By Amina Swanepoel | Executive Director
Dear Friends of Roots of Health,
We hope this message finds you well, full of hope, and inspired—because we have so many exciting updates to share with you!
1. Sison Partnership: Training in Mindanao Taking Root
We’re happy to share progress from Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines and home to some of the country’s most underserved communities. In the municipality of Sison, Surigao del Norte, local leaders are taking bold steps to address teen pregnancy. Thanks to the steadfast leadership of Councilor Karissa Fetalvero-Paronia, the Sison Primary Care Facility is now applying the Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health modules we introduced during our Training of Trainers (ToT).
In July, we worked with 18 staff, including municipal nurses, Human Resources for Health staff, and social workers, who participated in vibrant, skill-building sessions. Simultaneous workshops were organized for Sison’s Barangay Health Workers who showed up strong with remarkable energy and heart, making this our most dynamic ToT yet!
These local heroes are now championing youth-friendly, non-judgmental care by using our teaching modules in youth education sessions, putting teen pregnancy prevention into practice. We're so proud of their progress and grateful to support them with ongoing technical assistance.
2. New Partnership in Tondo, Manila via TCI
From Palawan to Tondo, our journey brings adolescent-focused care where it’s most needed. In Aroma, Tondo—where youth face overcrowding, early adulthood responsibilities, and heightened vulnerability to risky behavior and abuse—we partnered with the Tondo Community Initiative (TCI) for a Young Couples Communication training of trainers. We equipped TCI staff with the tools to teach consent, healthy relationships, and contraception to young people whom TCI is deeply committed to serving.
Our visit to Aroma was sobering. On the very first day of our training, a massive fire displaced thousands. In that chaos, the despair was real, but so was the resilience of our partners and the community. We believe that, through education and care, we can help young people in Aroma reclaim stability and hope.
3. Celebrating 16 Years of Roots of Health!
We can hardly believe how fast time has flown. We just marked our Sweet 16! Even as rain fell on our celebration, nothing could dampen our spirits. Together as a team, we took time to celebrate how far we’ve come, from our beginnings in Palawan to our growing impact on reproductive health nationwide.
Thank you for each year of trust, partnership, and encouragement. Because of you, more young people across the Philippines have access to care, education, and a better chance at a healthy future.
Keep Growing With Us
Your support makes everything we do possible. Help us reach more young people with the care and education they deserve.
With gratitude,
The Roots of Health Team
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