Filipina Is World’S Most Outstanding Volunteer Awardee

[Papa Carl]

http://goodnewspilipinas.com/2013/10/31/filipina-worlds-outstanding-volunteer-awardee/

 

A young Filipina has garnered global pride for the Philippines when she was given two of the most coveted awards at the 2013 Global Awards for Fundraising in Amsterdam, The Netherlands last October 16.

Alexandra “Alex” Eduque is the first Filipino and youngest winner of any award given by Resource Alliance, the lead organizer of the awarding ceremony.

“I still am in disbelief over my win, as I really did not expect it at all. I was extremely happy flying to Amsterdam because I was short listed as a finalist. To me, it was a feat in and of itself. When my name was called as the winner of the Outstanding Volunteer Award, I remember I was in a daze and how I wish I could rewind back to that moment to just see it all over again,” said Alex. “When my name was called again at the end of the night as the first recipient of the IFC Choice Award, the feeling was indescribable. I remember going on stage amidst cheers and claps, and when I turned around, there were over 1000 people cheering me on – the same people who voted for me. I was in complete awe of their warmth – definitely one of the best moments of in my life.”

This 23-year-old with a heart of gold was recognized as Outstanding Volunteer by the prestigious international award-giving body for her tremendous contributions to Habitat for Humanity Philippines, which she has been a part of since she was 15 years old, and her founding of the HFHP Youth Council when she was 20 years old with her friends and fellow volunteers Kaye Yang, Isabel Martel Francisco, Henny Zobel de Ayala and Michaela Eduque. She was also chosen by over 1000 of her fellow delegates to become the first ever recipient of the IFC Choice Award.

“Alexandra’s voluntary work, spanning advocacy and fundraising, impressed us all through laying the foundations for lasting impact. As a young volunteer she has already made a considerable difference to the lives of the people supported by Habitat for Humanity in the Philippines and is an inspiration to others,” said Neelam Makhijani, Chief Executive of the Resource Alliance.

Having been a part of Habitat for Humanity Philippines for the past 8 years, Alex can attest to how much the organization does for the underprivileged. HFHP goes beyond just building homes and providing sustainable livelihood; they empower people and give them the opportunity to change their lives for the better.

As an ambassador of HFHP, Alex takes on the organization’s vision of “a world where everyone has a decent place to live” by raising money, building houses and inspiring other young individuals to join in and become a builder of homes and lives – every chance she gets.

In the past four years alone, she has not only raised over 100 million pesos to build over 500 houses, she has also helped mobilize over 8,000 volunteers across the country and spearheaded the disaster-response program of the organization, which has helped over 28,000 families across the nation.

Graduating from Columbia University earlier this year, Alex comes back better equipped for the work she loves with a degree in Political Science and Urban Studies – something she plans on utilizing in her social advocacies.

On top of working with Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Alex continues to find other ways to help the marginalized – especially in her personal life. One such example is when she helped raise funds to build 18 homes for the needy on her 18th birthday.

“With privilege comes responsibility. That’s how we were brought up,” shares Alex. “I saw from an early age how my grandmother did what she could to help the underprivileged. I was inspired by her countless and tireless efforts in bringing about change and that’s something that I want to be to other people – an inspiration to do good.”

She has gone beyond her comfort zone with HFHP to establish MOVE.org Foundation in November of last year, a non-profit organization that aims to provide quality early childhood education to the marginalized. With this, she proves that people need not see youth as an impediment to helping others who are less fortunate, but as a driver towards achieving something great.

 

Papa Carl

[MacBubba]

“With privilege comes responsibility. That’s how we were brought up,” shares Alex. “I saw from an early age how my grandmother did what she could to help the underprivileged. I was inspired by her countless and tireless efforts in bringing about change and that’s something that I want to be to other people – an inspiration to do good.”

 

Bravo!