GTI Certificate Student Leads Fundraiser for Filipino Victims of Super Typhoon

Youth Advocate for the Philippines and Global Leadership certification program participant, Luis Magdamit, is using his leadership skills to raise money for his local Filipino community which has been impacted by Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Ulysses.  

“Luis is one of our outstanding students from this summer’s Global Leadership certificate program,” says Melissa Edwards Smith, International Programs Manager for Global Training Initiative. Luis and six peers from the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) were among the total of 73 students who participated in the program this July. 

“These 7 CBSUA students were attempting to host a Student Leadership Seminar for their peers, based on our summer program the same week that this Super Typhoon hit their community,” states Edwards Smith. 

Dalupaon, a small coastal village located in Pasacao, Camarines Sur, the Philippines, is one of the communities impacted by the Super Typhoons. Super Typhoon Rolly first devastated the Bicol Provinces on November 1 before getting hit again by Typhoon Ulysses just ten days after. Many areas near the seashore are completely uninhabitable. 

To help his community, Luis set up a GoFundMe site called TINDOG DALUPAON. “‘Tindog’ is a Bicolano term which means ‘to stand,’” says Luis. “I am asking for the support of the people and encouraging everyone who has the capability to help from all over the world by sharing any amount of monetary donations. It will be a great help for the people of my humble community. In this time of great disasters, it is in compassion that we rely on each other. Let your help be the hope of those people who were affected.” 

Luis aims to raise $2000 to help victims buy relief goods and packs. His GoFundMe campaign will run through December 2020 and can be found here. You can also reach out to Luis directly at magdamitluis75@gmail.com.