At these trying times, the call for volunteerism is loud and strong not only for medical or military frontliners but even ordinary citizens who are willing to share their time, knowledge, skills, resources and even their posts in social media accounts.
In Albay, there is a group of young people who were already active in community service even before the COVID19 pandemic.
These groups already played a major role in boosting community involvement through agriculture because they were equipped with trainings from farm technologies to developing their leadership skills.
That is why, with the COVID19 pandemic hitting the whole world hard, these youngsters are taking the challenge and doing their own way to be of help to their community.
Groomed to be productive and responsible citizens, the 4H Club of Polangui led by youth leaders Gilbert Bolima, Jayel Sarcia, Lea Buere and Angie Largo volunteered to assist their barangays and municipality in any way they can.
Seeing the lack of manpower in the frontlines, Sarcia became part of their barangay frontliners and manned the barangay checkpoints.
He shared that as a volunteer, he realized the significance of community effort.
On the other hand, Bolima and Buere assisted their municipal government in repacking and distributing relief goods to the 44 barangays.
Buere said that this experience gave her the opportunity to experience real challenges and make meaningful contribution to the society.
Largo and fellow members of the 4H Club of Sta. Teresita prepared disinfecting solutions and printed COVID19 advisories which they have distributed to their community.
True to the principles of the 4-H Club, these youth are using their Heads, Heart, Hands and Health to do their share in helping their families and their communities cope and deal with the COVID 19 threat even under Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Even before the health menace struck the country, the members of the 4H clubs were already involved in farming particularly in fruit and vegetable production in order to have a regular source of nutrient-rich foods on their table.
Thus, in this time of Enhanced Community Quarantine, their families and communities have sources of food.
According to Bolima who is also the Albay Provincial Federation President of the 4H Club, the vegetable seeds that they have acquired from the Department of Agriculture and the Albay Provincial Agriculture Office and planted in their community and backyard gardens last year are now their food.
Aside from the vegetable seeds, the 4H Clubs in Albay were guided by provincial coordinator Grace Teaño and their municipal coordinators.
Bolima then urged his fellow youths to start learning how to farm and raise crops just like the 4H Clubs of Libon, Ligao City and Jovellar whose members are developing their planting and animal-raising skills while on ECQ.
Meanwhile, the 4H clubs of Bacacay and Legazpi City also volunteered in repacking relief goods.
They hoped that their simple act of repacking can ease the worries of ECQ.
During the distribution of Quarantine Pass, Vengie Cabria of 4H Club of Taysan in Legazpi said that as part of the barangay group, he was motivated how each member of the community would walk an extra mile withstanding the risk of contracting the virus and heat of the sun.
“Being a 4H club member was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life because I was given a chance to be a volunteer especially this difficult time. It awakened my sense of patriotism and service,” Largo shared. (jaysonmgonzales with photos from Gilbert Bolima)
Jayel Sarcia (right) works as barangay frontliner.
Lea Buere (left) assists in the repacking of relief goods.
Gilbert Bolima (third from left) distributes relief goods.
Angie Largo (center) prepares the COVID19 advisories from DOH-5.
Vengie Cabria distributes quarantine pass in Barangay Taysan, Legazpi City.
Members of 4H Club Bonga, Bacacay, Albay assist in the repacking of relief goods.
A member of 4H Club Libon checks on his vegetable plant.
Ligao City Federation President Noriel Borito (right) along with his small brother plant pechay in his home garden in Ligao city.
Albay 4H Club Provincial Federation Secretary and 4H Club President of Jovellar Kristuff Corbi prepares their communal garden together with his members.
Seeing the lack of manpower in the frontlines, Sarcia became part of their barangay frontliners and manned the barangay checkpoints.
He shared that as a volunteer, he realized the significance of community effort.
On the other hand, Bolima and Buere assisted their municipal government in repacking and distributing relief goods to the 44 barangays.
Buere said that this experience gave her the opportunity to experience real challenges and make meaningful contribution to the society.
Largo and fellow members of the 4H Club of Sta. Teresita prepared disinfecting solutions and printed COVID19 advisories which they have distributed to their community.
True to the principles of the 4-H Club, these youth are using their Heads, Heart, Hands and Health to do their share in helping their families and their communities cope and deal with the COVID 19 threat even under Enhanced Community Quarantine. Even before the health menace struck the country, the members of the 4H clubs were already involved in farming particularly in fruit and vegetable production in order to have a regular source of nutrient-rich foods on their table.