Original story at: http://visayandailystar.com/2015/April/28/people.htm
The Negrense Volunteers for Change Peter Project 2 has delivered 4,614 fishing boats from more than 700 donors worldwide to Yolanda-hit fisherfolk, its final report shows.
Of the beneficiaries, 240 are from Negros Occidental, Iloilo – 1,485, Aklan, Antique and Capiz – 352, Cebu – 81, Leyte and Biliran – 1,260, Samar – 1,153, and Masbate and CamSur – 1,153, NVC president Millie Kilayko said yesterday.
“On Nov. 17, 2015, just four days after Typhoon Yolanda hit, my house was overflowing with volunteers and donated goods for emergency relief. But in the news, we heard about tons of food and medicines from all over the world. We knew we had to shift to something more sustainable for those who were hit, something that would stay with them long after others have left,” she said.
So they shifted to raising funds to provide fishermen who lost their boats to Yolanda with new ones to restore their means of livelihood, she added.
“We thought we would be happy if 100 people responded. Then, people cancelled Christmas parties and donated boats instead. Little kids mixed lemonade and sold them on stands. Families made bracelets. We saw the best of the human spirit,” Kilayko said.
“We have been touched, blessed and driven to move to new heights in our quest for a better life for the poor. May all those who gave their time, talent and treasure to this cause, be forever blessed,” she added.
She noted that the Peter Project bore fruit, especially when NVC began to search for alternatives to tree-cutting for wooden boat hulls. As the numbers were increasing, NVC began to engage in the manufacture of fiberglass boats and set up plants in Javier, Leyte and Sagay, Negros Occidental, she said.
Towards the last quarter of the project, the boat factories were turned over to the communities. Today, the Javier plant continues to be engaged in boat production for other organizations and is also conducting research and development on other fiberglass products, such as toilets, she added.
In Palo, Leyte, fishermen beneficiaries of NVC have become entrepreneurs, Kilayko also pointed out.
“On the shoreline near where they park their boats, these enterprising beneficiaries have constructed seven sheds that they rent for P300 a day to beach goers. They also operate a store as well, with a karaoke machine available for a fee, of course. After they have returned from sea with their catch, the Peter Project boats are also available for rides at P100,” she said.
“We are so overjoyed at seeing new life and fresh enthusiasm sprout from the hearts of these people who have once lost so much,” Kilayko added.*CPG