Early this year, volunteers from Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines traveled more than three hours through mountain roads to bring 2,500 banana seedlings to farmers in Brgy. Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte. This was an effort to help farming communities improve their livelihood and drive for self-sufficiency.
Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines volunteer Nelson Chua leads a banana planting activity in Brgy. Sto. Niño, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, among programs to provide livelihood support in poor communities.
Nelson Chua, leader of Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines – Davao volunteer group, also accompanied farmer families in planting 11,851 bananas in 52 hectares of land. His decade-long volunteer work with Tzu Chi Foundation started in 2012 when Typhoon Pablo devastated farming towns in Compostela Valley and Davao del Norte. He shared that material wealth can never replace the fulfillment gained from seeing the smiling faces of the people they were allowed to help.
Nelson considers this his motivation in ensuring regular interactions and cooperation with members of Brgy. Sto. Niño. He along with his fellow volunteers are optimistic that the farmers can enjoy a bountiful harvest and have a promising future ahead of them with the foundation’s assistance and facilitation.
The Davao del Norte Banana Planting Livelihood Project is one of two new Tzu Chi Foundation programs that aims to ease situations of those most vulnerable in society through humanitarian assistance, education, and livelihood creation. Likewise, their other project aims to support youth education towards employment in Zamboanga.
Tzu Chi Foundation, a Taiwanese humanitarian organization with presence around the world, has been in the Philippines for 27 years, working in disaster-stricken and impoverished areas. The organization is a major partner of Globe in implementing community programs to address involuntary hunger and poverty, together with Ayala Foundation and Caritas Philippines.
Tzu Chi Foundation aims to reach over 4,000 families in the poorest communities through their community programs in Mindanao as well as Metro Manila by providing them with food assistance, sustainable livelihood, and employment opportunities.
“One of our advocacies is to put compassion into action. We strive to be present in communities where help is direly needed, and we ensure that we add as much value to the lives of the families we support. We hope that our partnership with Globe would allow us to achieve greater impact and reach more communities,” said Henry Yunes, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines.
Globe, through its Globe of Good program, enables an ecosystem of multi-sectoral partners to help alleviate involuntary hunger and foster inclusive economic growth through digital volunteerism, value chain integration for smallholder farmers, sustainable livelihood initiatives, and employment opportunities.
“Globe brings together families, businesses, and organizations to ease poverty and hunger. By leveraging technology, Globe of Good is our platform to inclusive recovery from the pandemic by providing disadvantaged Filipinos the support they need,” said Yoly Crisanto, SVP Group Corporate Communications and Chief Sustainability Officer at Globe.
The company also rallies its customers to raise funds for hunger alleviation and livelihood interventions for families in need of support. One of these is the Globe Rewards Donate program.
Customers who would like to do their share in helping communities affected by the pandemic can donate their Rewards points that will expire on March 31, 2022. For as low as one Rewards point, they can already give to any organization supported by Globe of Good.
To donate, go to the Rewards section of the new GlobeOne App, click the “DONATE” icon, choose Globe of Good and corresponding denomination, and then press “REDEEM.” A confirmation message will be sent by 4438 upon successful donation.
Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, highlighting the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. It is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributing to 10 UN SDGs.
To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.