Project Jomalig: Feed the Kids, Change the World

“If you can’t feed a hundred, then just feed one.” 

-Mother Teresa

In 2011, JourneyingJames partnered with fellow bloggers to share more than 50 running shoes to the young athletes in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.

In 2012, more travel bloggers and private companies supported the Book Sharing Project in Gubat where we helped the community build their elementary school library- giving them books.

This 2013, we are having another community development project dubbed:

“PROJECT JOMALIG: FEED THE KIDS, CHANGE THE WORLD”

Facebook note on how to join here: Project Jomalig

According to 2012 DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), Jomalig, Quezon tops the list of the “Malnourished Towns in the Philippines.” I quote what Dra. Ang (Doctor to the Barrio assigned in Jomalig) said, “Jomalig has been declared the most nutritionally depressed municipality in the whole Philippines. Top 1 according to National Nutrition Council (NNC) in malnutrition. More than 3 out of 10 are malnourished in the island.” Meaning the kids don’t get enough nutrition that they need.

The main reason: the town is hard to reach.

Jomalig is an island 5-6hours away from Real, Quezon. Going there, you have to ride a 3-hour bus from Manila, then board a 4-5-hour big boat from Real to Patnanungan island then from their charter a smaller boat to reach the island of Jomalig- for less than 2 hours depending on the sea and weather condition. To describe it in Tagalog, “dulo ng Pilipinas.” If you are lucky, their are big boats that go directly to Jomallig but just like other far islands, schedules depend on the locals’ movement.

Leon, Janeca, Donna (friends who helped in Book Sharing Project in Sorsogon) and I went there last December 14-16 to have an ocular inspection and interview some locals. We want to see for ourselves what we can do to help Jomalig. I was ready with all my camera and HD video but shit happens- my video files got corrupted while we were transferring it to my flash disk. So all photos and videos were gone. 🙁  (I actually want to kick myself for this).

But there are 2 photos that I captured through my lenses that I will never forget:

1. Three barefooted kids, wearing dirty clothes were standing near the waterpump, all of them have bloated stomaches, one of them without pants. The other was crying while the youngest was playing with the dirt. A perfect portrait of children living apart from healthy conditions.

2. Four kids playing on the waves using a wooden bodyboard, probably from a chunk of wood. All of them smiling on every crashing waves.

So what now? Here are the initial plans:

1. We already partnered with the LGU and DOH in this project. I just talked with Dra. Rita Mae Ang who is a doctor to the barrio assigned and based in Jomalig yesterday. She said that according to their last survey the kids were showing good development in their health. The Mayor and the locals are also supportive of this project too.

2. We want to make people aware of the situation. I’m tired of seeing Tweets or Instagram of buffets or celebrations. There is this song that haunts me every time I think of Jomalig,

I see the kids in the street,
With not enough to eat
Who am I, to be blind?
Pretending not to see their needs

-Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror

Every month, we will bring people there. Help distribute goodies, food or whatever that can help the community. We want to educate the mothers and give livelihood projects to their parents. All of these are on the works and we welcome everyone’s suggestion. We need help and a team of committed volunteers. I’m just a simple travel blogger, I just want to make people know what’s there but with regards to community development, I’m sure there are lots of people who are more knowledgeable than me. So if you are passionate and committed to do something that can change the world, welcome to the team.

3. We want to help out not just once but for 6 months. We plan to visit the island starting April until September. With the ff schedules (all Friday-Sunday):

As of today, we have brought atleast 50 volunteers to the islands since we started going to Jomalig last April-August. The last visit would be on September 13-15 (40 slots)- HOW TO JOIN? Read https://journeyingjames.com/2013/04/project-jomalig-report-and-updates/

Since going there is really hard and depends on weather condition- (we should seize the Habagat season). Check your sched and instead of going to Boracay to party, maybe it would be better to do some help, something that will echo in eternity and not just on the dance floor. Maybe the schedule falls on your birthday or monthsarry or your dog’s bday. Why not instead of celebrating it with friends, use the money to make a difference? Possibilities are limitless.

4. We want to bring tourist and travelers and promote Jomalig island as a tourist destination. Jomalig boasts of powdery white sand beaches, beautiful coastlines, surfing, bird-watching, spectacular rock formations and many more. You see when people have other forms of livelihood like tourism, it will greatly help them providing for their families.

5. Add anything you think can help the situation there. As I said, possibilities are endless.

___ ___ ___

So, there. We will go there on the ff dates:

June 14-16 (20 slots)

July 12-14 (20 slots)

August 16-18 (20 slots)

September 13-15 (20 slots)

If you think you are free, please come with us. I want to bring people to the maximum of 20. Itinerary below:

Facebook note on how to join here: Project Jomalig

DAY 1 (Friday)

3:30am Meet at Raymond Bus Terminal at Legarda St., Manila
4:00am Leave for Real
7:00am Breakfast at Real
9:00am Board Boat to Patnanungan, lunch on board
3:00pm Arrive at Patnanungan, then ride a boat to Jomalig
5:oopm Arrive at Jomalig Quezon, rest
7:00pm Dinner at Jomalig
9:00pm Rest

DAY 2 (Saturday)

AM: Visit Communities, Feeding Program
12:00nn Picnic Lunch on the beach
PM: R & R

DAY 3 (Sunday)

7:00am Breakfast
8:00am Go to Patnanungan
11:00am Go back to Real, Quezon, lunch on board
5:00pm Arrive at Real
5:30pm Early dinner or merienda
6:00pm Go back to Manila
9:00pm Arrival in Manila

 

Budget: Not more than Php3,500/person (All-in transportation from Manila and back, food, boat fares, accommodation in Jomalig, Php500 will be used to buy food and necessities to be given to the community we will visit).

How to Join?

If you want to join the trip, please contact me at 0926-745-0858. If you want to donate something, you can do that on the next scheduled trips- June to September.

Facebook note on how to join here: Project Jomalig

 

FINAL CHALLENGE:

You and I only get to live and enjoy life here on earth once. I wanted my life to make sense in eternity and I’m pretty much sure you too. So I’m inviting you in this kind of project. This is also the main reason why I got into Tour Organizing– I wanted to be able to give back to the communities that needed them the most.

As my beginning quote suggests, I wanted to feed as many kids as possible and hopefully take away Jomalig on top on “Malnourished Towns in the Philippines.” But I can’t do it alone. If I have the money to feed all the kids there, then I would not be blogging this anymore. So, I’m starting with just one kid. If it would be a success then in my own little way, I helped change the world for the better. And I’m sure people would follow suit.

You have supported us in the Shoe-Sharing Project in 2011, Book Sharing Project in 2012, now we are knocking on your good hearts again to Share Yourself- participate in “PROJECT JOMALIG: Feed the Kids, Change the World.” 

Thank you very much and may God bless your good heart. If you are a traveler, then you can change the world. 😉

 

FOR THE LATEST UPDATES, PLEASE READ HERE: https://journeyingjames.com/2013/04/project-jomalig-report-and-updates/