Following the onslaught of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses in various parts of the country, UNICEF Benilde and Benilde Nature Development and Outdoor Club (BUNDOC) collaborated in “Sagip, Kabataan! Para Sa Kinabukasan!” donation drive to give aid to affected families in Marikina and educate the Benildean community through daily facts on the current situation of the environment from Nov. 23 to Dec. 5.

The donation drive was headed by Consular and Diplomatic Affairs students Julia Ibe, BUNDOC President, and Aieshah Balmori, UNICEF Benilde Partnerships and Communications Director, as Project Managers. 

In an interview with The Benildean, Ibe expressed her gratitude to everyone who took part in the donation drive saying “without them this initiative would not be successful.”

Moreover, according to Ibe, BUNDOC’s goal is for the Benildeans to have a “leadership experience in this time of pandemic, and to offer the Benildean community the opportunity to serve their community [amid the threats posed by COVID-19 and in time of] a natural disaster.”

Aside from spearheading the donation drive, BUNDOC also aims to educate the community on the current situation of the environment.

“Hindi lang kami basta nag do-donate, we are also informing the effects of our anthropogenic deeds in the environment if we do not act today. It made us sad because ang daming naging  victim[s], and we cannot afford to be ignorant at this time so we have to educate and to assist,” Ibe said.

Thus, BUNDOC and UNICEF Benilde also created an online campaign, in line with the donation drive, through posting of daily facts and updates as they promote a safer environment and protect the welfare of the children via their Facebook page.

All donations gathered will directly go to funding of Ligtas Kinabukasan Kits that will be given to the beneficiaries of the Center for Social Action (CSA).

Aside from monetary donations, UNICEF Benilde and BUNDOC also accepted in-kind donations Ligtas Kinabukasan Kit in line with the #AdoptAFamily Hygiene Kits of the CSA.

According to Ibe, the initiative gathered a total of  Php 34,869.25 and 68 Ligtas Kinabukasan Kits. Ibe also highlighted Real Estate Management student Simon Clarence Oprecio, owner of The Brow Bizz, and his contribution to the donation drive where he donated 50% of his income for five days, which is 30.37% of the total monetary gathered for the donation drive.