Outreach at Pangweo Elementary School combines practical donations with games, food, and time spent with students
A 16-hour journey from Manila brought a group of RAK volunteers to Pangweo Elementary School in Barangay Laylaya, Besao, Mountain Province, where they spent a day giving children school supplies, essentials and plenty of reasons to smile.
On August 29, the volunteers arrived with donations from RAK’s sponsors, including school supplies, hygiene kits, vitamins, raincoats, snacks and other everyday essentials. The items were meant to support the children both in school and at home.
The afternoon also gave the students something that could not be packed into a donation box. Volunteers played games with them, shared stories and sat down for a meal of chicken and spaghetti.
For the children, the visit offered a break from their usual school day and a chance to meet people who had traveled from Manila to spend time with them.
RAK’s outreach work has grown from a community of outdoor enthusiasts who encountered remote communities through their climbs and saw opportunities to lend a hand. Over the years, the group has organized fundraising activities and outreach efforts in communities where access to basic needs can be challenging.
The Pangweo visit also relied on support from the local community. RAK thanked the school’s teachers and parents who helped facilitate the outreach, along with the Besao local government unit, which provided transportation and a driver for the trip.
The volunteers hope the children will keep studying and continue working toward the dreams they have for themselves.
A long trip can begin with something as simple as a decision to help. Groups of friends, schools, companies and organizations can create their own outreach efforts too, whether through donating supplies, volunteering time or supporting communities that need a little extra help. Sometimes, making a difference starts with simply showing up.
