Thursday, August 11, 2016

Attending the IsraAID Philippines Bloggers' Conference

  

While it is true that the main niche of my blog is beauty (and sometimes style and fashion), it doesn’t mean that I should be sticking to just that especially when there’s a lot more that I would love to share with you all. Blogging for me is not just a hobby. Blogging is also a responsibility. I believe that us, bloggers, need to use our influence to be able to create a positive and relevant impact to the society.

Me with a colleague on field. We're visiting the beneficiaries of our Community Development program in Bicol
Big words, eh? Well as much as it all sounds so prestigious and grand, it’s the small simple things that we do and post that matters. What do we believe in? What do we think matters? How can we contribute? Write about those and educate people. As some of you may have already known, aside from blogging I also work full-time for an NGO. I’ve been with our organization for 5 years now and as much as some people think NGO work and beauty & fashion blogging do not jive together, I say be whoever you want to be!

Netanel Nisan, Country Director of IsraAID Philippines
So when IsraAid opened a bloggers’ conference last July 25, 2016 at Barbara’s Heritage Restaurant in Intramuros, Manila and found out about how they’ve been in the Philippines since the Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan to my international readers) incident, I told myself, “I should be there!”

First of all, what is IsraAID?

IsraAID has become synonymous with a rapid response to humanitarian crises. Its medical teams, search & rescue units, post trauma experts, community specialists and other Israeli professionals have led international relief teams in natural disasters and civil strife around the world.

Here in the Philippines, IsraAID first arrived to help the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Currently, their running projects in Ormoc City are the following:

Photo courtesy of IsraAID Philippines
Psyco-Spiritual Support Training – They have cooperated with the Ormoc City Department of Education to institutionalize the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Program in all of the schools across the city.

Photo Courtesy of IsraAID Philippines
Agriculture Training – They have imparted their farming knowledge from Land preparation, Compost preparation, Crop planning, Nursery, Irrigation, Plant protection, weed control, Crop managements and up to Post-harvest to the locals. They aim on helping provide a sustainable means of living and an affordable approach to vegetables and fruits.

Photo courtesy of IsraAID Philippines
Emergency Medical Response and Preparedness – They have recruited medical personnel trained to respond during emergency situations. They will also be creating a stock for medical supplies and medicines for this purpose.

With fellow bloggers and some of the BOT of IsraAID Philippines (Photo courtesy of IsraAID Philippines)
IsraAID Philippines is currently looking for other partners to help them with expanding their programs and services in other parts of the country. As a matter of fact, I brought a colleague from work to the event who handles partnerships and collaborations with other like-minded institutions and organizations. She was able to talk to one of IsraAID Philippines’ board about their (and our) agriculture program. Turns out, they “sort of” know each other through another organization who also has projects in Ormoc. Small world!


For more information about IsraAID, you may visit their website at: www.israaid.org or send them an email at: israaid@gmail.com. You may also send them donations by click THIS or check them out on Facebook.

How about you, do you have an advocacy and/or an organization you support? 

53 comments:

  1. Wow thank you for sharing this organization... what they do is amazing! =)


    - Cielo
    Mermaid in Heels

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  2. The extent of influence bloggers have is actually astonishing. It is amazing how you get emails from people all over the world and let you know how much impact you had on them. So yes, I agree with you that blogging is a responsibility. We can't just put out there whatever you want. Yes, it is your personal space and you can say whatever you want but there is a limitation to that and whatever it is you put out there is your responsibility. And who said working for a NGO and blogging about beauty don't jive? I work for the government and I blog about travel, fashion, and beauty (not politics because I am not prepared to handle sensitive topics like that). :)

    Jenn
    The Pink Lemonade Girl
    YouTube
    Bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admire bloggers who go beyond and use their influence for a bigger purpose. :)

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  3. Yes blogging is like magic and I love it :) Everything especially altruistic, and things that matter is very thought provoking and helpful.

    <3 | X ALY | Aly In Wanderland | LATEST: Pretty Pink Cutie Ribbons | feat off shoulder

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  4. Seems it was a very nice and interesting event!
    Nice photod, as well!
    xxx
    S
    http://s-fashion-avenue.blogspot.it

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  5. oohh.. interesting event. :) you sure had a lot of fun.

    xx,
    Jewel
    www.jewelclicks.com

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  6. You are simply amazing, girl. I really respect and admire the heart you have for bringing awareness to causes and organizations like this. You are so right in that as bloggers, we have such an influence and platform that we really should be utilizing to draw awareness and attention to a larger scope outside of the materialistic round. Now that I'll be moving this upcoming weekend to a new state and city, I've been thinking of getting more involved in helping the community once I'm settled in because I truly believe that if we're doing well, we can and should look for ways to give back. Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring all of us with this post and I hope you're having the most amazing week so far, gorgeous!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    www.thestylecontour.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jalisa! And good luck with the moving. Hope you had an amazing week! :)

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  7. Wow, what a nice event. When I first saw the title I thought this is going to be about a bunch of girls and a whole lot of make up - I guess I was wrong :D I find it awesome that you use your blog not only to share make up trends and outfits but also rise awareness to social projects and organisations.
    Sending much love!
    Xx
    Rosa Larissa Klara
    conscious lifestyle of mine

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  8. Blogging is amazing and there is no reason why we should limit ourselves to small niches. IsraAID sounds like an amazing organisation who does an important job.

    www.mydailywear.co.uk

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  9. This was an interesting and informative post. Thanks for sharing other positive things that you are affiliated with.
    www.comfycozyup.com

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  10. Thank you so much my dear!

    This post is super inspirational and helpful :D

    I'm a new GFC follower. Can you follow me back?

    NEW REVIEW POST | Yves Rocher: Illuminator Pencil and Radiant Youth Concealer
    InstagramFacebook Oficial PageMiguel Gouveia / Blog Pieces Of Me :D

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  11. I believe bloggers have a strong influence that no matter what field they wish to pursue, they can influence greatly! :) Glad you did this, Gel! :) You go beyond your blog to reach out and further learn!

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  12. I agree that as bloggers we have a responsiblity to impact the society. I love that you choose to be part of these event which was totally for a great cause and I applaud you for that! And I believe that you are not only a fashion and style blogger but also a lifestyle blogger which means you can also blog about other relevant things which are not only fashion. Thanks for sharing!
    www.fashionstylemogul.com

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  13. This is so wonderful! Thank you so much sharing xx

    http://www.thatnewdress.com

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  14. Glad to see you attended such an event! Seems so interesting!

    I answered your question on my blog! Thank you for taking part!!
    Dora www.BangsBang.com

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  15. You are an amazing woman! I love that you use your blog to get info out about important issues and companies. I agree that blogging is a responsibility. I definitely take it seriously in that I never lie and everything I write is completely truthful. But we really do have more power than that. As bloggers we have the power to literally change the world if we wanted to. I mean we're also called 'influencers' for a reason! I love seeing when women take their blog to that level and give back to humanity or support causes they really believe in. If I am ever in the Philippines we're definitely grabbing some milk tea and chatting. ;)

    -Emily www.coatandcoffee.com

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    Replies
    1. Yes! Hope you can visit the Philippines. Would love to show you around. :)

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  16. This is a side of blogging that not many people bother writing about, the extend of our influences and the outreach are huge. It's good to write and promote humanitarian causes, lord knows the world need more positive vibes these days.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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    Replies
    1. I make it a point to always include my advocacy in my blog. :)

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  17. Hello, Gellie! ♥

    You have such a kind heart. I have been into these kind of projects before when I was still at school. I can't say that I'm pretty much active, but hopefully someday I will. But during my free time I sometimes share and retweet posts from Unicef Philippines to let other people be aware of such issues. And they call us "virtual volunteer." :)

    Hope to hear from you soon!

    Love, Airish
    Gorgeous Glance ♥
    www.airishabella.blogspot.com

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  18. It's so awesome you've collaborated with this organization. They do so many wonderful things! To reach out and actually help others says so much. It should make you feel good. You're providing a wonderful service to others.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  19. The blogger conference sounds like an interesting event. I hope you had a great time there!

    www.thequinoxfashion.com

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  20. Wow this looks like such a fun event! glad you had a good time!

    Darriyan xo
    www.darriyancateland.blogspot.com

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  21. This is amazing! I agree, bloggers have some sort of influence and it's great you attended this event and blogged about it! :)

    -Jannette | The Diary of a Daydreamer

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  22. Neat post!! You got a lot out of this conference!! What a good opportunity and moment to learn some great refreshing insight on the world of blogging.


    Amber
    All the Cute

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  23. That's SO cool your blogging is being put to good use! Hooray! XO
    Lauren-Blair
    www.gracerock-kellyroll.com

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