[Celebration] Find what gives you joy and go there

[Patricia2526]

In February 2023, amidst the lush beauty of the Philippines, a journey in civic engagement took root in the heart of the Airbnb Philippines Host Club. As one of the Airbnb Host Community Leaders within this community, I found a unique opportunity to contribute to the lives of the indigenous tribe dwelling along the Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail. 

Passionate Airbnb Hosts embarked on an inspiring journey to the indigenous tribe of Pamulaklakin Trail in Subic Bay, Philippines. Our mission was rooted in a desire to empower this community through education, hoping to create opportunities for a brighter future. As advocates of civic engagement, We saw an opportunity to uplift the Ayta tribe by imparting essential skills that could open doors to economic sustainability.

The initiative began with the notion that teaching basic housekeeping skills could not only elevate the living standards of the community but also create employment opportunities within the realm of Airbnb hosting. With the aim to bridge the gap and offer the tribe an avenue for involvement in the hospitality industry, workshops were organized to teach the intricacies of housekeeping, cleanliness, and the art of becoming an Airbnb Host housekeeper or co-host. 

The engagement was met with enthusiasm and warmth from the Pamulaklakin Forest Trail community. They eagerly absorbed the knowledge, embracing the chance to explore new possibilities.

Months later, in August 2023, a subsequent chapter of this civic engagement unfolded. Collaborating with fellow Airbnb hosts, we expanded our impact by extending our support to the children of the Aeta tribe community. Recognizing the significance of education and art, we organized workshops focused on drawing and watercolor painting for the children. Donated art materials, generously contributed by both Airbnb hosts, friends and family, were distributed among 98 eager and enthusiastic children.

The initiative not only nurtured creativity but also served as a means of connecting these young minds with their heritage, instilling a sense of pride and belonging.

The act of giving back had not only enriched the lives of the indigenous people but had also cultivated a bond between disparate cultures, fostering a shared sense of humanity and solidarity.

The journey was a testament to the power of civic engagement in fostering positive change and the beauty that emerges when communities unite to support one another.

[Jo932]

@Laurelle3 @Christine615  This is so great! I was born and raised in KC. And another children's book author! I would love to talk to her. She could give me tips on anything I could improve on my Airbnb. When I first decided to change my rental to Airbnb I had no idea there would be all this support and chat from other hosts. It's wonderful. 

[Christine615]

Hi @Jo932 . I’ve been swamped with work but glad you are here!

Welcome to our team of hosts! 🙂

[Gifty7]

Beautiful and inspirational story. Thank you @Patricia2526 and all who got involved in giving back to this community. God bless you all

[Patricia2526]

Thank you @Gifty7 I appreciate your kind words.

[Fiona256]

Did these people ask to be empowered?

[Laurelle3]

@Fiona256 after reading and doing a little research these Aeta native tribal people are trying to maintain the nomadic lifestyle and they have realised they themselves need to be educated. To stop others from robbing them of the area they live in.

The Phillipine Government in 1997 implemented the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act but their is a problem with this as their was or is documented evidence before this date that the Aeta people lived there.

This sound familar to most native people whose lands were invaded by white man. For example to name a few. Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, Canada, USA,  Sweden, Ukraine. However the list goes on and the this is a problem for many tribes.

Often it with education they are able to empower themselves and from my reading of different articles it is by donations, through education and health they can learn to empower themselves.

Unfortunately, I  haven't been close to the Aeta native tribal people but I have been to school, lived near and worked with the "Stolen Children" by the do gooders of this world. At that time we were overseen by the British who are my ancestors and it wasn't until I  was in my 40's that I was to find out the true history of what really happened. 

It appears to be similar to the Aeta native people. Sorry for my rant but sometimes we have to be informed in this evolving world. 

[Laurelle3]

@Patricia2526 thank you for your article of What gives you Joy and you visited the Pamulaklakin Aeta Forest Trail and how you attended a programme to help and support these native tribal people of the area to be sustainable.

We have been in to this area in 1991 when Mt Pinitubo volcanoe blew up. But we found then there was no information regarding the Native Aeta people or the area they lived in forest. But the forest was being marketed for pfofit by private buisness people and nothing was going back to the traditional people.

It was great reading and it encouraged me to look up the area and the traditional native people. It was interesting to read that there tribal people are being moved on away from their long term native area because the land is wanted for agriculture and forests are being destroyed. I am always learning from the CC Forum.

It is sad to find out that this is still going on today in different parts of the world. 

What I thought was your great deed with fellow Airbnb Hosts from your chapter to provide material for the childrens education through art materials.

Every little helping hand goes a long way for not only for ourselves with the feel good moment. But for the children who are being nurtured/assisted with materials for their education. If more people did this we would be living in a peaceful world today.