Rotary Year 2023-2024 | President Renny “Red” E. Domingo
In a significant effort to uplift the lives of deserving farmers in the Municipality of La Libertad, Negros Oriental, the Rotary Club of Marikina West (RCMW) embarked on a special initiative to donate carabaos, a vital asset for agriculture and livelihood, to qualified farmer beneficiaries. This project aimed to provide sustainable support and empower farmers, enabling them to enhance their agricultural productivity and improve their socio-economic standing.
The idea behind the project came from the heartfelt recognition by RCMW’s Past President Atty. Frank Levi C. Ugsad of the challenges faced by farmers, particularly in regions such as the Province of Negros Oriental, where agriculture plays a crucial role in the local economy. Recognizing the importance of these animals as both working companions and sources of income, the RCMW, in collaboration with its partners took it upon themselves to make a difference in the lives of farmers.
The planning, deliberation and sourcing of funds for this project began during the Imagine Rotary year 2022-2023 through constant coordination and collaboration with Tuburan for Rural Women Empowerment and officials of La Libertad Municipality, Negros Oriental.
To identify deserving farmers who could truly benefit from the donation of carabaos, factors such as economic status, dedication to farming, and the potential for long-term sustainability were considered.
On September 2, 2023, the carabaos were then handed over to the farmers in a ceremonial event organized and witnessed by members and officials of RCMW and Tuburan, officials of Negros Oriental Province, Municipality of La Libertad, residents and Barangay Officials of Mandapaton and Mambulod. The atmosphere was filled with hope and excitement as the families of farmer beneficiaries received the animals that would soon become integral to their farming endeavors. The joy and gratitude on the family farmer beneficiaries’ faces were truly heartwarming, reflecting the impact this gesture would have on their lives.
In his turn over message, RCMW Hope Creating President placed great emphasis on the importance of education and training to maximize the farmers beneficiaries’ utilization of the carabaos. He also stressed that to ensure the community will benefit from the project, the offsprings of these female carabaos should be donated to other farmers beneficiaries thereafter identified. To warrant the long-term sustainability of the project addressing the needs of other underserved communities, RCMW officers, Imaginative Amazing President, Hope Creating President, and the President Elect already committed to donate additional 10 carabaos to other communities to be identified by its partners. Similarly, to safeguard the long-term success of the project and create a lasting impact in the community, RCMW’s partners Tuburan and the Municipal Agriculture also organized workshops and seminars to educate the beneficiaries on effective animal care and management, ensuring the carabaos’ well-being, livelihood sustainability, and agricultural productivity.
Indeed, through this project, the RCMW in collaboration with its partners, uplifted the lives of deserving farmers, enabling them to build stronger and more prosperous futures. The project not only provided sustainable sources of income but also instilled a sense of hope and motivation within the farming community. The Rotary’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others was exemplified through this project, showcasing the power of collaboration, compassion, and the willingness to make a lasting impact.
By contributing to the betterment of the farming community, the RCMW in collaboration with its partners, proved that small acts of generosity, when carried out with purpose and dedication, have the potential to transform lives and CREATE HOPE for a more equitable society.
Venue: Barangays Mandapaton and Mambulod, Municipality of La Libertad, Negros Oriental
Number of Beneficiaries:
– Families of 10 farmer beneficiaries of Barangays Mandapaton and Mambulod, Municipality of La Libertad
– Officials and residents of Barangays Mandapaton and Mambulod, Municipality of La Libertad
Number of Volunteers: 6 Rotarians and 150 Non-Rotarians (members and officers of Tuburan for Rural Women Empowerment; Municipality of La Libertad Mayor Emmanuel L. Imay; officials of Negros Oriental Province; La Libertad Municipal Agriculture; residents and officials of Barangays Mandapaton and Mambulod, Municipality of La Libertad)
Rotary Showcase post and Facebook post
Online Media posts: NegOr Banat Balita, Negros Online Balita