 

It was indeed a fun and memorable day for both The Dumagats and The Akyat Aral Members and Volunteers. It was a day we have set aside our cultural indifference, our statures in life and just let go and interact with our brothers and sister, leaving everyone with a  SMILE that would last a LIFETIME.

Many thanks to all sponsors, donors, volunteers, Municipality of General Tinio (Papaya) Nueva Ecija and the Chinese Community of Juan Luna,  Binondo,  Manila, for providing   school materials needed for school rehabilitation.

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Dumagat of Sitio Bulak - A First Look

With the Mission to give hope and help our needy countrymen, Akyat Aral Org is on a look out once again for another community to help and conduct its charitable projects.  A friend of one of AA's Officer,  Mr Dave Macariola, the Tourism Officer of Gen. Tinio, Nueva Ecija got to introduce to us the the Dumagat Tribe of Sitio Bulak in Rio Chio, N.E., Though he is really promoting their municipalities priced gem, the "MINALUNGAO" National Park, he also asked the group to help their Minorities ,and  that's how it all started.

The Dumagats are of the Agta Negrito group found in Luzon, another indigenous people living in the Sierra Madre Mountain range. The Dumagats are semi-nomadic. They are moving from place to place in search of better habitation. Recently the Dumagats learned to live permanently, in the different location of Luzon.

Akyat Aral deployed it 2 officers namely;  Sherill Bacani & Emer De Jesus to went for an ocular inspection of the place. With the assistance of Mr Macariola & a member of an NGO in Gen. Tinio, Ms Carmen Manuel, they were able to climb up to Sitio Bulak riding a motorcycle locally called as "Kolong-kolong" owned by the family of Ms Aileen Pajarillaga, the Volunteer teacher of the school situated in Sitio Bulak.

Armed with the belief, advocacies and personal commitment to reach out and touch thousand of children and  families in different community and ethnicity. The Akyat Aral  two  man team never wasted time and immediately proceeds to Sitio Bulak, a two hours ride with the Kolong Kolong( a kind of tricycle) to find out the needs of the people and most especially  the kids

Getting more time for an interview with the teacher, they learn more about the teacher, and they discovered a new breed of (unsung) heroes of our nation, in her own little way, but a big help on her students as well as the Dumagat community in Sitio Bulak.

Teacher Aileen was teaching the Dumagat for over 4 year. She together with her family had devotedly been helping and teaching our “DUMAGAT” brothers and sisters residing in this mountainous areas  of Nueva Ecija. Enduring the travel the travel up the muddy and treacherous trails going to the sitio just to teach these people is already a big challenge.

She had been teaching the Dumagat kids with little less school supplies and utilizing all resources just to ensure that her students would be able to learn to at least read and write.

 In Sitio Bulak, there is only one classroom, and it is not either a formal learning school accredited by DEPED, it is only a DSWD Day Care Center, with only an integrated learning system only focusing only basic skill learning like reading and writing. With an interview with the school Teacher Aileen Pajarillaga

She is very concern about their classroom, since the rainy season has arrived, she's afraid that the room would not withstand storms/typhoons since it is only made up of "sawali"(a thin sheet of weaved bamboo strips) and that the walls and flooring are already dilapidated and the roofs are leaking.

Our goal for this place is to be able to repair or much better to build new classroom for this community


To our two man team congratulation, job well done..

Let's give them  hope and help build their dream.

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Build Dreams, One Step at a Time

BACK TO SCHOOL PROJECT II 

Iraya Manyan Tribe

Sitio Latag, Barangay Udalo, Occidental Mindoro.

The advocacies and personal commitment  of each member of the group Akyat Aral  to reach out and touch lives of hundreds children and families in different community and ethnicity in a far mountainous areas of the country will continue to do so with its program and events.

Nearly 4 months of planning and preparation for the "Back to School Project" for the benefits of the Iraya Mangyan Tribe of Sitio Latag in Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, has come. 
This includes providing foods, clothing's, slippers and toys for the communities.

The project aims to provide school materials and personal needs of the students and families are just a part of the project, but instead, the main objective is to inspire and motivate young minds the importance of education for their future. 

Inspired with the  advocacy  to find and help less fortunate countrymen the group got

inspired by , a docu film by GMA 7, named "300 Kilometro" featuring the Iraya Manyan Tribe, the group got interested looking into the lives of these indigenous people living differently away from the busy modern city life with only just 300 kilometers away from Manila.

The project is led by Akyat Aral's 11 man advance team, transporting more than 40 saacks full of donations. They are composed of different individuals who leaves their job a day before the event to secure transportation of gathered donations from Manila, boarding to Roro Boat from Batangas Pier to Abra de Ilog Port. where it needs to be loaded in a "Bangka" from the port to jump off point at Barangay Udalo, then going up to Sitio Latag with help of the locals.

The advance team

Reaching Them 

The location of the project is  already a big challenge to both  members and volunteers, enduring the long travel crossing the ocean, the slippery rivers and the very physically challenging trek up to Sitio Latag was never an easy task, it is where the passion of mountaineering adventures was now an integrity to promote social responsibility by helping our countrymen  in needs.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The Event

Started with its "OPLAN LIGO". A mass bathing activity intended for the Mangyan kids. This need of the community was identified during the groups on site ocular inspection  last January. During  the event, the team shows the locals most especially its children the importance of proper hygiene. Due to scarcity of resources, this need is often times left out prioritizing more on their food and other basic needs. Investing in bath soap, as well as laundry soap, toothpaste and toothbrush was never a priority.

While doing some task, some member started the repair and painting of the school with the help of some locals.

 While the member of the group is preparing for the program, kids and member of the community are waiting around.

 Distribution of Slippers

 Distribution of School Uniform

Their New Look 

Recess  (Feeding Program)

 Feeding program is also part of the event. Giving these children a delicacy most likely that they have tasted for the "First Time" of their lives. A delicious treat for our little anxious and excited guest.

 Parlor Games 

Having some fun with the kids  and the old ones too.

Distribution of Eco Bag Treats

A bag filled with assorted groceries, such as canned goods, noodles, hygiene stuff and more..

Distribution of Clothes

Distribution of School Bags and School Supplies 

Being a genuine student is a great feeling amongst children with a new school bag full of school supplies, walking in the fields with a new slipper, wearing their new uniforms and most important wearing a new

"SMILE"

Full of inspiration and hope that there is a bright tomorrow awaiting them, if they will all strive hard for their future...

With this Akyat Aral Org. believes that we have made a difference,,

One Step at a TIME

Our appreciation for the generous support of our sponsors/donors and volunteers

Your personal commitment was incredibly helpful and allowed us to reach our beloved people in Sitio Latag

Your assistance  means so much to us, but even more to Akyat Aral "Back to School Project"       

"Ang lahat ng ito ay imposible kung wala po ang tulong nyo.

Salamat sa pagtitiwala nyo sa aming grupo". 

" Ang maging tagapagdala po ng inyong tulong ay isang malaking karangalan sa bawat isa sa amin, sapagkat nakita at nadama namin ang kaligayahan ng mga taong natulungan ninyo."

"Muli ang taos puso naming pasasalamat sa inyong lahat, sa mga miyembro, sa bawat isa, salamat. maraming salamat"

None of this would be possible without your help. Thank you for the trust in our group.Being the carrier of your help is already a great pleasure in every one of us, because we have seen and felt the happiness of these people you've helped.

Again our heartfelt gratitude to all of you, 

Thank you very much.

All this in God's Glory!

"Its not how much we GIVE, but much LOVE we put in GIVING" Your simple gesture of generosity could help build a lot of dreams, one step at a time....

In kind and Cash donation accepted!

 For cash donation, you may course thru your donations on our official bank accounts specified on the picture. Thanks you very much and may the Good Lord, Bless Us All!!

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