2018 NEXTGEN Fellow Camillo Geaga was inspired in more ways than one. He completed his Associate Degree at the Los Angeles City College and plans to continue his education at the California State University Northridge and attain his bachelors degree in Public Health. His mother, Vicky Geaga was also inspired to encourage her friends and family to give to the foundation.
Filipinos in the diaspora send over 4.8 million “balikbayan” boxes full of goodies to their relatives and friends back in the Philippines, becoming a billion dollar industry. But balikbayan boxes became more than that – it became a symbol of Philippine colonial history and Filipino ideas about family.
In 2013, Bayanihan Foundation has partnered with with Visayas Mindanao People’s Resource Development Center (VMPRDC) and planted over 30,000 mangrove seedlings in Liloan, Cebu. In 2018, some of the seedlings have matured into mangrove forests protecting fish, wildlife and help local fisher folk community. However, challenges remain and support needs to continue.
Bayanihan Foundation launched NEXTGEN ‘Balikbayan Box’ Book Drive with plans to send 3,000 books to Samar and Iligan and build libraries there. Filipino American kids also put together mini-balikbayan boxes of book & supplies, hopefully spurring others to donate and help support education and long-term sustainability.
Bayanihan Foundation makes a difference by providing clean water for children in the remote village (barangay) of Salvacion, Samar
For 2018, the Bayanihan Foundation would like to invite you to join us in a yearlong activities of promoting diaspora philanthropy and giving.
Bayanihan Foundation is making impact – planting seeds of change, nurturing leadership. 100% of the foundation’s income comes from individual donors like you. 97% goes directly to programs. Donate online at http://www.fdnbayanihan.org
Bayanihan Foundation demonstrates the traditional value of kawang gawa, helping others
The Filipino ritual of pasalubong, a souvenir or a gift given to someone and bayanihan (helping each other) could not be squelch and perhaps provide hope and renewal in the age of Trump.
The World Economic Forum reported that 8 out of 10 top cities most exposed to natural disaster are in the Philippines. The biggest typhoon, Haiyan struck the Philippines in 2013, leaving more than 7,000 people dead or missing. Can civic involvement, volunteerism and diaspora philanthropy help the Philippines in disaster preparedness? Or should donors should just wait to react and donate afterwards when the crisis hit?
