Volunteerism transforms community

AROUND 2,000 volunteers braved the heat and worked tirelessly for five days during the recent Bayani Challenge 2012 in Amlan town, Negros Oriental.

They built houses, beautified schools and showed how communities could be transformed through selflessness and sacrifice.

Smart Communications Inc. helped spread their inspiring stories by providing broadband services during the event.

Aside from the Internet connection for the downloading and uploading needs of organizers, Smart also provided free Wi-Fi services for volunteers at the town plaza.

This year’s Bayani Challenge was done simultaneously in five provinces, mobilizing 10,000 volunteers.

“More than the physical accomplishment, there is that feeling, that sense of solidarity you get from working together with others for the community,” said Gawad Kalinga (GK) executive director Luis Oquiñena, who helped dig a septic tank.

Aside from Amlan, the Bayani Challenge 2012 was also done in Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Masbate and Mindoro Occidental.

This is also the first time that event organizers undertook extensive media coverage of the event, said Bryan Gapasin, event head for Negros Oriental.

Gapasin said they assigned a team to document the daily work of volunteers in Amlan and their photos, videos and stories were uploaded to the GK website and shared with news outlets.