Aklan Trekkers

Introduction:

Aklan TREKKERS (Traditional & Ridge-to-Reef Ecological Key Knowledge for Environmental Resiliency and Sustainability) is an NGO based in the province of Aklan on the island of Panay. This group of hikers and environmental stewards promotes environmental conservation and community development. One of their initiatives is to organize an annual hike to an upland barangay (town), and bring resources to the community as well as conduct trainings and discussions to learn how they can further help the community. 

What community need did I learn about?:

Each year Aklan TREKKERS organizes an outreach mission to connect and support a community that is isolated due to their location in the mountains of Aklan. This year in July, I was able to attend the three-day outreach mission to Barangay Yawan. During this mission, doctors provided check-ups, Aklan TREKKERS members conducted capacity building discussions, teachers hosted educational activities for the kids, military men offered haircuts for everyone and materials such as soaps, buckets, solar lamps, dry bags, clothes, and dry food goods were distributed to households.  

Why does the community have this need?:

I learned that, typically, these upland communities are composed of Ati people, an indigenous group that faces difficulties in the modern-day Philippines due to land loss and a lack of education.

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