PROJECTS: REFORESTATION
We put together a team of about 30 people from our partner organization, SMMAK, many of whom had disabilities and were confined to wheelchairs. What this group may have lacked in physical ability, they made up for in their vibrant spirit and love for life.
In November, we set out to plant 200 trees in the city of Santa Cruz, Zambales with the goal of making the land more resilient during flooding, adding biodiversity in an area prone to floods, and absorbing pollution in the local water and air.
Tree by tree, we used a stick to dig each hole and a rock to hammer in the supporting stakes until we had all 200 trees planted. It is difficult to convey the spirit of these amazing people through such a humbling experience. We look around and realize how truly blessed we are. It was a privilege to be in the presence of so many beautiful souls.