Editorial - Community service

First it was Efren Peñaflorida, whose method of teaching street kids earned him the CNN Hero of the Year award. Now, a Visayas non-government organization gained worldwide attention for its innovative service to the community.

The Alternative Indigenous Development Incorporated (AIDFI) based in Bacolod City won the BBC World Challenge 2010 for its innovative way of bringing water to remote villages through a hydraulic ram pump.

On its way to the $20,000 top prize, AIDFI bested 800 other projects from countries around the world. Entries from Pero and Guatemala came in second and third respectively.    

The BBC award was actually the second international recognition for AIDFI. Last month, its “Running Water Uphill” won the Community Initiative Award of the Energy Institute Awards held in London.

So far, the group, which was founded in the 1990s, has already developed 15 technologies. Its hydraulic ram pump project has already been adopted in nearly 170 villages in other countries.    

It’s good to hear Filipinos being recognized globally for their efforts to improve the community. Although AIDFI is headed by Auke Idzenga, a Dutch development worker, it’s safe to say the success of the group can largely be attributed to its Filipino workforce.    

What Peñaflorida and AIDFI had shown to the world is something that every Filipino should be proud of. Their stories only manifested the fact that the world can count on Filipinos in the field of community development.

This is not to belittle the achievements of Manny Pacquiao, Charice, Lea Salonga, Efren Reyes, and others. Their exploits have been a showcase of Filipino world-class talents.

But the stories of AIDFI and Peñaflorida are rare. For they have stirred global consciousness that Filipinos can be leaders as far as the field of community service is concerned.