This post, by Josiah Pleasant, highlights his recent trip to the Philippines. Josh and his team partnered with us to provide a surfboard to a local grom that had a surprising effect on his future. Read on!
During my recent business as mission field work, I worked with local fisherman like Ronel (pictured) to evaluate sustainable economic solutions. Cephalopods (Octopus & Squid) are the remnant of a once thriving fishery, decimated by reef destruction, over-fishing, & climate change. Ronel’s children are the first from his island to attend university. The future Ronel feared, when fishing alone can no longer support his family, has already arrived. One of the economic solutions Ronel & our friends are pioneering on the island, eco-tourism, brings the ability to provide income, expand cultural awareness, & build his community sustainability.
« Through a redemptive friendship developed with an outer island orphan during our field study our team sponsored & supports the transformational education of Anghelito… »
WAVES for Development helped the local community & our team through their relationship with Global Surf Industries to provide a surfboard to aid in eco-tourism development. Through a redemptive friendship developed with an outer island orphan during our field study our team sponsored & supports the transformational education of Anghelito, who now has a long term home with Janice Demayo Sarselejo.
« After his first surf lesson (& first time on a board) Anghelito couldn’t stop smiling after catching several waves. »
Janice was a part of one of our first agri-business workshops & now runs a fruitful & sustainable agri-business. Janice has been successful to the point that she is paying forward the blessings in her life to others & was ecstatic to provide Anghelito with a loving home. As part of a long term recognition of his heritage & future surf tourism possibilities, Anghelito has access to his surfboard after school sessions. After his first surf lesson (& first time on a board) Anghelito couldn’t stop smiling after catching several waves.
« It is exciting that something as simple as a surf lesson & surfboard, utilized via a caring friendship, can be utilized as part of an effort to lead to community development, one life at a time. »
This incentivization has been successfully modeled by the management team of a Pacifico Beach, Siargao, couple. This couple has seen school absences & tardiness more than cut in half amongst its after school surf program participants. As I reflect on the positive impact of our collaborative efforts through one child’s life, I am humbled by the ripple effect that is caused when we intentionally partner with others to accomplish a greater good. It is exciting that something as simple as a surf lesson & surfboard, utilized via a caring friendship, can be utilized as part of an effort to lead to community development, one life at a time.
For more on Josh and his mission visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahpleasant
