AIDFI Hosts 6th Batch of Water Associations

Another batch of 11 Water Associations attended the 3-day workshop themed "Cultivating Communities" on March 18 to 20. The workshop was attended by the Chairperson, Secretary, and Technician of each association, who shared their experiences and issues towards their water system in aspects such as organizational, financial, and technical.

The water communities came from the islands of Bohol, Biliran, Cebu, and Negros Occidental. They represented the following associations:

Anas Water Users Association for Sustainable Development (AWUASD)

Brgy. Anas, Valencia, Bohol

Barenderahan Rural Workers Assocation (BARUWA)

Brgy. Banderahan, Valencia, Bohol

Pasanan Water Association for Sustainable Development (PWASD)

Brgy. Pasanan, Inabanga, Bohol

Cambuyo Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CAFAMCO)

Brgy. Cambuyo, Garcia-Hernandez, Bohol

Hagnaya Water Association for Sustainable Development (HWASD)

Brgy. Hagnaya, Carmen, Cebu

Barangay Camindangan Farm Workers Association (BACAMINFAWA)

Brgy. Camindangan, Cauayan, Negros Occidental

Purok Locsin Farmers and Farmworkers Association (PLOFFA)

Prk. Locsin, Brgy. Igmayaan, Don Salvador Benedicto

Bukidnon Organic Farmers Association (BOFA)

So. Punod, Brgy. Prosperidad, San Carlos, Negros Occidental

Catmon Water Association (CAWA)

Brgy. Catmon, Naval, Biliran

Cabunga-an Water Consumer Association (CABWACA)

Brgy. Cabunga-an, Naval, Biliran

Libtong Water System Water Association (LIWASA)

Brgy. Libtong, Naval, Biliran

On the first day, the participants were inspired by messages from our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Auke Idzenga and the President of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI), Ms. Maria Cecilia Alcantara. They were then updated with the latest holistic program of AIDFI and the Agos ram pump project which has already been implemented in 180 projects. In the afternoon, participants visited the nearby project in Sitio Ananggue in Brgy. Buenavista, Murcia which also features AIDFI's solar operated essential oil production.

The next 2 days focused on problem solving, innovations, impacts of projects, and introduction to the new monitoring app of AIDFI and monitoring system. The summit was ended with a commitment signing on the last day and a fellowship dinner. The participants commited themselves to the Sustainability, Socio-economic, Empowerment, and Environment of their water system and community. Participants returned back to their communities with renewed spirits and inspiration.

We are excited to hear in the future the impact stories and how they are cultivating their community further.