In the face of adversity, all you need is a Yellow Boat of Hope

As we continue to navigate through the uncertainties of the now normal, many communities are still in need of assistance, especially with the equipment and devices needed to keep up with the new educational landscape. Fortunately, the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation is one of the organizations that continue to provide support to vulnerable communities.

The Red Circle interviewed Chief Hope Paddler Doc Anton Lim who discussed the impact of the pandemic on their outreach programs and how they are pivoting in this new landscape.

This 2020, Yellow Boat of Hope was gearing up as it celebrates its 10th anniversary on October 30. To commemorate this milestone, the organization was targeting to gather Php 10-12 million to help more communities across the country. But since the pandemic broke out, they were only able to gather Php 1.6 million around May-June.

“I was extremely disappointed and discouraged because of the mounting needs to support our community cope with the pandemic and the schools,” said Doc Anton. When all hope seemed lost, they received unexpected news. “Early September, we were so surprised by the outpouring support from all over the world. We received grants and commitments totaling Php 10 million and we are not even near the last quarter where the biggest wave of donation usually happens. God is really good all the time. We are extremely humbled by the trust and generosity of many old and new donors and partners.”

Aside from the grants, Yellow Boat is still able to provide help to the different communities, despite the restrictions. Because the organization was structured to have lead implementers and volunteers whom they called hope paddlers, they were able to respond to the needs accordingly. “Our community leaders were in constant communication with us and letting us know the situation on the ground. That is why we were able to implement relief missions simultaneously distributing emergency healthy relief food packs when they needed the most before the government could respond. Our volunteers were in the community,” shared Doc Anton.

As lockdown restrictions eased, Yellow Boat soon started sailing again. They resumed construction of Yellow School of Hope in Caohagan Island in Northern Cebu, Yellow Bridge of Hope and the country’s first floating football pitch in Maluso, Basilan, Yellow School Boats in Pamarawan Island, Polillo Island and Northern Cotabato.

Doc Anton and his team also conducted COVID-19 Emergency Healthy Food Relief where food packs were distributed to 1059 families in 7 Yellow Boat communities. They also created the Hope In a Box which contained learning and art kits that were provided to children in our communities to help them cope with the effects of the pandemic as well as create a fun learning experience while they’re at home.

As of October 29, 2020, Yellow Boat has distributed Hope In a Box to 1,625 kids in Romblon, Mt. Province and Bohol. Their COVID-19 Educational Relief program has also raised more than Php 1.6 million from donors and partners like Metrobank Foundation, Power Mac Center, HSBC, Megaworld Foundation, Bukas Flask, and Verdaus Landscape Architecture. With this, they were able to donate 30 printers, 10 copiers, 3 risograph machines, 52 computer units, and 6 boxes of digital devices to 71 adopted schools as they continue education under the new normal.

Ensuring that their hope paddlers are safe during all these community engagements, Yellow Boat hosted a HOPE ZOOMIT as well as regular Zoom training sessions to remind them about the ongoing pandemic, health and safety guidelines and protocols, and how to protect themselves as well as their respective communities.

While their 10th anniversary could not have been more eventful than this, Doc Anton simply hopes to continue responding to the needs of the community, further support their 69 adopted schools with their education needs, and discover more communities that are in need of their assistance. He also hopes to increase awareness and partners from different companies, organizations, and foundations, to strengthen their community outreach programs and initiatives.

When asked about his renewed vision for Yellow Boat and its communities in the now normal, “We hope to be able to help the neglected last mile schools and communities and discover new communities and opportunities to make a difference.”

While so much has been said about the resilience of the Filipino people, it remains true because no matter the adversity, Filipinos rise up to claim a new day. This time around, there’s a little Yellow Boat of Hope that is helping communities power through and conquer the now normal.

As Yellow Boat of Hope continues to help more communities, they spearheaded the Support Our Schools Project and to gather more partners to provide devices and equipment that students need to continue their education in the now normal. To learn more about the project, visit their Facebook page. For donations, head on to https://www.yellowboat.org/donate.

Read also:

• 10 years of sailing with Yellow Boat of Hope
• Filipino teachers and the passion that makes learning continuity possible
• Championing Children’s Education