When we started TRails to Empower Kids or TREK in 2007, we were only fifteen mountaineers who went to Sitio Saybuan in Itogon, Benguet. Now, the number of our volunteers has multiplied tenfold, along with the amount of donations we have been able to provide to our beneficiaries.

Our recent outreach had the most participants ever. We thought about setting a limit to lessen the impact on the community and trail but decided to let everyone who signed up join and experience the joy of volunteering.

We took a five-hour bus ride from Manila to Barangay Antutot in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, followed by a 30-minute jeepney ride to the jump-off point. Some participants opted to start their trek from Barangay Antutot. From the jump-off point, it was another two-and-a-half-hour trek to the school.

The trail leading to Atan Elementary School in Barangay Runruno, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya, was long and difficult. 

The children and their parents, accustomed to the trail, managed the donations effortlessly and looked less worn out than we did.

Fortunately, the weather cooperated. In the past few weeks, the country had been grappling with heavy rains. However, on that day, we were blessed with excellent weather, featuring abundant sunshine and a cool breeze. We could imagine how slippery the trail might have been if it had been raining.

There's not much forest cover left in the trail that we passed. Most farmers here resort to Kaingin, which proves how difficult life is for the residents of Kasibu and Quezon.

We reached the school before lunchtime.

The Program

The students had already gathered on the school grounds, and some parents were busy preparing lunch for the students.

We immediately started unpacking our boxes to prepare for the turnover ceremonies. It was truly volunteering power at work. Most of the participants took the initiative and helped coordinate the program. Every station was bustling, with teams unpacking boxes, loading backpacks and loot bags, setting up solar panels, and decorating the area with our donations.

Some students observed us from outside the classroom windows while we arranged the donations, while others participated in our mini art contest organized with the help of their schoolteachers.

After about an hour, lunch was ready, and the parents started serving the students. We bought a native pig, which was cooked using the traditional way by their parents. They called it "wat wat," which is essentially boiled pork.

Following the meal, we commenced our program with welcome remarks from the school principal, Mario Manzano, and another school official, Virgie Aroco. Both expressed their gratitude to the group for reaching out to the students of Atan. They mentioned that it was the first time they had received donations for the school.

A local barangay official was also present, expressing initial apprehensions about the group's intentions, suspecting a connection to mining. After realizing that we were simply a group of friends wanting to help and reach out to communities, he conveyed his happiness over our decision to visit their place.

Their expressions of appreciation continued with local dances performed by the students and their parents. We felt fortunate to experience and witness these cultural performances.

Gradually, we could sense the students becoming more receptive to the guests in their village. We brought out our earthen jar and pabitins, introducing them to two traditional Filipino party games. Soon, we witnessed the kids smiling, giggling, and laughing.

After the games came the most awaited part of the program. All our volunteers lined up to pass the backpacks filled with school supplies to the students, while others guided them to an area where they could choose their new slippers, raincoats, and boots. We deemed it essential for the children to have these, considering that many walk for up to two hours just to get to school.

Then, it was an additional surprise for the students as we distributed loot bags filled with goodies from Universal Robina Corporation and toys from Pherica Corporation.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, we held a more formal turnover of the books donated by Diwa Learning Systems, the Bato Balani Foundation, and the Department of Education to the teachers and school principal.

For most schools in isolated areas, the responsibility of providing students with school supplies is usually shouldered by teachers. That is why Ma'am Virgie and all the other teachers are so thankful not just for the new set of school supplies but also for the other educational materials that will aid them in their teaching.

We felt and saw the joy and gratitude on the faces of the students and the teachers, conveyed through this simple piece: