Resettlement Area to Build a Toy Center for Aeta Children: Former Mt. Pinatubo Survivors Prioritize their Next Generation

Published on 07/29/14

Pampanga, Philippines – Remember Mt. Pinatubo? It was that quiet volcano in Central Luzon that suddenly came alive, changing the fate of the residents forever. It was in 1991 when tragedy struck and residents along the volcano were forced to move and start new lives. The Aetas, a nomadic tribe that live in the mountains were forced to resettle their communities in Brgy. Villa Maria…

it has been twenty years and they have settled their lives in Porac. Now, they are asking for help in building a toy center for their children. The Villa Maria Integrated School is about thirty minutes off the center of the municipality; thus, access is a bit hard. “The Aeta children need not to travel far to play with old toys and read children’s books with our help,” PTL President Edsel Ramirez appeals. “The school principal has already allocated a space and refurnished the room for our donated toys and books.”

The Philippine Toy Library is currently calling for donations of toys and children’s books. Clear out closets and start helping in the building toy centers in Porac and Sasmuan, Pampanga, Dapdap, Quezon, Palawan, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga Sibugay and Zamboanga del Sur.

Drop off points are in Quezon City (KIDS AHOY, PTL and Jesuit Volunteers Philippines offices), Pampanga (Orchid Bookstore), Baguio, Bacolod and Zamboanga City (ADZU, Tzu Chi Foundation and YSP offices).