You will never realize how blessed you are until you see how other people live.
It was February 2016 when the viral photo of a handsome and mysterious farmer from Mountain Province
Writing Finding Carrot Man Series, based on the viral Jeyrick “Carrot Man” Sigmaton gave me an opportunity to travel to Ogo-og, Barlig, Mountain Province and meet the people. Nestled in the Cordillera Mountain Range, Ogo-og is a beautiful baranggay but it would take more than sixteen hours from Manila by land vehicle and another two hours more or less by foot. Carrot Man is a resident of this place and I got lucky to visit this place several times.
Carrot Man's viral photo when photographer Edwina Bandong captured his photo while carrying a basket of carrots.
Ogo-og waterfalls and its freezing cold waters.
During Menaliyam Festival with Carrot Man and people of Ogo-og
Carrot Man with my books. The books tackle about the beauty of his town and it also show insights on how he struggled as a young man to provide for his family. His story is a reflection of the lives of the people in his community.
Mostly farmers, parents really strive hard to send their children to school. Some had to stop attending classes to help their parents in farms. I started coming here two years ago because of my book research. The people are kind and hardworking. The proof is that until now, their centuries-old rice terraces are still maintained. But their community is isolated because there is no direct public road to the village. It is also hard for the government to give them help because it is not easy to reach their place.
I started coming here two years ago because of my book research. And luckily, I was able to help with Cheerinatics (fans of Jeyrick Sigmaton and Chee-nee de Guzman who helped in discovering Jeyrick) when they organized their gift-giving last 2016.
Ogo-og Gift-Giving 2016 with Cheerinatics and Carrot Man
I was inspired to keep on helping the kids. On summer of 2017, I organized my own fundraising with the help of Precious Pages, its readers, and fans of Carrot Man. I sold some of my books and the income helped the logistics. The volunteers spent their own money to bring the donations.
Volunteers with Mayor of Barlig, Mountain Province and cultural head Sir Dionee.
We had to battle the high altitude, long journey to the community, cliffs, strong rains, muddy roads and long walks to the mountains. Everything was worth it when the kids greeted us with a welcome song and how their faces lit up as they welcome us.
Barlig Rice Terraces during one of the stopovers.
Volunteers walking to Ogo-og.
Finally after an hour or so of walking, we arrived at Ogo-og Elementary School.
We also heard the stories of the people of Ogo-og.Some parents didn’t finish school and some were lucky to even go to high school. And because life is not easy, one high school student asked for extra notebook. We only got extra noteooks for Grade 1 and he still took it. He told us that it is okay as long as he got something to use.
The nearest high school is an hour or two walk to the mountains. And experiencing it first hand when I first visited the community, walking on the rice terraces with pouring rain, these kids are survivors and really hardworking to accomplish such feat. But life is really harsh. And a little help could go a long, long way.
Volunteers, teachers and Daddy Melvin (Carrot Man's father)
With Carrot Man after the event.
For more photos during last year's gift-giving you can check it here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/FindingCarrotManPHR/photos/?tab=album&album_id=816591881827220
The event was a success and we would love to help some more. Hopefully not just the elementary kids but those in high school as well. Aside from school supplies and food for the kids, we will also buy teaching materials to help our teachers who painstakingly work hard to teach the kids. Hopefully it would also help with the volunteer's logistics.
Now, we are knocking on your kind hearts, Steemit friends. This June 1, we are leaving for Ogo-og to give gifts to these kids. Your donation help a lot with helping these kids to pursue with their studies and inspire them more to reach for their dreams.
With your help, hopefully we can reach out and help more kids in other communities in the future. We are targeting 100 students for now but we are hoping to get more.
You can donate the following:
Notebooks (Kinder to Grade 6)
Notepad (Kinder to Grade 6)
Pens, pencils, sharpener, rulers, erasers
100 long plastic envelope
100 scissors
ABAKADA booklet
Crayons
Box of chalk for teachers, manila paper, art paper, record book, pentel pen
Books for the library
Clothes, shoes and school bags
Cupcakes, tetra pack juice, biscuits, crackers, candies (target: 150 pax for children, volunteers, parents and teachers)
Bring them at the following Precious Pages Store and c/o to Sofia:
SM North EDSA (3rd Floor Main Building)
SM Manila (lower ground near foodcourt)
Precious Pages Camarin
Precious Pages Pasig (near Immaculada Concepcion School)
SM Calamba
SM Mall of Asia (near Starbucks IMAX)
Sto. Domingo across Angelicum College
SM Dasmarinas (SM Annex)
For monetary value, you can donate thru Steemit, BDO my Paypal. For inquiries, please send me an email at sofiaphr1@gmail.com or PM this page: https://www.facebook.com/FindingCarrotManPHR/. Bless your hearts, Steemit friends. Let's bring hope and smile to these kids.