About I am MAD
Who we are
I am Making A Difference, Inc. is a SEC registered volunteer organization. It’s co-founded by 2013 PNVSCA’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Philippines, Mark Conrad “Maco” R. Ravanzo, and 2012 United Nations Outstanding Youth Leader, Christian Marx P. Rivero.
It was in the year 2009 when Christian and Maco initiated the 1st ever outreach of I am Making A Difference, Inc. which was just supposed to be a way of paying it forward to their individual communities. It was first done in Basilan Island and the school supplies that was distributed came all over from Metro Manila from Christian who personally solicited in kind donations from his classmates and friends.
An anonymous author once said, “We give because we know the feeling of having nothing”, Christian, 26, one of the co-founders grew up in Sibuyan Island in Romblon which is a fifth class municipality. Coming from a poor family of a fisherman father and being a personal scholar of a Canadian priest, his deep motive to help the less fortunate resonates his thrive in his selfless life.
Before, it was just the two of them (Christian and Maco) who conducts the activities of I am M.A.D., now we have more than 200 volunteers all over the Philippines who are engaging themselves in the activities of the organization. We believe that one is not too small to make a difference, and if we will all together work as one, that small difference will create a bigger impact to the society we are living in.
Our Vision
I am MAD envisions itself to be a model association of nation building that provides academic, values, community, and livelihood support to the Filipino youth, and in which shall also serve as a catalyst for them to create a difference through their own chosen way.
Our Mission
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Mobilize volunteers in raising funds and donations for providing school supplies to the public school students
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Organize workshops and seminars for the youth
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Conduct community development and livelihood programs
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Develop a scholarship program for the deserving students
History
Background
In the Philippines, education is said to be free, but despite this right to education, 3 out of 5 siblings in a Filipino household don't go to school for various reasons. One reason is the lack of school supplies like notebooks and pens which makes it difficult for them to participate during class and do their homework. Some children have to stay at home and take care of their younger siblings while their parents look for work. Others are forced to go out in the streets and sell goods, just to earn a few peso to have food on their table.
1,000 Reasons Project (formerly known as Batang Iskolar Project) is a grant given to the less fortunate children in remote areas in the Philippines. Batang Iskolar is a Filipino word which means a child scholar.
The program aims to encourage children finish their education despite of socio-economic problems faced by their families thru donations of school supplies, enriching their experience as a child by receiving gifts during Christmas and developing their behaviors and attitude towards self and others by obtaining grooming kits and many more from their individual sponsors. At least 10 scholars will be chosen from each remote area.
I am M.A.D. (Making A Difference) Workshop is implemented as a launching activity and to determine 1,000 Reasons in an area. It is a workshop that inculcates culture of peace in the lives of children and develops their leadership skills. A series of activities is conducted that entails the physical, emotional, social and mental abilities of the children. It will give an opportunity for the organizers to determine potential leaders among the participants at their youngest age, instill in their minds, hearts and souls the good values that they will learn in the team building activities that the workshop has.
In return, the scholarswill be initiating activities relevant to social mobilization and community service to develop in them the values of a good citizen of the country at their youngest age and should maintain their grades in school.
These unfortunate children will be having sponsors who will be adopting them as a MAD scholar. Communication through letters between the sponsor and the scholar will be established to promote sympathetic and emphatic feelings and understanding despite of the differences they have. The program believes that there’s no one else but US who can change the face of today’s world. Our desire is to Make A Difference in the lives of the one who receives.