April 25, 2014 Hope Bridge Turnover Ceremony

Hope Bridge Project Turnover in Marabut, Samar

Ceremony venue in Barangay San Roque

MARABUT, SAMAR – On April 25, 2014 representatives from Hope Bridge – Korea held a turnover ceremony for their project through LCDE (Leyte Center for Development) and CDRC (Citizens Disaster Response Center) in a seaside venue close to Barangay San Roque. Thirty (30) motorboats, complete with engines, and fishing nets, for crabs and fish, were each given to each of the fisher-folk beneficiaries; farm tools were also dispersed to Hope Bridge’s target barangays in Marabut which are Caluwayan, San Roque, Viloso, Legaspi and Tagalag. Various school supplies and t-shirts (bearing inspiring prints) were also distributed to 500 children of Marabut. Present in the occasion were Hope Bridge’s Director, staff and a film crew which arrived a day before, CDRC and LCDE’s Directors and staff were also onsite and were part of the preparations for the event. 

Aside from the formal turnover, a program was also held which lasted all throughout the day which started in the morning with the blessing of the boats by a local priest, then followed by messages from Hope Bridges Board Director Dr. Su-yun Chae, CDRC’s Executive director Ms. Suyin Jamoralin and Marabut’s Mayor Percival Ortillo; two beneficiaries each representing the fishing and farming sector also extended their thanks. 

Beneficiairy with Hope Bridge's Director Dr. Su-yun and CDRC's Ms. Jamoralin

One of the programs highlights was a presentation by a charming group of children who sang “We are the World” and lit up the whole crowd with cheers and smiles. After the presentation the turnover ceremony began in earnest, where a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the beneficiaries and LCDE detailing the rules and obligations that have to be fulfilled in order to be granted the assistance the project provides. After signing, beneficiaries received their motorboats and fishing nets on the shoreline followed by closing remarks by LCDE’s Executive director Ms. Jazmin Jerusalem, thus ending the formal portion of the ceremony by mid-afternoon. What came next were social activities for both the project staff (Hope Bridge, LCDE and CDRC) and beneficiaries alike, which included games and dancing. 

Beneficiary with his newly acquired motorboat.

Overall the project achieved all that Hope Bridge, LCDE, and CDRC were looking forward to, which is to provide aid to target communities in Marabut and alleviate the lack of comprehensive livelihood support in the area, although the project cannot possibly cover the whole of Marabut, Samar LCDE hopes that this can serve as call to other NGO’s and especially the National government to make concrete steps towards helping Marabut get back up on its feet, this call also goes out for all the other devastated communities in Eastern Visayas which have yet to receive proper aid and support. 

By: Carlo A. Jerusalem

LCDE Advocacy Officer