Ecosave Philippines Outreach December 2025

written by Shinwoo (William) Kim

This week Ecosave members finished the year with our third outreach trip to the Philippines. The schedule was very packed, but it became a meaningful and fulfilling outreach trip that was able to provide a lot of help to the Philippines.

Similar to our last trip, we headed to Creek Village as soon as we arrived. We recognized several familiar faces from before and greeted one another warmly. We installed additional solar-powered lights in the alleyways and streets so that both children and adults could walk around and gather more safely at night. In total, five new solar-powered lights were installed in addition to those from our previous visit.

We then held a plogging activity, pairing one Ecosave member with about seven children from the village. After dividing the village into sections, we worked together to collect trash that had been visibly littered throughout the area. The children were active and enthusiastic during the activity, and many expressed pride in helping clean their community. After the plogging event, we distributed small gifts to the participating children. Each Ecosave eco-bag included dolls and snacks brought from Korea, which the children enjoyed greatly.

The following morning, we visited Tanza 1, where the Little Hands Daycare Center is located. To begin the day, our members taught the children popular Pororo songs, which quickly captured their attention and encouraged active participation. Afterward, we divided into smaller groups and worked closely with the children on simple puzzles, origami, and other art-based activities designed to match the developmental level of three- to five-year-olds.

 We brought approximately twenty puzzle sets, which were used during the activities and later donated to the daycare center so that similar learning experiences could continue even after our visit. To conclude the day, we shared a meal together, handing out Jollibee lunches and sitting alongside the children as we ate. This time allowed us to connect more personally, strengthening our bond through conversation and shared moments.

Lastly, we traveled to Cavite City, one of Manila’s largest seaside slum communities. There, we spent time with families living in tightly packed stilt houses built along the coast and over the sea. The surrounding waters were heavily polluted with trash, and access to clean water, medical care, electricity, and reliable nutrition was extremely limited. Moving from house to house, we installed solar-powered lights indoors and worked to place solar panels on rooftops, providing families with a stable source of electricity. When the lights were switched on, the homes were filled with laughter as families gathered together, visibly moved by the change.

As the sun set and dinnertime approached, Ecosave members prepared Tteokbokki to share with the community. We made bulgogi tteokbokki, a milder version chosen to suit local tastes. Despite a power outage that occurred at the same time, we continued cooking in the darkness, preparing large portions so that everyone in the village could share a meal. Through this moment, we shared not only food but also a part of our culture. The residents welcomed it warmly, expressing genuine enjoyment and gratitude, and the shared meal became a meaningful moment of connection that transcended language and circumstance.

Through environmental efforts, educational activities, and sustainable energy projects, we were able to support local residents in practical and lasting ways. As we ended the year with this third trip to the Philippines, we returned home with a stronger sense of responsibility and gratitude, inspired to continue our efforts toward making a positive ripple through the world.