Project Launch:

The Philippines is a country with vast coastal resources, particularly corals, sea grasses and mangroves that sustain hundreds of fish species as well as a wide variety of other marine life. Unfortunately, in places like Babatngon, Leyte, many of these rich resources are largely unknown to kids who have never had the chance to see corals and fish in their native habitat. Without seeing nature and marine life for themselves, the students are not to be able to understand the complex dependency of the fragile ecosystem. These vital marine habitats are diminishing in places like Babatngon, due in part to the fact that people are not going to protect something that they haven't seen or can't understand. Kids are the future of these resources, the future protectors, users and sustainers. With support from World Connect’s Kids to Kids Program in 2011, activities were organized to take kids as well as some of their parents out in the water, looking at the corals and fish see firsthand what needs protection and why. This project not only provided stimulating extracurricular activities for students in a region without many resources, but developed a sustainable approach to environmental preservation by raising awareness among the local community about the rich resources they have their vital role in protecting them.