European youth to build houses for Badjaos

CEBU City is hosting 25 western Europeans on a 20-day visit to learn about Cebuano culture.

The visit is part of the Multi-City Youth Exchange program organized by the city government and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The group would try to help the Badjao community in barangay Mambaling by building four houses for selected beneficiaries, said Ruby Cumba-Langeveld, a native of Borbon town who works as a nurse in the Netherlands.

The group will also visit the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation office, Cebu City Medical Center and the Cebu Technological University campus in Barili town, south Cebu, for a youth encounter.

Langeveld said the group will also have a Cebu adventure sleeping on the city’s sidewalks and sailing to Bandian Island.

“We are here for immersion and to visit our sister city’s projects,” said Langeveld.

The delegation includes 27 guests from Kortrijk in Belgium and Haarlemmermeer in the Netherlands. The Dutch group includes 12 youths and three adults.

The Belgium delegates include 10 youths and two adult leaders.

Half of the delegates’ travel expenses was subsidized by their respective governments. The delegates paid the balance, raising funds by washing cars, selling recyclable bottles and walking for a cause, Langeveld said./chief of reporters doris c. bongcac