Cost: 300.00 each volunteer

Inclusions: Environmental Fee, 3 native tree seedlings, certificate of participation, Facilitator's fee, Honorarium of forest rangers for land preparation, Seedling replacement (in case the seedling planted did not survive, our Forest Rangers will replace them)

*Proceeds: A portion of the registration fee will be allocated to the We Lift Club’s Hopefull Campaign. This way, the event will not only help the environment but also contribute to the education of Indigenous Children at the same time.

HopeFULL Campaign - At We Lift Club, we firmly believe that education is the key to unlocking the full potential of Indigenous people. The 'HopeFULL Campaign' is an initiative designed to bring hope and support to teachers and students in Indigenous Communities. Our goal is to provide meaningful and inclusive educational opportunities that empower indigenous communities. 

Through this campaign, we strive to ensure that every child has access to the necessary school supplies, free of charge, enabling them to pursue their education with enthusiasm and confidence. As part of our commitment, we have developed a culturally sensitive module that integrates indigenous knowledge and values. This module aims to encourage students to keep dreaming and embrace the richness of their heritage and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Site Information 

Cuyambay is a barangay situated at the foothills of the Sierra  Madre Mountain Range in the municipality of Tanay, Rizal. With approximately 14.6066, 121.3499, on the island of Luzon. The estimated elevation is at 446.0 meters or 1,463.2 feet above sea level. 

The planting site is declared as a protected area under Republic Act No. 9125, and it is also recognized as an ancestral domain by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

Project : ​​Fruit-Bearing Tree Planting Activity and Community Empowerment in Brgy. Cuyambay:

Our objective for the fruit-bearing tree planting activity in Barangay Cuyambay is multifaceted, not just focusing on reforestation but also empowering the Dumagat -Remontados Indigenous Peoples (IP) community through sustainable resources:

1. Restore the denuded forest of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range

2. Lessen the bad effects of climate change by expressing our concern for the environment 

3. Bring people closer to the problem for them to see it firsthand, and encourage them to change a  personal habit 

4. Establish Sustainable Livelihood: To create a long-term and sustainable source of income for the IP community by cultivating fruit-bearing trees. The harvest from these trees can be sold, providing a consistent economic benefit.

5. Enhance Food Security: To improve the nutritional well-being of the IP community by providing a readily accessible and healthy food source directly from the planted trees.

6. Promote Local Economic Circulation: To ensure that the economic benefits directly empower the community from the outset by:

• Utilizing Local Manpower: Mobilizing and compensating IP community members for the labor involved in planting and maintaining the trees.
• Sourcing Seedlings Locally: Purchasing tree seedlings directly from within the IP community or from local IP growers whenever possible.

What to bring  

• Work gloves and a shovel
• Drinking water
• Extra Clothes
• First aid kit
• Poncho/rain coat (in case of rain)
• Insect Repellant, sun block
• Personal hygiene kit
• Eating utensils and reusable water jugs.
• Have a tree planting buddy for safety and for taking pictures.

What to wear 

• Long sleeves or bring arm sleeves, long pants
• Dri-fit shirts are more advisable than cotton)
• Hiking / outdoor sandals are enough, but closed footwear is more advisable.
• Wear footwear with good traction. The trail to/from the planting site may have steep sections and a slippery, clay soil profile
• Bring a cap or head buff to cover your head as the trail is exposed to full sun.
• Old clothes are okay, as we will get soiled and dirty while planting.

Safety  

• There are first aiders assigned during the tree planting activity.
• Volunteers are required to sign the Safety and Liability waiver before the activity.
• Volunteers over the age of 60 are required to get clearance from their doctor to ensure that they are able to take on the activity without medical complications.
• Volunteers with underlying health conditions or expecting pregnancy are also advised to check with their physician.

Meet-up location : Tablon Elementary School

(We can arrange transportation for volunteers from Cubao to the planting site. The cost will be shouldered by the volunteers.)

Program Schedule: 

6:00 AM – 6:20 AM  - Arrival at Tree Planting Site.  *Quick Rest

6:40 AM - 7:00 AM - Orientation and final preparation, Headed by a Representative from the Tanay Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO)

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM - Tree planting time (plant 3 seedlings for each volunteer)

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM. *Quick Rest, Cool down

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM - Activity Processing 

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Lunch and bonding with the community

11:30 AM - 11:50 AM. Descent/return at the Assembly Area-

12:00 PM  - End of program