This previous April, our crew had the unbelievable alternative to journey to Bohol for an Insider Journey with Development for Rural Children (ARK). Witnessing firsthand the transformative work of ARK Solves and experiencing their Feed Again Program in motion was actually inspiring.
ARK co-invests alongside communities who wish to remedy meals insecurity, well being, earnings, and a create a sustainable future. Their confirmed method, the Feed Again Program, is a 16-week market-driven initiative that empowers communities to realize these objectives:
- Sustainable backyards: Offering households with a sustainable supply of meals.
- New earnings sources: Producing earnings by the sale of surplus produce.
- Stronger communities: Constructing a way of neighborhood by shared planning and implementation.
- Lengthy-term self-sufficiency: Empowering communities to realize self-reliance by domestically produced meals and potential new companies. (Useful resource: https://good-search.org/about/en/challenge/ark/)
The ARK crew, led by Ayesha Vera Yu, the visionary chief behind ARK, went above and past to weave us into the very cloth of this system throughout the Insider Journey. Witnessing Feed Again Program in motion was eye-opening. Language boundaries melted away as we embraced Ayesha’s name for open hearts. We had the privilege of interacting with the superb ARK Crew, ARK Companions, and Feed Again associate communities and listening to their tales of overcoming starvation and constructing a future by this program.
Our expertise wasn’t confined to assembly rooms. We ventured into the guts of this system – the communities themselves. In Cagawasan, a coastal village, we have been impressed by the Barangay council’s unwavering dedication to this system (A barangay is the smallest unit of native authorities within the Philippines. It features equally to a village, district, or ward in different nations.) Regardless of political variations, they ensured it continued, reaching a record-breaking variety of households within the newest wave.
Poblacion, one other coastal neighborhood, impressed us with their resourcefulness. Frequent flooding didn’t cease them from rising greens. They bought inventive, and upcycled planters out of every thing from fridge containers to footwear, making certain their produce stayed excessive and dry!
Past showcasing this system’s impression, the ARK crew supplied a glimpse into the great thing about Bohol. A ship trip alongside the gorgeous Inabanga coast offered a welcome change of tempo, permitting us to attach with nature and recognize the communities we have been visiting.
On Day 2, we labored alongside neighborhood members to know their challenges. Collectively, we exchanged concepts for options. It was inspiring to see their voices take heart stage as we brainstormed methods to sort out their most urgent wants. This collaborative method is what makes ARK’s work so impactful—communities are empowered to search out options that work finest for them.
The day’s learnings and immersion culminated in a scrumptious meal that introduced everybody collectively. This neighborhood dinner, ready particularly for us, offered the proper alternative to share meals, laughter, and tales with the individuals who encourage ARK’s work.
To this point, ARK Solves has already secured meals safety for 19,000 households, impacting 138,000 lives. Feed Again Program is in 8 provinces within the Philippines, and 77 communities have carried out it.
The ARK Insider Journey left us without end modified. We introduced again not simply tales, however newfound connections and a deep respect for ARK’s impression that extends far past the numbers. ARK empowers communities to grow to be beacons of self-sustainability, it’s about tapping into human connection and catalyzing a shift in conduct – a ripple impact that evokes others to comply with swimsuit. That is what actually units them aside.
We’re planning extra with the superb ARK crew, so prepare, B&P crew, it’s your flip to be impressed!
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ARK’s progressive and sustainable practices have garnered recognition from the Asian Improvement Financial institution and different organizations. Moreover, Ayesha Vera-Yu, the group’s CEO and Co-Founder, has acquired quite a few awards because of her management at ARK, together with the distinguished Younger International Chief designation by the World Financial Discussion board.
We encourage you to be taught extra about ARK Solves’ work and discover methods to help their mission. Go to their web site right here.
