The Yellow Boat Project: Promoting HOPE, Inspiring People

          "Friends, we are truly grateful that you are riding this "yellow boat" with us, with our sort of the new Balangay, which Filipinos in the past have used to build communities all around our amazing archipelago. That is also what we are building today. We keep repeating it, the Yellow Boat Project is a way of life, it's a philosophy that for CHANGE to happen, it must start with each one of us. We are all part of the solution!" - Philippine Funds for Little Kids, Spearhead for The Yellow Boat Project (www.facebook.com/philippine.funds)


The Yellow Boat Project

         What is this "Yellow Boat", really?

          It started when Jay Jaboneta, now Chief Storyteller of the project, heard the story about kids from Zamboanga having to swim across waters just to reach school and have a decent education.

Photo Courtesy: Mr. Jay Jaboneta

          After confirming that the story is true, he was deeply moved that he then posted a status on Facebook about it, completely unaware that that little act will start a movement. Shortly after that, people were also touched and comments flooded the status and he received messages from people who wanted to help, willing to donate money for the kids.

          Then he reached a very generous amount, which started Zamboanga Funds for Little Kids. The money was used for making boats, so instead of swimming an awful distance, the kids were given yellow boats. This boats, named Bagong Pag-asa (New Hope), are intended to give them a glimpse of renewed hope, colored yellow not only symbolizing hope, but also imitating the usual school buses that brings kids to school.

          But after a period of time, he discovered that the same situation is experienced in other provinces in the Philippines too: Layag-Layag, Brgy. Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City; Isla Mababoy, Brgy. Guinhadap, Monreal, Masbate; and Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.

          The project then reached those places and The Yellow Boat Of Hope Project went on, even reaching now the attention and help from international associations such as Facebook itself and Tedx.

Photo Courtesy: Philippine Funds for Little Kids

Jay Jaboneta: The Fire Starter

          Who is this Jay Jaboneta? Why such a huge heart? If you are also wondering, we'll introduce him to you.

          Mr. Jay Michael Jaboneta is a blogger now known for using Social Media for Social Change. All it took for him to start a change was just a simple Facebook status. He's looked up to because of his passion to help children that braves the water everyday.

Photo From http://www.gilcamporazorandomthoughts.info/

          Eager to inspire more people and get them to help him in this mission, he spread out the message of HOPE -- an acronym for:

H – harnessing your potential/passion;

 "It is about finding your passion in life. I personally feel, even after 16 months into the project, that I have found my life’s mission and it is to help children who struggle to go to school.
And more than that, it is to help bring communities in the Philippines the resources they need to get a better chance in life. Without discovering what you are passionate about in life, it is very hard to stay focused on a mission, on a project. You’ve got to find what you love to do."

O – opening your mind/opening your heart;

"When I first heard about the story, I couldn’t shake it off. I didn’t know what to do then. I shared it on Facebook, not thinking that it would transform into a thriving national movement helping children in 3 communities around the Philippines."

P – perspiration;

"You cannot help people without getting both your hands and your feet dirty. When we want to help people, we should act on it. Only in doing so can we gain insights into how our efforts and operations can be made better. Perspiration is very good for the body and the soul too, as it cleanses our system. Personally, I have become thinner as a result of my involvement in the project."

E – empowering others.

"And this is for me, where the challenge really lies, even when you think of our national leadership. In order to succeed sustainably, we must equip and empower more leaders to take on the challenges in education and the other challenges our country is facing."

GIVE A HELPING HAND

          After knowing all these, The Phrontisterion is giving you another thing to think about. It's now up to you to help give these kids a shot to a better life, a better future.

          You can contact them through their websites:
          http://www.facebook.com/philippine.funds
          http://twitter.com/PHF4Kids
          http://yellowboat.tumblr.com/

          You could also reach Mr. Jay Jaboneta himself through his email address: jay.jaboneta@gmail.com.

          It's always fulfilling to help others, right? Let's make the world a better place.