Tag: Sustainability

The GSF Village maintains being “Environmentally Friendly”.

The GSF Village maintains being “Environmentally Friendly”.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 10 Jul 2018
The families are so proud of their village and make a huge effort to keep it clean – recycling their waste and creating their own compost too. Another seminar from PENRO (Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Office) was held in the village to reiterate the importance of keeping the village eco-friendly. 
 
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Before the village opened, a Material Recover Facility was made by the fathers and mothers, and it has been a huge success. Every family splits their rubbish  into plastic, glass, and cans and once full it is then taken away and exchanged for money.  Already in a year, the recycling area is surrounded by well established plants which hide it well. 
 
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It was agreed in the last General Assembly that every block leader (every block of houses has a leader) will have their own tasks assigned to them.  They will be responsible for their houses rubbish disposal and cleanliness around the block. Regular meetings are held between the GSF Homeowner Officers and the Block Leaders for updates and concerns and making sure that everyone does their fair share of work. 
 
Last weekend, Blocks 6, 7 and 8 spent the day cleaning up their area. It is great to see all working together – mothers, fathers and children.  Ornamental plants were planted, any litter was collected and a general tidy up was done. These blocks have agreed that this will now be a weekly activity to maintain the tidiness. 
 
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A compost area has also been made by the fathers, which will be fantastic for the gardens in the future! This is located behind the MRF so all recycling, rubbish collection and composting is kept to one area. The new compost site  is split into two – “Madunot” which means decompose and “Hindi Madunot”, will not decompose.  One of the homeowner officers has arranged with a government official in Lemery, to borrow a dump truck, which will be free of charge and on the last Friday of every month will collect any rubbish that is “Hindi Madunot” to keep the area clean and tidy. 
 
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We are so pleased that we have a clean, environmentally friendly village. Everyone is making a huge effort to keep it that way and they are a true sign of a close community – all working together.   
 
 
 
 
 
Cherwin Pamplona weaves “Nito” baskets and food covers.

Cherwin Pamplona weaves “Nito” baskets and food covers.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 28 Jun 2018

We wanted to share with you, one of our fathers in the village who has been busy weaving baskets and food covers.  He has been gathering the “Nito Vine” which is a native wild vine found in the mountains and been weaving it into different products. He was telling us that you can make furniture out of the vines too – tables and chairs and in fact anything is possible! He has been selling his products at the market as an extra source of income.  Cherwin learnt to weave from his father when he was young and would like to teach others this skill.  

Nito vine (Lygodium circinatum) is a plant belonging to the fern family that grows abundantly in Mindanao in Southern Philippines. It is a vine growing as a secondary forest cover clinging to trees and rocks. This climbing fern is very common in the Philippines at low and medium altitudes.

The nito vine must firstly be gathered, then exposed to sunlight to dry. It does not need treatment like soaking or scraping to enhance its natural colour.

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The strip is taken from the innermost core of the stem, which is about the diameter of a pencil. The outermost layer of the stem has to be removed to get the strips. The raw strips are cleaned manually with a sharp improvised knife, taking at least two hours to clean a small bundle.

Nito weaving has traditionally been a source of community livelihood in the rural areas so it is great that one of our fathers is now doing this in the village. 

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The ‘Deploma Family’ have embraced village life.

The ‘Deploma Family’ have embraced village life.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 21 Jun 2018

THEN:

Before Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines in 2013, Analyn and Allan Deploma, and their two young boys were living a normal hardworking life in Barangay Capinahan, near the primary school.  Allan was a construction labourer and Analyn a full time housewife. 

On November 8th, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan (locally known as Yolanda) changed direction and was now heading towards them, they had no time or choice but to evacuate out of their house.  Analyn’s elderly mother also lived next door and they had to get to safety.  Sadly that night, the Typhoon destroyed everything in it’s path – including their home. The noise of the wind and debris flying around them was terrifying. They didn’t think they would survive huddled in the shelter that they had gone to. 

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In the months that followed, they slowly began to rebuild their home made of wood and tin materials that were scattered as far as the eye could see.  Eventually Allan returned to work, life was really hard – roads were destroyed by the fallen trees and mudslides, so getting anywhere was difficult. Analyn and her two young boys stayed at home until the roads were finally reopened and they could return to school. 

NOW:

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And Now, nearly five years later – Life couldn’t be better for them. They are all so happy living in the village and have made their new home so beautiful. Inside is just immaculate, and outside there are flowers and vegetables growing everywhere. The plant pots are recycled bottles, car tyres and in fact anything that can hold water! 

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Analyn is very active in the village – she helps in any way she can. She was the president of the PTA (last school year) 2017-2018 and is now the secretary of the GSF Homeowners Association.  She also runs a stall at the Talipapa market selling houseware, beauty products and cosmetics. 

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Allan is one of the Block Leaders in the village so he oversees all the houses that fall into his area. During construction of the village he was the warehouseman overseeing the materials coming into the site. He has now returned to being a labourer. 

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 And… the two boys are now 13 and 8, and both doing so well at school attending every day.  The students from CPU that come to the village every week, to give extra tuition to all the children have taken a shining to the youngest little boy. He is an entertainer and loves to dance! 

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It has taken five years to turn many of these families lives around but we are getting there. The homes are built – and the families are living happily in them. Now we want to make sure that every family is sustainable, is part of a livelihood programme, and that every child in the village has a full time education.  

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The future of this village lies with them. heart

 

Three new teachers to join our Capinahan School.

Three new teachers to join our Capinahan School.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 13 Jun 2018

We are delighted to announce that due to a huge rise in enrolment figures from 20 to 80 children, at our newly refurbished Capinahan School, we have secured an additional 3 teachers with the Department of Education.

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Amy and the GSF team met with Celisa Beriong – OIC Division Chief Superintendant who oversees all 900 Iloilo Junior schools and 115 Secondary Schools, Gilbert Solidum – Division Head for School Governance and Operations and Juan Tamano – Supervisor in School Operations. They discussed the needs of GSF village and Capinahan Barangay in general in respect of the school and agreed that more than one teacher was now needed.  Both GSF and the Department of Education will enter into a partnership to improve the school in the future. Norma Palmejar (on behalf of GSF) will sit on the school council to ensure input and will have an oversight on the school governance. 

This is such a fantastic step in the right direction for the children. The longer they are able to stay in full time education the better and having 3 extra teachers will now ensure this happens.  Thank you to the Department of Education for your time and helping us give the children the best start in life. 

We must finally say a huge thank you to Gabriella Tilbury who kindly donated her birthday money towards the tables and chairs in the school.   heart

If you would like to help the future of the GSF children by donating please do. Every bit helps. Thank you. 

Ric Patricio holds a ‘Wash Seminar’ in the village.

Ric Patricio holds a ‘Wash Seminar’ in the village.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 12 Jun 2018

A week after the transfer of the Living Water Treatment System (LWTS) from the town hall of Lemery, to the village, Ric Patricio held a ‘Wash Seminar’ for the beneficiaries. 

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He taught them about safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as well as to make them aware about the availability of safe water for everyone in the community.

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The seminar covered topics on how water gets contaminated, how microbes get into the stomach, how water can be purified and treated using the LWTS, how to store treated water in containers, how to wash hands properly, and how healthy hygiene and sanitation behaviours can protect everyone from upset stomachs.

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Ric’s future commitment is to hold other community-based training not only on WASH but also on emerging and sustainable technologies to help ensure food security in the village. 

Mushroom Farming in the village.

Mushroom Farming in the village.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 7 Jun 2018

Thirty five beneficiaries from the village attended a training seminar on Mushroom production, that was held at the Integrated Research Centre Regional Office of the Department of Agriculture in Iloilo. 

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The seminar taught the beneficiaries how to produce mushrooms using the materials and land that they have available at home in the village. Part of the lecture included propagation and the process on how to do it from start to finish, each taking it in turns to have a hands on go!

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After a break for lunch it was back to the afternoon session where they were taught how to make “Mushroom Ice-cream”. They all got a taste and it was delicious – something new to make back at home. 

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Before leaving, every beneficiary was given a starter kit for mushroom production so once they are back they can start straight away.  They were told to expect to be able to harvest mushrooms after 3 months.  Another great source of food and income for those that sell their produce. 

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The Department of Agriculture will do a site visit after 4 months to check the progress of the mushroom growing and then the beneficiaries hope to attend a second seminar in November about mushroom packaging, marketing and other strategies on mushroom products. 

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We are so pleased that another means of farming has been introduced into the village and over a short time can be sold at market too!

 

 

The hugest spring onions!

The hugest spring onions!

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 7 Jun 2018

We had to share this photograph with you, of one of our beneficiaries, with her home grown “spring onions!”  Nanay Nelia Adrigado, who lives in the village with her two children is a keen gardener … and it shows.   Nelia was walking past the GSF office – off to market to sell her onions when Alya our social worker spotted her and her produce! Neila has been growing vegetables and taking them to the market regularly now, to earn extra income for her and her two children.  Alya told us that she also sells “Puto Cheese” which is a rice cake and she is a great dress maker too. 

Just fantastic – well done Nelia, its a shame we are so far away in the UK. We would have loved to have tried them. heart

Our very own GSF Village ‘Flower show’.

Our very own GSF Village ‘Flower show’.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 23 May 2018

With the famous Chelsea Flower show happening in London this week, we wanted to keep the emphasis on flowers and other plants too.  Alya our social worker, took a little walk around the GSF village and has sent over the most amazing pictures of the village in full bloom – our very own “GSF Flower show.”

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It is nearly 6 months since the beneficiaries moved into the village and already they have so many different varieties of vegetables; long beans, eggplant, tomato, lady finger, papaya and leafy green vegetables, all of which are part of their daily diet.  Nothing goes to waste when growing their vegetables either – all the pots are recycled bottles, cans and car tyres which are all used as planters!

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Not only do they grow vegetables but also herbal plants such as the Moringa plant which can be used as a vitamin supplement and is amazing for cuts and burns too.

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The beneficiaries have really looked after their gardens and it really shows – the produce looks fantastic.  We mustn’t forget that they are in the middle of summer too, so all the watering must be hard work to maintain such healthy crops.

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The provincial government have a program in place called “Laswa sa lamesa” which means every table must have vegetables during meal times and every household must plant vegetables for their own consumption.  It is a great way to encourage the children to eat healthily. Every family that plants vegetables receives a certificate from the Chief Captain of Barangay as an incentive to grow their own produce. 

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The village has come a long way in six months. To go from jungle, to bare land, to a building site, and now a thriving village.  A lot of hard work but look at the rewards.  Well done to all our families, we are so proud of you. heart

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Our agricultural consultant, Ric Patricio, talks about introducing purified water into the village.

Our agricultural consultant, Ric Patricio, talks about introducing purified water into the village.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 21 May 2018

THE GSF VILLAGE MOVES INTO BECOMING WATER-SECURE, by Ric Patricio

In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (aka Super Typhoon Yolanda), there was a sudden spike in the incidence of water-borne diseases at the affected communities. Most of the water sources were contaminated either by the flood water, effluents from septic tanks and open dumps, and oil spills.

Some days after the typhoon left Philippines and caused 6,329 fatalities, damaged crops and properties worth USD4.55 billion, and rendered thousands of families homeless, outpouring of support from within and outside was unprecedented in Philippine history. From Water Missions International (WMI) came Living Water Treatment Systems (LWTS) worth USD8.0 million at USD100,000 per unit. The town of Lemery, Iloilo became one of the recipients of the gifts from WMI.

In the same town, the Greg Secker Foundation (GSF) was benevolent in building typhoon-resilient houses for the 100 survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. To ensure that potable water is available to each household, a water system consisting of a deep well, pump, pipes and fittings, water tank, and distribution lines were installed and operated. Without provision for filtration and chlorination, however, the piped water is not guaranteed as safe for drinking.

After observing that the LWTS in the town hall was no longer used, I arranged a meeting with Mayor Ligaya Apura. When a letter requesting for the transfer of the LWTS to the GSF village was personally presented to the Mayor, she did not interpose objection as she realized its exigent need in the village.

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On May 18, 2018, the LWTS was loaded onto the Local Government Unit truck and delivered to the GSF village. A location was identified where the LWTS was temporarily installed. As agricultural consultant (also country representative of WMI), I explained the manner of operating the unit to the GSF Project Manager, Coop President, and some village folks. After the inlet was attached to a pipe with running water and a chlorine tablet was placed inside the chlorinator and calibrated to 4 ppm (4 parts chlorine to 1 million parts water), purified and treated water was collected at the pipe outlet.

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If operated and maintained well, the LWTS will supply the village with good drinking water for the next 25 years. I have briefed the project manager on the need to have a protective structure and water storage tank for the LWTS. On May 25, 2018, I will conduct a WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) seminar for the village folks while a separate briefing will be made with whoever is assigned as operator of the LWTS.

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When the LWTS is fully functional, all the GSF village residents will be assured of continuous availability of purified and safe water, thereby making them truly water-secured.

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