FLEX alum, Matias John Vicena Mercado from the Philippines, was awarded the Greenheart Impact Grant in 2023. Check out his updates below!
Project Overview
With immense gratitude, we proudly reflect on the success of Greenheart’s environmental initiative, which was realized with the invaluable support of our donors and volunteers. Together, we transformed an ambitious vision into a tangible impact, rallying 51 students and 4 teachers to join us in planting 500 mangroves on Samal Island, Davao Del Norte, Philippines. This activity aligned with Greenheart’s mission to protect our environment and expand efforts to safeguard coastal ecosystems. We are sincerely grateful for the collective spirit that made this project possible.
Project Execution
Check out Matias’ project video here!
Start of the Day:
Our day began early at 4:30 am, setting off to ensure a timely ferry ride to Samal Island. Though clouds lingered in the sky, we were thankful that rain held off, allowing our activities to proceed uninterrupted. Upon reaching the island, the local community took note of our Greenheart volunteer shirts, which sparked their interest. As a proud Greenheart alumni, I seized the opportunity to introduce them to Greenheart’s mission and share my journey with the organization in the United States, fostering a sense of global environmental stewardship.
Welcoming and Orientation:
At the planting site, I opened the day by addressing our volunteers, sharing my Greenheart experience, and expressing gratitude for the support that allowed me to become a Global Impact Grant Awardee. Following my remarks, Ms. Kath Ranay from the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) delivered an engaging orientation on the crucial role of mangroves in coastal ecosystems. She highlighted how our efforts contribute to environmental preservation, emphasizing the impact of our shared commitment to sustainability. Her guidance set a strong foundation of understanding as we prepared for the planting activity.
Mangrove Planting Activity:
We moved to the planting site, where the volunteers—many of whom were experiencing a mangrove growing activity for the first time—immersed themselves in the task. It was a proud moment for Greenheart to provide them with this opportunity. The day was filled with laughter, conversations, and new connections as our group worked side by side, inspired by each other’s enthusiasm. The sense of community and dedication left a lasting impression, with several participants expressing interest in future environmental actions and advocacy.
Future Prospects:
In a heartening conclusion to the day, Ms. Kath Ranay expressed excitement about our collaboration and shared aspirations for future projects. She suggested potential environmental efforts, including seagrass planting and propagation of an endangered species, the “Saging-saging,” native to the Philippines. These ideas spark hope and optimism for continued environmental initiatives on Samal Island, and we look forward to the possibility of expanding our work with CENRO’s guidance and community support.
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