As we quickly approach the middle of a seemingly quiet 2024, a lot has been brewing in HAPI’s chapters behind the scenes. Let’s find out what three of those chapters and their volunteers have been up to since the beginning of the year!
HAPI-Alabang has always been one of our most active chapters through the years. Last May 11, HAPI CEO Angie Driskell and HAPI Junior Ambassador AJ Zalameda visited them to discuss their current situation and observe firsthand their current obstacle – the removal of the railroad tracks in front of their homes in compliance with the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) project in Metro Manila.
Steel panels have now blocked off a once largely open space to mark the sides of the incoming railway project, creating limited space for vehicles to pass through and park. This has made it more difficult to deliver or pick up items needed in the community or for projects. Once the old train tracks were removed, this left large piles of debris and the area is now filled with broken slabs of concrete, remnants of where the tracks were once attached. Despite daily efforts to lessen the amount of trash piling up on mounds of dirt, this area is already roped off to avoid people entering or staying too long.
Sadly, the children who would once regularly participate in chapter activities are no longer able to do so since the NSCR project began. In response, AJ Zalameda presented the Alabang team with optional activities that the children could either do at their own homes or with minimal time outside near the home of the chapter’s Lead Convener, Liberty Dedicatoria. For now, the chapter has been advised to focus mainly on fundraising to better prepare for future projects in their community.
“The heat is also a factor we had to consider,” Zalameda said. “[That] and the trash and rocks would not be safe for the kids. Being outdoors would not be a good idea right now.”
Similarly, HAPI-Delarama has had to face dilemmas over this past year. Despite numerous efforts to try and conduct events in their area, there wasn’t a secure or large enough venue to accommodate the number of children who wanted to attend. There was also the issue of flooding when heavy rains would hit the metro. Their homes would sometimes be flooded with waters waist-high.
They, too, were paid a visit by Driskell and Zalameda on May 11. However, the meeting had to be held at a convenience store as it was difficult to find a place to hold the gathering. It was discussed with the officers of Delarama that for the remainder of 2024, they would allow their children to come to the home of the CEO and Junior Ambassador to conduct their activities. The parents were also invited to participate in meetings while their children would have their sessions. The former expressed that their children enjoy playing outdoors but the lack of parks in the area makes it inconducive; this was taken into consideration when planning activities for the kids. The officers were then given a similar list to the one presented to Alabang and included projects the children could do at home.
“We want them to know that despite these challenges, there are ways to keep going and that we are trying to help them continue what they started in HAPI,” says Zalameda. Driskell then advised the Delarama team to get the children settled into the new routine of weekly learning sessions before moving on to fundraising ideas. “Everything will fall into place once the regular schedules have been established,” said Driskell. “The parents can focus on their own fundraising projects before the year ends.”
The last visit made by Driskell and Zalameda was to HAPI-Bulacan on May 12. The chapter is thriving and doing extremely well, but it was important to still touch base with them and ask them how they are doing. Their reading room sessions have evolved and can now accommodate more children, but the true testament to how well they are doing is the obvious enthusiasm the children have to learn at the HAPI Headquarters regularly. There are ongoing projects that encourage the children to set goals for themselves, teaching them how to be more responsible.
The mothers are no exception when it comes to showing enthusiasm for what the rest of 2024 has in store for them. According to HAPI-Bulacan’s Lead Convener Susan Santos, “We were able to give each member five kilos of rice last December and everyone was so happy. This year, we increased the monthly contribution of each member so that by December we can hopefully give them more. They were already happy with what they received last year, what more if we [can] distribute ten kilos of rice this coming December?”
Drawing inspiration from HAPI-Bulacan’s progress after several attempts at different projects can truly help the other chapters. The lesson to be learned from their chapter is that not all attempts were successful and it took perseverance on the part of the officers and members to reach the level of success they now have.
We will learn more about what the other HAPI chapters are up to soon, so stay tuned for more updates!
