I'm fundraising in conjunction with SERVE - Solidarity in Action on behalf the the Badjao Tribe in Cebu, the Philippines. The Badjao people are an indigenous tribe with over 4,000 members and their own unique language, culture and customs. However, they are amongst the most vulnerable and abandoned people groups in the Philippines as they are ostracised and treated as second class citizens by the Philippine government.

The Badjao Tribe are traditionally a nomadic, sea faring tribe who have lived in the Philippines since 500AD. In recent decades, laws have been passed that have effectively banned the Badjao from fishing. As a result , most of the tribe have lost their livelihood. You might recognise the types of homes that the Badjao live in - bamboos houses built on long stilts in shallow water. These homes are an instantly recognisable aspect of their culture, however, in recent years typhoons have devastated the area of Cebu where the Badjao Tribe live and many homes have been destroyed. Money raised will go towards obtaining materials needed and the construction of new homes for those who have lost their homes.

SERVE works in conjunction with the Presentation Sisters and have done so since 2003. The Presentation Sisters are responsible for the setting up and running of schools for children in the Badjao Tribe. When the Presentation Sisters began this, the Badjao Tribe had an illiteracy rate of 96%. The school has 5 teachers and, in 2008, welcomed their first Badjao teacher. Funding for the school is essential to ensure literacy rates continue to climb.

This summer I'll travel to Cebu with a team from SERVE to work with these charities, with the aim of assisting the Presentation Sisters with their work that improves the lives of the Badjao Tribe. Money raised will go towards funding the rebuilding of the Badjao homes that have been destroyed by typhoons, essential education equipment and training and employment for local teachers with the aim of improving literacy.