Bayani Challenge 2014

WALANG IWANAN! HUHA! That was the words we kept on shouting when we are in Tanauan, Leyte for Bayani Challenge 2014. It is one of the project of a non government organization namely Gawad Kalinga. It is an annual 5-day test of endurance, courage, camaraderie, and love for country. Volunteers from different places in the country go on an adventure to work together towards the goal of expressing their love for their country and caring for the needy by building homes, repairing schools, medical missions, tree plating, paraisong pambata (activities for the kids) and many more. 

Photo collage of the different activities that we did during our 3-day stay in Tanauan, Leyte.

Supposedly we're going to stay in Leyte for 5 days but due to some problems we only stayed there for 3 days. But I can say that so far it was the most memorable, fulfilling and meaningful summer experience ever. I experienced a lot of unforgettable moments during the whole Bayani Challenge. That was my first time to ride on a military plane, it feels like you're riding in an elevator/Lrt train when you're inside the C130 and that was the most awesome 1 1/2 hour ride ever! \m/ The 6x6 military truck is our service whenever we will go to the build site in Brgy. Pago. We went to the beach to clean it and after that we swim and relaxed to relieved our tiredness.  I also manage to mixed and shoveled sand and gravel to help build the houses of the Yolanda survivors in Barangay Pago. It's also my first time to carry hallow blocks, bucket and sacks that is full of mud and sand. I was able to see personally the coconut trees, cornfield, rice field, houses and establishments that up until now is still destroyed, the children who are still in shock and trauma, the number of families that are still living in the tent houses inside the schools and covered court, the people who are experiencing hunger because of lack of food, and I heard different stories from the Taclobanons who experienced the onslaught of the killer Typhoon Yolanda. 

Even though I lack of sleep, loose weight, get my skin even darker, felt tired and feel pain all over my body, I don't regret anything and I will absolutely not repent everything that has happened in Bayani Challenge 2014. And I will surely and definitely Volunteer again next year. 

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." - Elizabeth Andrew