For almost two years, our Eco-Warriors in Barangay Jacana have been on a series of specialized modular classes on Solid Waste Management conducted by Project Zacchaeus with the guidance of experts from USAID Clean Cities Blue Ocean.
Our 60 Eco Warriors showing their Certificates of Training from TESDA and Eco Kolek
TESDA, through its Provincial Director Vivian Abueva enabled the training to be accredited as a community-based training program making our Eco-Warriors the first finishers of SWM in the Philippines.
TESDA Provincial Director Vivian Abueva delivering her message
"Masaya kami na ma-professionalize ang isang informal sector katulad ng ating mga Eco-Warriors at matulungan silang maging maunlad ang kanilang pamumuhay," mentioned by Director Abueva on her speech.
Pastor Joshua Buenaventura, Vice President for Research and Development of Life College and CEO of Champion Youth Philippines challenged the Eco-Warriors to be resilient in the midst of the challenging times today and to manage what God has given them.
It was a very challenging season during the COVID-19 pandemic and the destruction caused by the super typhoon Odette affected every household of the Samahan ng Mamamayan ng Jacana (SMJ).
Three of our Eco-Warriors rendering a special song.
However, those things did not cause the Eco Kolek program to stop, but instead, have made the team reinvent programs to make them more exciting and collaborative.
Nanay Pacita, at the age of 92, is still an active Eco-Warrior and is proud to wear her medal as a recognition of her dedication to Solid Waste Management efforts of Eco-Kolek.
"Salamat sa patuloy ninyong pagbabago upang mapalakas ang ating grupo, pagbutihin po natin hanggang maabot nating lahat ang ating mga pangarap." A short video message from John Vincent Gastanes, Founder of Project Zacch who is currently in South Korea to present Eco Kolek Project amongst leaders in sustainability worldwide.
Nanay Lydia Casiano of SMJ one her challenge to the Eco-Warriors.
The president of SMJ, Nanay Lydia, challenged her colleagues to step up to a new level of commitment and maturity, that is, to love each other despite their differences in views and principles.
Brian Agustin sharing his reflections on Eco Kolek as its Operations Manager.
According to Brian Agustin, Operations Manager of Eco Kolek, he was challenged to push the project despite the many limitations, but his passion to make a difference in the lives of the Eco-Warriors is his ever-surpassing reason why he remained motivated.