A couple of weeks ago my first big “event” as a PCV came together after only two months of planning with two nearby PCVs. Peace Corps approached us with funds ($200) for putting together an event in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps. We thought, why not make an event in conjunction with Global Youth Service Day (April 15-17) and integrate an environmental component since PCV Jon is a CRM (Coastal Resource Management) volunteer. After a little peaking around, we applied for the Disney Friends for Change grant, and got it ($500)! As busy PCVs, we hit the ground running with our delegated tasks. Even with a last minute change of venue, everything came together perfectly.
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| Mangrove seedlings! |
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| Youth & community members planting |
For Cebuano Youth Day Mangrove Planting, we engaged 87 youth-volunteers from Compostela, Danao, & Cebu City, Cebu Province, Philippines in planting 12,000 mangrove seedlings and completing a beach cleanup in Danao, Cebu on April 16, 2011 (Global Youth Service Day). We planned the event along with teachers from local high schools, my NGO, and the Danao Agricultural Office. Four other PCVs and twenty-five community partners participated alongside the youth volunteers including local government officials, Department of Education staff, and community members. Following the planting and beach clean-up, the youth participated in an environmental education session on the importance of mangroves in preserving marine biodiversity. Five team building activities, led by youth from my NGO, encouraged friendship and collaboration amongst youth from different municipalities. A processing activity about day’s events, in connection to the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps, promoted volunteerism and service learning.
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| Youth from Compostela picking up trash |
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| A view of a couple of the teambuilding activities |
I was beyond impressed with the hard work and dedication of the youth throughout the scorching hot morning at the beach. The youth only took a moment after the planting to sip water in the shade before they were running around the beach picking up trash. Everyone I asked said, quite genuinely, that they were having a great time. I believed it with their enthusiasm and wide smiles.
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| The whole group |
Peace Corps Washington picked up on the story and issued a press release. (Unfortunately, they only mentioned my name and Claire’s, even though Jon was also such an integral part in the event.) Still an worthy recognition.
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| Facilitators: Jon, Claire, and Me |
Hopefully we each can continue carrying out environmental activities at each of our respective sites and replicate the activity for the next GYSD.
12,000 mangroves, 720 pounds of garbage, 115 volunteers, three PCVs, two grants, and one awesome day!
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