MANILA, Philippines - It was a commencement of hope, innovation and new partnerships. The turnover of solar lamps to the residents of Ecoville Village was truly a metaphor for the progress of sustainable innovative solutions for the poor.
Hapinoy and Xavier University spearheaded a campaign to deliver light to hundreds of families devastated by typhoon “Sendong” in Cagayan de Oro. The Light for Ecoville campaign set out to raise funds to provide solar lamps for all 500 families who will be settling in Ecoville Village, Xavier’s relocation and resettlement project in Cagayan de Oro.
With the generosity of STEAG State Power, owner and operator of the Mindanao Power Plant, and the Ateneo Disaster Response and Management (DREAM) team, the campaign raised P600,000 in just one week.
Hapinoy facilitated the convergence of partners with the Ateneo de Manila Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral playing a significant role.
The Center for Agriculture and Rural Development-Business Development Services provided the solar lamps, which can also charge mobile phones.
Present at the turnover ceremony were Xavier’s chaplain and coordinator for Sendong operations Fr. Eric Velandria SJ; Carsten Evers, STEAG’s country manager and Bam Aquino, Hapinoy co-founder. Hapinoy Nanays Jane Enciso and Teresita Grefal gave meaningful messages of hope to the families in the relocation site.
After the Light for Ecoville campaign, Hapinoy and Xavier University will be working on a micro enterprise program for the newly constituted community.