Give the best and success is possible.
Due to successful medications, the Persons Affected by Leprosy (PALs) were healed from the said disease, yet, reintegration won’t be easy. To make the transition attainable, Sorok Uni Foundation established Sorok Uni Village at San Antonio, Quezon in March 2002 to serve as a resettlement area for the cured leprosy patients from Tala Hospital in Caloocan.
Efforts truly yield desired results in the future. With the help of SUV and continuous advocacy in breaking the stigma, cured Leprosy patients were reintegrated back to the society and one of them is Mr. Gonzalo “Tatay Tikboy” Juntila. Tatay Tikboy reunited with his family in Jaro, Leyte, on September 15, 2021 - 40 years after having lost contact with them. Today, he’s with his family and has a small business and a cattle which is his source of livelihood.
Fruit of Cure: Tatay Tikboy reunited with his family in Leyte and started to earn for his daily living.
As the years passed, the village also accommodated homeless and displaced individuals and families, and underprivileged children through SUFI’s core programs: Relief, Rehabilitation, Empowerment, and Sustainability.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary this year, the foundation conducted a tree planting activity and restoration of the SUV’s facilities, with the Uni Group of Companies on March 26, 2023. It has been an event not only to restore and celebrate its milestone, but also a day of fellowship with the groups and individuals that supported SUV to prosper for its purpose of rebuilding lives and empowering people.
Gathering hands and hearts: SUFI celebrated SUV's 20th anniversary with the community's regional partners and Uni Group of Companies through a tree planting activity and restoration of the SUV’s facilities.
Accomplishment is not a one-time occurrence, instead an ongoing course of action. After the success of Digital Literacy Project’s implementation at Inawa Panaynep Elementary School, SUFI, Human Asia, and KOICA aims to empower another community through a collaborative partnership.
Earlier this year, Sorok Uni and Human Asia visited other communities in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro and both teams found areas that need assistance - the Culasisi Elementary School, which struggled to teach Digital Education due to lack of digital resources and Yapang National High School that needs to sustain the program’s beneficiaries drive in finishing their studies.
In Photos: Sablayan Mayor Hon. Walter “Bong” Marquez, Municipal Administrator LGU Mr. Norman Novio, Sablayan, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Lyn Mendoza, SUFI Executive Director Ms. April Castillo, Education Program Supervisor Mr. Ariceto Panojinog, Sr. Education Program Specialist Dr. Simplicia V. Savate, Education Program Specialist Eleonor Sumugat, Administrative Officer IV Ms. Carla Majia, and School Heads of Culasisi Elementary School and Yapang National High School Mr. Marlon Deladia and Mr. Felix Bautista respectively.
To make this possible, Sorok Uni joined hands with the Department of Education - Occidental Mindoro, and Municipal Government of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro through a MOA Signing on March 24, 2023. The said activity signified the start of the implementation of the Digital Literacy Project at Culasisi Elementary School and plans to establish a dormitory at Yapang National High School for the students that reside in far-flung areas. Initiatives like these aim to empower the Alangan Mangyan, in order to establish sustainable Indigenous Cultural Communities.
Positive outcomes may be hard or take too long to achieve, yet with the help of the organizations, teamwork can make the dream work. For Sorok Uni Foundation, March is all about growth and an overview of how hard work and investing on something good can fulfill what one seeks. It also reminds everyone to trust the process when working towards a goal.
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