Seventeen millennial volunteers from across the country showed passion, determination and courage in joining the recent “I am MAD (Making A Difference) Camp” 34th outreach program in Zamboanga City.
Despite the crossfire gripping Marawi City and the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the volunteers spearheaded the distribution of “Bag of Dreams” gift packs of school supplies for 73 school children of Muruk Elementary School in Brgy. Upper Pasonanca, about 13 kilometers from Zamboanga City proper.
The three-day camp gave both the volunteers and kids time to interact through educational and entertaining activities.
These included the “Share Your Dream” getting-to-know-you session, team-building, storytelling, games, arts and crafts that promote the organization’s four key advocacies anchored on the Department of Education’s core values—love of God (maka-Diyos), love for others (makatao), love of environment (makakalikasan), and love of country (makabayan). All these are integrated in the ten “I am MAD Commitments.”
To support the program, I am MAD Zamboanga chapter, led by Meryl Hilda Jalani, raised P60,000 by selling school supplies and holding a mini-art exhibit months before the actual camp. A portion of the proceeds was also shared to evacuees from Marawi City.
“We actually thought of cancelling the camp in Zamboanga,” said Mark Conrad ‘Maco’ Ravanzo, CEO and co-founder of I am Making a Difference, Inc.. He noted it was his first time to experience martial law like the rest of his fellow volunteers.
“But our hearts told us not to. I believe that it was the best time to be there, it was the right time to show what we millennials can do during these trying times and during martial law. It was the perfect time to let Mindanaoan people, especially the kids, to feel that people care, and that they are truly loved and there is still hope,” the 28-year-old Lamitan, Basilan native added.
The volunteers also had a chance encounter with Zamboanga City Mayor Beng Climaco after the group’s “MAD Talks,” a forum on volunteerism with the local youth leaders at the city hall. The mayor reassured the group’s safety while the Task Force Zamboanga, led by Col. Leonel Nicolas, provided further assistance.
Despite the turmoil in the region, the group remained steadfast to help bring positive change. Third-year IT student Damhar Pahalawan proves to be a testament to I am MAD’s thrust and collective actions. Pahalawan was a student-beneficiary and scholar of the group on its first ever outreach activity in Lamitan in 2010.
After seven years, the student from Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City paid it forward by celebrating his maiden volunteering task with I am MAD. The group considers Damhar’s recent participation as its first success story for a beneficiary turned volunteer.
Established in December 2009 as an SEC-registered volunteer organization, I am Making a Difference, Inc. is a 2016 TAYO Awards (Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations) winner for Culture and the Arts, Peace and Humanity.
I am MAD is a millennial-driven, non-profit group that aims to spread the passion of creating value and impact to the school-community by giving hope and showing love to children and youth.
The group is slated to launch similar camps in Cavite, Mindoro and Ilocos Norte later this year, after the successful staging of outreach programs in Romblon, Zamboanga and Guimaras.
I am MAD relies on the goodwill of people through fundraisers and the power of social media. For local community partnerships, interested volunteers and sponsors, send an email to iammadph@gmail.com.
You may also visit and like its Facebook page: facebook.com/IamMakingADifference or follow @iammad_ph on Twitter and Instagram.
