Human Nature’s project helps build New Hope Village

OVER 200,000 Marawi residents fled the city last May as the fighting between government forces and rebels groups escalated. While armed conflict ended last October, the bigger fight against hopelessness has yet to be won.

There are currently 51 evacuation centers filled with families whose homecomings remain uncertain. Unexploded bombs from military airstrikes are still being excavated in the 24 Marawi villages where fighting was heaviest. Dubbed as ‘ground zero’, many of the homes and establishments in the area are now bullet- riddled and defaced.

The HOPE Marawi Rehabilitation Initiative is part of a worldwide effort called PEACE Plan. Established by California- based Evangelical group Saddleback Church, the PEACE ( Promote reconciliation, Equip leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick and Educate the next generation) Plan encourages and equips local Christian churches to respond to the needs of their communities.

HOPE Marawi Rehabilitation Initiative is currently serving 165 internally displaced Meranaw families now based in Brgy. Delabayan in the Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

The PEACE Plan initiative aims to build the New Hope Village, consisting of at least 100 houses. The village will be the first of its kind to rise in Mindanao.

“You may think that we’re just building houses but in reality, it’s more than that. We’re helping rebuild lives, giving families a second chance.”

Last March, Human Nature launched a new Goodness Rising effort to support the the HOPE Marawi Rehabilitation Initiative. The company aims to build fifty Houses of Hope in Delabayan.

Goodness Rising is an employeedriven fundraising effort that began in 2013 during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. The initiative proves that no act of kindness is insignificant. To date, the combined efforts of Human Nature employees, advocates and customers has raised over P20 million in funding to help various causes.

In 2014, it helped 100 houses for Typhoon Yolanda survivors in Tambuililid, Ormoc City and 20 homes for fisherfolk who were also affected by Typhoon Yoland in Cadiz Viejo, Negros Occidental.

In 2016, Goodness Rising funded the scholarships of fifty students of Gawad Kalinga’s School for Experiential and Entrepreneurial Development. The following year, it raised P7.5 million in funding to build 50 homes for families in Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao.

Last February, Human Nature sent its first team of employees to Delabayan to participate in community-building efforts.

The public can also help goodness rise in their communities. For more information, visit www.humanheartnature. com/goodnessrising.