A global volunteer group recently reached out to children in a Benguet school to provide fun and advocate environmental awareness in observance of the International Volunteer Day (IVD).

Volunteers from Australia, America, and Korea, in partnership with Child and Family Service Philippines conducted environmental awareness activities to more than 200 children at the Beckel National High School, which was chosen as venue for the Environmental Awareness Education Day of the IVD organizers. The day began with environmental fun and games, provision of three educational modules on solid waste management, making compost, and raising awareness about water pollution.

A Christmas decoration making contest was also held, where the materials used are made from recycled materials. The winning decorations will be displayed at SM City Baguio for one week from Dec. 14.

Winners received P4,000, which will be used for the beautification of the school. “This is very timely,” said Beckel Annex head teacher Johnson Legaspi.

“Our school is only three years old and we are utilizing the efforts of our students, parents and community volunteers to make our school a better place for our children to grow and learn,” he said.

This year’s global theme for the IVD observance is “Volunteering for our planet.” The activities planned for the Philippines are focused on raising awareness on climate change and environmental issues, and to inspire action from the people.

Joselito De Vera, executive director of the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency said,  “International Volunteer Day is one of our major activities to celebrate the National Volunteer Month in December, where we recognize the contributions of volunteers to society and heighten public awareness on volunteerism.”

Rebecca Wells, Australian VIDA volunteer working with the Baguio Center for Young Adults, said, “Environmental education is vital to ensure that our young people are aware of their responsibilities and their rights when it comes to environmental issues. To see the smiles on these children’s faces despite their recent hardships is so heart-warming for us volunteers.”

Efren Cabbigat, program specialist at Child and Family Service Philippines, said, “This event is a continuation of the work we do with the youth organizations in Beckel – Youth Fighting Crime and   IB-A (Brother-Sister) Youth Organizations. It’s about bringing back the respect of young people to become concerned with and more accountable to the community. This means being environmentally responsible and aware enough to avoid crimes against the community and to teach their fellow youth to do the same.”