Project Launch:

The Philippines is a country with vast coastal resources, particularly corals, sea grass and mangroves that contribute to the ecosystem of hundreds of fish species as well as a rich variety of other marine life. These vital marine habitats are diminishing in places like Babatngon, often because local communities know little about these ecosystems and their fragility. With a $360 grant from World Connect in 2011, activities were organized to take kids, and in some cases their parents, out on the water to teach them about the sea life around them. Participants saw a wide range of sea life including the fish that live around corals, sea cucumbers in sea grass, and shrimp in Mangroves, opening their eyes to their rich environment and the importance of protecting it and preserving it for generations to come. The impact of the project on the children of Babatngon, traditionally an area without many resources for extracurricular activities like snorkeling and field trips, was eye opening.