Solar-Powered Livelihood Center for 1375 Filipinos

On May 26, Global Peace Foundation and the Office of the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries of the Local Government of Palompon in Leyte, Philippines co-organized a capacity development seminar for officers and members of All Lights Village Association in Buenavista. The activity was organized to enhance the participants’ problem-solving capacities and community participation as members and officers of the association.

Ms. Maria Suganob, a technician from the Office of the Municipal Agriculture and Fisheries, gave a presentation and reminders on guidelines provided by the Department of Labor and Employment for local organizations such as the Buenavista All Lights Village Association. Officers actively took note of the guidelines for effective compliance.

Afterwards, the participants were engaged in activities designed to reinforce their teamwork and collaboration skills. Simulating community participation while divided into teams, the members and officers of the association were able to put into practice the design process which involved thinking, doing, prototyping, and iteration. The activities also assessed their level of commitment and creativity, bringing them into many educational realizations which further pushed their determination to move forward as an association.

Organizational management was also presented in the seminar which is a component of the leadership development phase of the project. They were also inspired by the organization’s core values which is perceived as a universal code for successful, moral living. At the end of the activities, participants were all grateful in being able to develop practical skills through capacity development; they believe that these skills are necessary so they can pursue the ideas they initiated for the development of their community.