Urban Farms PH was established as a platform to provide opportunities for our local planters, who we believed had been overlooked by many. As we stood firm towards our values and essence of our existence, despite all of the hurdles we had due to the travel restrictions and border lockdowns, we finally succeeded in reaching out to our first beneficiary 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 (𝗜𝗣) farmer family.
𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘽𝘼𝙔𝘼𝙉𝙄𝙃𝘼𝙉 𝙎𝙋𝙄𝙍𝙄𝙏.
Despite all odds, the Balabala family of Kiamba, Sarangani Province, strive to live day-by-day while demonstrating one of the most significant Filipino cultural tradition that we must pass on to future generations: the bayanihan system. This value displayed by the entire family drew our attention, prompting us to look closely into their lives in the hope of being able to assist this united family even with the slightest resources that we have.
𝙈𝙀𝙀𝙏 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘽𝘼𝙇𝘼𝘽𝘼𝙇𝘼𝙨.
Living as farmers for decades, the extended Balabala family lives in a barong-barong just beside an estero/canal. The rainy season challenges their living situation as it would impede their passageway towards the main road and would submerge their whole backyard, including their "papag".
In order to have a land to farm on, the head of the family would go house-to-house to solicit information for people who are looking for workers to maintain and work on their land. Once a contract would be set, the entire family would work in the farm for them to survive, and send the young ones to school.
𝙉𝙊 𝘼𝘾𝙏 𝙊𝙁 𝙆𝙄𝙉𝘿𝙉𝙀𝙎𝙎 𝙄𝙎 𝙎𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙇.
During the time of our visit, we asked Tatay Lingwan, 60, the head of the Balabala family, as to what he needs the most to ease his burden and enable him get through his workday. He did not hesitate to answer, "Kailangan jud nako karon ang sprayer kay manghulam lang man ko sa silingan, pero kay nadaot na pud maong problema kaayo namo na karon.” (I really need one [sprayer] right now since the sprayer that I frequently borrow from my neighbor is not working anymore.”)
As our gesture of appreciation for your support towards our brand and your overwhelming feedback, we were able to purchase a brand-new Rechargeable & Battery-Operated Automatic Sprayer, food packs and other basic necessities for our IP beneficiary.
Indeed, there is no such thing as a small act of kindness. With this, may this endless ripple create an impact, not just to the lives of our dear beneficiaries but also to inspire those who are reading this. Together, may we continue to support one another and be able to reach out to more IP families who deserve to be blessed by our humble gestures.