LoveBags for Marawi

Due to the pandemic, we had to temporarily shelve our LoveBags project. However, because of special requests, we had small trial runs for the updated LoveBag in recent months. And in mid-July, we re-launched the LoveBags Project to give 300 LoveBags to children in Marawi.

Specifically, these bags are for school children in GIDACS (geographically isolated disadvantaged areas in conflict situation). Some intended recipients are in Butig where the ISIS-Maute Local Terrorist Groups began. Others are in Madamba where main training camp of MNLF and MILF is located. The remaining children are in Bubung and Buadiposo which are flood prone areas with NPA camps nearby. We worked with friends from the De La Salle schools and their partner Duyog Marawi on this project.

What Goes into a LoveBag?

A LoveBag is a colorful backpack full of school supplies. Sadly, in many parts of the Philippines, children consider a new pencil a luxury. We remember meeting one father who split a pencil into three pieces so that each of his children could have something to write with. In addition to school supplies, these LoveBags were also packed with hygiene kits.

This batch of LoveBags have another special add-on. Derek is a first grader who volunteers for NVC along with his family. A few months ago, Derek began designing and selling notebooks to raise funds to buy an Xbox. However, when he heard a friend of his needed medical treatment, Derek began raising funds for that instead. Derek’s notebooks sell like hotcakes but many of his buyers have a special request. They want the notebooks to go to kids who really need them. And so each of the LoveBags for Marawi have one of these notebooks designed by Derek.

Packing LoveBags in the Time of Covid

We used to organize big events to pack LoveBags. Now we rely on small groups in tiny bubbles of safety to fill LoveBags. Several families and extended families answered our call for help to pack LoveBags at home. And on August 20th, 14 students from Bacolod Taytung High School got parental consent to pack LoveBags at school. They made sure to do this in a well-ventilated area while keeping a safe distance from each other.

Love Is on Its Way

On August 26th, 300 LoveBags began their journey to Marawi in Mindanao. Thank you to everyone who sponsored a LoveBag, packed a LoveBag, or spread the news about this endeavor! Soon 300 children in different parts of Marawi will be able to embrace your gift of love. What a great way to start NVC Foundation’s 12th year!