Live Your Purpose: Project Seeds of Hope
Photo credits to Live Your Purpose: Project Seeds of Hope official Facebook page
On April 25, 2025, Master in Education students at PhinMa Union College conducted an outreach program entitled “Live Your Purpose: Project Seeds of Hope” at Kabulusan Integrated National High School - Saray Extension situated at Barangay Saray in the remote mountainous area of Pakil, Laguna.
From the main road of Pakil, Laguna, an ascent to the mountain is necessary to reach the remote yet humble site of Saray. With travel time that extends up to 2 hours, the rough roads and the cliffs were additional to the challenge. Without regular trips, the only means of reaching the municipality and the neighboring locales are through motorcycles and privately owned vehicles. Even a regular jeepney cannot accommodate its full capacity due to the difficulty of ascent. Adding to the challenge is the loss of telecommunication signals and cellular phone connections due to an insufficient number and power of telecommunication lines. A helpful relief is the presence of StarLink connection, which was previously donated by a generous benefactor.
The mountains that cover the locality of Saray, on the other hand, have other ways of expressing their welcoming abode to those who have braved the challenge of witnessing the state of the area. Despite the lack of resources, the presence of a sea of clouds is visible in the early morning, accompanied by the mist, which seemingly welcomes non-locals. A proof of this welcoming presence is the emerging number of relaxation sites and recreational spaces, which, hopefully, in the coming time, will not tarnish the solemn atmosphere of the place.
The initial needs assessment of the PhinMa Union College students revealed significant challenges the school community faced, highlighting the dire need for basic resources to enhance their learning environment and overall well-being. Thus, the PhinMa Union College students devised a plan to gather their resources to alleviate the situation of the 43 students in Kabulusan Integrated NHS - Saray Extension.
The generous support of organizations and private institutions allowed them to donate footwear, school supplies, vitamins, medicines, first aid supplies, bottled water, solar-powered lights, a solar-powered generator, toiletries, and a water filter, to name a few. This, for all the people involved, is just the beginning of the project’s initiative to provide essential resources to improve the learning environment of its beneficiaries, support their health and well-being, empower the youth through educational and motivational means, foster a sense of community, and bring hope in that geographically isolated area.
Among the benefactors of this project are the Rotary Club of Pakil, Rotary Club of Pagsanjan, Rotary Club of Cabuyao Circle, Rotary Club of Pila West, EHome Improvement Center, DRS Accounting Services, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Children’s Clinic, Hawaki Riders Association, Onizuka’s Clothing, Siniloan Dental Club, Batang Bae, Vonwelt Nature Farm, Good Vibes Anonymous, Coolkaline Mineral and Alkaline Water Refilling Station, Aqua B Water Refilling Station, KatoTALK, Abraham’s Cuisine, Kato Homemade Pizza, IAM Worldwide Corporation, Daffles, Primera Clinica Multispecialty Clinic, and Concordian Signature Coffee, who have all made this program possible.
As more people get involved in this project, they also aim to provide livelihood opportunities to the community. For more information regarding their initiative, you may reach out to them via their official Facebook page or via email at reca.romposun.ucl@phinmaed.com .
