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Thursday, November 5, 2015

A Dream Has Come True, Akyat Aral Project Classroom.

Build Dream, One Step at a Time

In the beginning, it was only a dream, Now the dream is turning into reality. Slowly, this dream is being built with the help of those who supports Akyat Aral. Tomorrow, this dream that we shares with the community  of Sitio Bulak, will be built. It was a challenging task for us, but we know that the people believe in the faith of Akyat Aral is always behind us, and we know that God is always behind us,  in our advocacy to give help to those people in needs. 
With our mission to Give Hope , Akyat Aral sent two of its members, Sheryl and Emer to find out another community for our charitable project. Armed with their belief and advocacy, but remain empty headed about their destination.

From Manila, they travel to Papaya (General Tinio) Nueva Ecija and proceed to municipality hall and asked assistance from the town officials  about  the Damagat Tribes that scattered in the highland of the municipality.
In an accidental opportunity, all goes towards to their purpose. They  met the people they need, trough them they found teacher Aileen Pajarillaga. The teacher is a volunteer teacher in Sitio Bulak, is above all the person they need to meet.

The two men team, Emer and Sherill, discover a new breed of unsung hero in the person of teacher Aileen, for devoting herself, together with her family to help the young Dumagat kids, as well as the whole community of Sitio Bulak. She is teaching Dumagat for 6 years now, with less school supplies and just utilizing all resources to ensure that the students will not remain ignorant, instead be able to learn at least to read and write.

After introducing to each other , the two man team and teacher Aileen with her family, never wasted any more time, they immediately proceed to Sitio Bulak, Here the Akyat Aral members endured how hard to travel up to the said Sitio, riding o a type of motorcycle, commonly known in the town as "kolong kolong" for two hours into a muddy and treacherous travelling up is very challenging.
There's only one classroom in Sitio Bulak, it is not either a formal learning center accredited by Department of Education (DEPED), instead, it is only a DSWD Day Care Center, with an integrated learning system, focusing the basic skill of learning like reading and writing.

The class room is made up of old and damaged  lumbers,  sawali walls and dilapidated roofs, that according to teacher Aileen may not withstand for long time, especially when there's storms and strong typhoon.

Akyat Aral goal for this place is to be able to repair or much better to build a new classroom for this community.
A week after the fist visit to Sitio Bulak,  Akyat Aral immediately created a program for the indigenous inhabitant of Sitio Bulak, despite of the volume of mobility to various places of the group especially during the month of May and June, focusing the Back to School program, they inserted the place and give helps according to their immediate needs. 

The first events created in the area was followed by a different programs like Akyat Kalusugan a feeding program project, Give a Gift during Christmas, and many others programs according to the aspirations of the group. 

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October 13-14, 2013 when  typhoon Santi, (international name - Nari), a deadly typhoon with a 150 kilometers winds per hours and guts of 180 kph  that made landfall in the Philippines, and struck Luzon, before striking Vietnam. The school of the tribes as well as their houses which are made in light materials are devastated. According to The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), there are 200,000 people affected, more than 43,000 people and 9,000 families are displaced, and more than 16,500 houses are damaged, but we never know if they are counted... 

It was a great worries for our group to what happened for them. Our group aims is to help those children in far mountains, for them to learned, but the school was devastated, and cannot be repair. The group put another temporary shelter for the children as their school. 

In the most unexpected time, there was always an answers to every question, there are instances that answers for somethings you forgot to asked as a question. 


And the answer is....
The group organization is a volunteered based, one time, one of our member, Sir Rommel, invited a guest volunteer in the person of Sir Tony, as per group observation, sir Tony is a very industrious and competent person especially in cooking.

Sir Tony, talk to our leader, Sir Albert Atieza, to visit their office, the IMS.
Sir Albert, discussed the group vision,  mission and advocacy rendering help with the less fortunate children, in the far mountainous areas in the country. Sir Albert  explained that there are many proposals from different groups and organization to join with us, but we rejected those plans and proposals, because we cannot provide any documents and other pertinent papers as a group, because we are not registered in SEC, we don't  have a money or funds for the registration.  The materials we shared in the communities are complied, according to whta are needed in every project. ...only, everything we created the events,coming from some donors , sponsors and from the member and volunteers itself. All the transportation and the food we eat are coming from everyone pocket. 

The IMS officers are just smiling, despite of the serious explanation of Sir Albert, and to make the story short, the help is not coming from IMS itself, instead, from the employees. All employees will provide helps for the project of the group. 

The joy and  apprehension.
A great joy for the group to give a school building for the Duagat tribes in Sitio Bulak, but despite of all good news, a worries on the part of Akyat Aral how if the funds donated by IMS is not sufficient,  this may fall short to finish the school building. 

The solution.
Sir Andy, a Korean, who is also a member of Akyat Aral since the group formed, told that they will always behind to every cause of Akyat Aral. 


Here it all started.....
The blue print.
Just right after receiving the funds from IMS employee, Akyat Aral members never waste any time, they immediately proceed in Papaya, Nueva Ecija, to buy all the necessary materials for the construction of the school building.

Standing in front, from left Alpha Cabasal, Albert Atienza from Akyat Aral  and Sir Tony represent IMS.
From the town proper, they broght the comstruction materials in the Sitio, such as cements, gravel and sands, nail and ,many others. 
Since trees are scattered in the sitio, the locals take over the lumbers.
The site where to build the school building.
The construction.

We hired a foreman to lead the construction of the school building, while the locals supported the construction for free. 
The outside appearance of the classroom in unfinished state.
A new chairs and other furniture's for the room is ready. The volunteer and the locals, help each other for painting ...
The truck loaded of supplies, especially for the kids and some for their family. 
From the temporary school room, the kids are ready to transfer for their new school building...

(The school opening)
 The room was not  finish,  especially the outer part  and there still a lot to be added, but we need to open it for the school opening for 2015

The elderly Dumagat are very happy upon entering the classroom. The only concrete building in their place, to be use by their youth to sharpen their intelligence.
The classroom may also serve as their shelter in-case of  unexpected natural disasters.
The opening become touchy for teacher Aillen. This is unexpected blessing for the community.  This is not for her, but for the children she serves for almost 6 years. and for the upcoming young Dumagat students. 

A thank you words from the Dumagat community. 
Akyat aral would like to acknowledge Papaya town mayor Virgilo Bote for his generosity and kindness in welcoming and recognizing Akyat Aral in his town. He joined us for opening the school building, he joined and  sleep with us and  turned our meal into a feast. The patience he asked that he neglect something in his town  because of the volume of his priority shows his humility and humbleness. The grand gesture he show with us is an important positive emotion that give us an strongest force to continue helping those in needs, not only in his town, but in all places that we can reach.  


The usual program continue











Our gratitude
Atsa Phil. (Korean Group) From the beginning you are with us, for all the time, you are here to support us.
Thank you very much.

IMS Health Employees,Thank you very much for being our major sponsor in making this dream classroom into reality.

Section Juan, thank you for your support

Akyat Aral Member and Volunteers, Thank you for understanding, patience and dedication to this project.

To every one who made this project possible. Thank you.

Above all, Lord God,  Everything is impossible without you. Your way is not our way, Your will is not our will.  May Your way and will be done.  To God be the glory. 


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The classroom is not finished yet. There's still a lot of work to be done. We aim that this classroom is a place for these children to exercise, socialize and develop skill that will be useful throughout their lives.



Akyat Aral is dedicated to the process of making this happen but we need your help. Your donation will bring us closer to our goal. We are clearly excited and eager to see this project succeed. You can be a part of this excitement by supporting our missions. 


In Kind and Cash Donation Accepted
For cash donation, you may course thru your donations on our official bank account specified on the picture.
Thank you very much and may God Lord bless us all.



For other forms of donations, please visit our face book account and send us a message.

Akyat Aral 


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Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Akyat Aral Fun and Joy Tour with Dumagat Children

The Fun and Joy Tour

Akyat Aral maintained and continue to take care our Dumagat children, because our group believe that their self-esteem is affected by social context and social comparison. Our way  is to promote their lifelong emotional well being to help them  feel connected.


The "Fun and Joy Program with the Dumagat Children" is created as dream event of our fellow member to give the children a real experience of having fun and interaction with other people.  Through this event, we want them to feel connected  especially to our volunteers, who stand as their foster parents.
The tour started from Papaya Nueva Ecija Municipal Hall as a meting place. The volunteers come from Manila, while the children walk down from the mountain.
We prepare some food for them to eat, and their cloths, a new slippers, new short pants,  including undergarments for this special day.
They are divided into two vehicle. Everyone is excited.  Most of the children are first time to get down to their town proper.Much more to ride in this kind of vehicles, and to have a field trip like this. 



The Destination
Sky Ranch Pampanga, SM Pampanga and Jollibee Robinson (Pampanga)
The Sky Ranch Pampanga, is situated in the car park of SM San Fernando featuring  a wide numbers of rides that we know that the kids will surely enjoy.


Being first, in this kind of activity, a fear was their first reaction. 
We need some brave children to take a ride ahead of the others.then one by one they joined with their foster parents  and the rest is full of fun and excitement . 

One of the main attraction is the roller coaster that excite both the children and the foster parents. 


Each ride captures excitements. All are smiled, and smiled and smiled.  

The fun turns into a great bonding between the children and the Akyat Aral volunteers. 
Another highlight that children experienced is the Ferris Wheel, considered the highest in the country at 65 meters(204 feet) tall and 50 meters in diameters with 32 air conditioned gondolas. 

If they know how to climb the tree and enjoy at the top,  this time, it give a breathtaking ride that give a breathtaking view at the top of the ride.

A food kiosk and refreshment around the park,  enjoyed both,  the kids and their foster parents.

Since the amusement park is right behind the SM, some of them took time to buy something for the kids.


.And the shame factor overcome.....this is it... 

 Our indigenous people experience not only poverty, but also marginalization as well as discrimination. 
 The Dumagat children feels that there are people around that willing to take care and willing to stand as their second parent and or a second family to lean on....



Party at Jollibee Robinson Pampanga


The party begins with a warm welcome from the Jollibee employees

Timid smile,  no more!!!
For three years of visiting Sitio Bulak, we know that this children are shy. We was surprised when suddenly they dance together with Jollibee mascot. 
A happy meal
Sadness has no place during that day, everybody are happy.
A gift from Joliibee
Their good natured smile from the beginning till end of the events is a good potential that there's a  good life around. It lift a person spirit to a new phase of their life because they learned that they are important and special.
Behind all this enjoyment, there are some story that almost broke the heart of the volunteers when their whole day bonding getting deeper. The volunteers found out, that this young people have a  dreams that they want  to fulfill in their life... but they are incapable of their dreams, not only because of their status in life, not because of the race and culture as the form of  comparison and a reason why they are  marginalize, but because of limited knowledge that  they learned. Their school is not either a formal learning school accredited by DEPED, it is only a DSWD Day Care Center, with only an integrated learning system focusing basic skill only, like reading and writing. They learned a repeated lessons over and over again and again, that will never improves their educational level. There's no road to continue improvement towards exercising self determination and gain opportunities into their future.
Our two scholar.

With the help of their teacher, teacher Aileen, a volunteer teacher, in Sitio Bulak, they are sent in  town proper to continue their study in grade school. Luckily they are promoted into grade 3. They received allowance from the personal pocket of teacher Aileen of Php. 100.00 per week, a total of PHP 800.00 for the two kids in a month,  all in for their foods and their other necessities. When we learned this, Akyat Aral took over the responsibility for this two children. we feel so pity for them as well as to teacher Aileen. We know  how small the salary of teacher Aileen. Teaching the Dumagat with a little less school supplies, travelling the treacherous road going up to Sitio Bulak is already a big sacrifice but to spend more for the children is too much sacrifice for her.

.  Its a long journey for the two scholar but we know that despite of the difficulties they have chances to improve their life, because there are somebody who stand for them. This is our mission, to give hope for the children.
They may have less knowledge but their smile give them a brighter future because their spirit elevate for a new dreams. This maybe what they want and they have to work out for this through studying well. 

Time come that the said tour ended, we depart to each other. and say goodbye. The day was a great and memorable, both for the children and the Akyat Aral volunteers. This  is not the end of everything, instead this a new beginning. The project successfully stimulates a sense of pride, with this children. Learning to value their self is enough to raise up their new aspiration.


Our volunteering experience made us realize tons of great things about life. We learned a lot from them and will definitely do it again and again in servicing the less fortunate children, In God grace. 


Special thanks, to all sponsors and, donors, your help is a great pleasure in everyone of us. 
To all volunteers maraming salamat po, for assisting and giving them a measurable experience by handling  the power of change in their young mind. 



Anyone can sponsor a dream or donate for a cause. Akyat Aral dream come true's mission
 to promote and enrich lives of the less fortunate children. Our grassroots organization was founded by a vision. A vision to help children as well as their families.
Help us to make their dream come true.


In kind and cash donation accepted

 For cash donation, you may deposit cash donation on our official bank account. 

For other forms of donation, please visit our face book account and send us a message


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Akyat Aral may not feed thousand of children, but our volunteer  feed one is good enough to uplift one life.

May God Bless Us All....