Human Nature helps raise funds for Marawi rehabilitation
More than 200,000 Marawi residents fled the city May last year as the fighting between government forces and rebels groups escalated.
While armed conflict ended last October, the bigger fight against hopelessness has yet to be won.
There are currently 51 evacuation centers filled with families whose homecomings remain uncertain. Unexploded bombs from military airstrikes are still being excavated in the 24 Marawi villages where fighting was heaviest. Dubbed as ‘ground zero’, many of the homes and establishments in the area are now bullet-riddled and defaced.
The HOPE Marawi Rehabilitation Initiative is part of a worldwide effort called PEACE Plan. Established by California-based Evangelical group Saddleback Church, the PEACE (Promote reconciliation, Equip leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick and Educate the next generation) Plan encourages and equips local Christian churches to respond to the needs of their communities.
“The survivors know that the homes and businesses they left behind have been totally destroyed,” said PEACE Plan Ambassador for Southeast Asia Kaka Constantino. “Many of the evacuees are Muslims and they asked us: why are you Christians here? Why are you helping? We told them, we just want to express our concern and love … for simple humanity. Now that the siege is over we are called to walk an extra mile.”
HOPE Marawi Rehabilitation Initiative is currently serving 165 internally displaced Maranaw families now based in Barangay Delabayan in the Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
The PEACE Plan initiative aims to build the New Hope Village, consisting of at least 100 houses.
Last March, Human Nature launched a new Goodness Rising effort to support the HOPE Marawi Rehabilitation Initiative. The company aims to build 50 houses of hope in Delabayan.
Goodness Rising is an employee-driven fundraising effort that began in 2013 during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. The initiative proves that no act of kindness is insignificant. To date, the combined efforts of Human Nature employees, advocates and customers has raised over P20 million in funding to help various causes.
In 2014, it helped build 100 houses for Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Tambulilid, Ormoc City and 20 homes for fisherfolks who were also affected by the typhoon in Cadiz Viejo, Negros Occidental.
In 2016, Goodness Rising funded the scholarships of 50 students of Gawad Kalinga’s School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development. The following year, it raised P7.5 million in funding to build 50 homes for families in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao.
Last February, Human Nature sent its first team of employees to Delabayan to participate in community-building efforts.
Helping Goodness Rise
The public can help Goodness Rising in three ways:
Buy Human Nature DEET-free Bug Shield products at theHuman Nature Mandaue Cebu Branch on A.S. Fortuna Street. All profits from the Bug Shield products will be given to Goodness Rising.
Buy limited edition stylish Gadget organizers and other special merchandise from social enterprise, Mori Notes, at Human Nature Mandaue Branch. All proceeds will also fund houses for the Village of Hope Marawi.
Get tickets for Goodness Rises, An Afternoon with Dylan Wilk, Social Entrepreneur and Human Nature CEO, on June 16, 2018 , 2:30 p.m. at the Michael Richartz Center, USC Talamban Campus.
All donations from this event will raise houses for the Village of Hope Marawi. Call Human Nature Mandaue Branch at 4109859/09228365442 for tickets and ticket reservations.
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