2017 Outreach Program – Barangay Adlaon, Cebu City
Last 21 December 2017, the VBP Caring Kangaroos and VBP Trekking Kangaroos visited the remote town of Barangay Adlaon, Cebu City to conduct the company’s annual outreach program. It was a long way up to the mountains of Adlaon, taking almost 2 hours travel time along steep and narrow unpaved roads.
The Trekking and Caring Kangaroos chose this community mainly because of its location. Sitio Gubang Bukid, Adlaon is one of thousands of remote areas in the Philippines where residents face the daily struggle of poverty and lack of access to basic necessities, that includes support and resources for education.
With the town being secluded, students need to walk kilometers on rough terrain just to get to school. When it rains, it is more difficult because the path becomes slippery and muddy. They also have very limited access to school supplies and other necessities.
As VBP supports the importance of education, the community of Sitio Gubang Bukid has become the beneficiary of our most recent company outreach program. The goal of the activity was to provide 50 young students with complete sets of school supplies, clothing and other school necessities.
We arrived in Sitiong Gubang Bukid where the teachers and parents of the beneficiary students awaited to welcome us. Since the rain was pouring hard, we commenced the program, in a small chapel, with introduction of the staff and the Carney family. We facilitated a few games to entertain and warm the kids up.
When the sun finally decided to shine, everyone transferred outside where the residents initially had a set up for the activity. It was under a “tent” in an open area with a scenic view of the mountains. After enjoying the delicious meal provided by the staff, excitement filled the air as the kids fall in line to get their backpacks full of educational materials like notebooks, pencils, crayons, storybooks, raincoat, etc. Gratitude was seen in the children’s eyes and it was a heart-warming experience for the VBP staff to be able to make a significant impact to these kids’ lives.
The smiles in their faces were enough to tell how happy they were with the simple gifts they have received which in turn gives the company the sense of accomplishment and gratification.
In the years to come, VBP wishes to extend help to more people in need and support more valuable causes with the sole purpose of giving back to the community. It is the company’s social responsibility and is a good way to boost employee morale. Making a difference, contributing to the society and doing this together is a good way to build respect and strengthen relationships within the company. After all, this is the true meaning of one of VBP’s core values—One World, One Family Spirit.
