From late-August to mid-December this year, I will be volunteering in the Philippines with AFS Intercultural Programs who works in partnership with Siargao Environmental Awareness (SEA) Movement an NGO based in the surfing haven, Siargao Island. The sector of work focuses on environment conservation and sustainable living.

With this volunteering scheme, I want to help elevate the importance of environmental conservation in the Philippines. Over recent years, Siargao has gained a massive influx of tourists whereby the tourism industry is a source of livelihood for many. However, infrastructure for solid waste management is yet to match the growing demands on the island.

The projects I will be taking part in include:

-- increasing environmental awareness and education especially with the children and local businesses

-- ensuring local business are complying with existing environmental laws on the island. The local government have already taken steps to support this issue, it's also the case of normalising environmental responsibilities and sustainability amongst the general public. Siargao Island is an area of protected landscape and seascape so it comes with its own laws and regulations. Unfortunately, it’s the compliance to these laws that have proven to be the bottleneck.

-- empowering underprivileged women by initiating livelihood opportunities through making fashionable items from recycled materials.

-- help promote their brand SEAM where funds go towards supporting the organisation's projects. They sell tangible products that replace single-use plastic like plastic water bottles.

Waste management and pursuit for sustainable living

is something we follow diligently here in the UK because of the resources and awareness that’s been installed regularly. But in developing countries like the Philippines, the matter is unfortunately not fully acknowledged. So, I hope to use my insight as a tool to contribute to progressive change and to exercise this privilege in my own native country.

By creating the necessary awareness and education to the local communities,

we give them a voice and reignite the innate responsibility we all share for the planet as a whole.

We have already seen the rehabilitation of one of the most famous islands, Boracay and the inhabitants in Siargao are making great strides to make sure that doesn’t have to happen with their island. By campaigning for the cause, we're taking it one step closer to achieving one of their main long-term goals such as setting up proper waste segregation and management including:

-- Hazardous waste facilities

-- Recycling factory

-- Waste incineration power plant

-- Household food waste facilities

Without such facilities, businesses and the general public are more susceptible to issues like illegal dumping (as seen in fig. 2) leading to health and environmental problems ie. land, water and air pollution and diminishes landscapes for example.

I standby the hope SEA Movement envisions, that is

pushing Siargao Island as a leading example for sustainable living and tourism

in the country. Real change doesn’t happen overnight but to be able to lend a hand and contribute where I can would be an accomplishment in itself.

This opportunity allows me to actively contribute to sustainable change as well as providing an invaluable insight that will equip me with a newfound perspective and more motivation, as I plan to pursue further studies in the field. It will also benefit me in a deeper and more personal level; It’s a rekindling opportunity reminding me of my heritage and gain a refreshed outlook of my Filipino roots.

To sum it all, this experience would provide personal growth, a stronger sense of character and leaving with a renewed mind and more strive to live life with a purpose.

To solidify my commitment to the cause, I have recently completed the JCP Swansea Half Marathon as a fundraiser on June 23rd which, has been a challenging but a gratifying achievement for me. Any contribution would be really appreciated!

Thanks for sparing the time to read about the cause!

If you want to know more about the issue, Erwan Heusaff's video explains it well.