1,000 Reasons Project
Introduction
The pioneering project of I am MAD is the 1,000 Reasons Project (Formorly known as the Batang Iskolar Project) which is a 3-day volunteer experience that encourages children to finish their education thru donations of school supplies and the like; inculcating culture of peace in the lives of these children and developing their leadership skills during the MAD workshop which has several activities such as storytelling, team building activities, games and obstacle course ; promoting community activities initiated by the kids themselves; and advocating the 10 MAD Commitments which they promise to practice everyday.
MAD Commitments
1. I will pray and thank God every day.
2. I will smile and greet people around me.
3. I will eat nutritious food every meal
4. I will share my food to those who doesn't have.
5. I will throw my garbage in the trashcan.
6. I will play with fairness and sportsmanship.
7. I will return any lost and found items to the authority.
8. I will study my lessons before going to bed.
9. I will hug my parents and tell them how much I love them.
10. I will start making a difference within myself today.
Activities
Part of the mission of the I am MAD is to organize a seminar for the youth. This acts as a stepping stone of the organ’s vision to build a nation of values to support the Filipino youth and is complemented by a workshop course. The course acts like a camping activities that sets in both classroom and field settings. It helps students apply their learnings from the seminars in the activities, puzzles, and games to further enhance there learnings.
The course is carefully created in accordance to the lessons of the I am MAD for the kids and is marked as entertaining as well since fairytale and folklore elements such fairy, treasure, witch, and even giant spider are present to tickle their imaginations.
First Day
Second Day
Download the Module
Click the word file icon to download the module of the course. It contains a concrete desciption and methodology of the activities.
20 sites and counting
Since it started last December 2009, the program has reached 20 areas all over the Philippines, involving more than 1,000 children in six years. We continue to implement I am MAD whenever there’s an opportunity and if someone volunteers to be an area coordinator. Here are the 20 sites we have visited and conducted the BIP:
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Lamitan, Basilan
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Isabela City, Basilan
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Zamboaga City
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Zamboanga del Sur
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Pikit, North Cotabato
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Mati City, Davao Oriental
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Sibuyan Island, Romblon
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Laurel, Batangas
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San Fernando, La Union
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Bulacan
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Tuguegarao City
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Kidapawan City
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Maitum, Sarangani Province
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Capas, Tarlac
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Kalinga
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Daanbantayan, Cebu
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Olanggo Island, Cebu
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Sampaloc, Manila
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La Trinidad, Benguet
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Floridablanca, Pampanga
The MAD-experience
Be a volunteer
The youth volunteers also benefit from the project. While it seems that the volunteers are the ones who is giving their time and resources, it is through this experience that they gain priceless memories and life’s reflections and somehow be the hope and the future that Dr. Jose Rizal once envisioned