Nanay Bibo - A women run eatery and training space

Dear friend,

Warm greetings from Siargao.

As we move into the middle of the year, we're grateful to share another update with you. Over the past few months, our Maternal Empowerment Program has continued to grow through nutrition education, wellness, community gatherings, and learning opportunities that support mothers in caring for themselves, their families, and one another.

Your continued support makes this work possible, and we're excited to share some highlights with you.

Here are a few updates since March 2026:

Since our last report, 54 mothers have participated in our weekly and monthly workshops, and 119 supplemental meals have been served, continuing to provide nourishment during pregnancy and early motherhood.

From February to April, we welcomed a Master's student from Utrecht University in the Netherlands, who conducted research on gendered livelihoods and climate resilience in North Siargao. Many women from our Maternal Empowerment Program and our team members participated, sharing their experiences of caring for their families while navigating environmental and economic change. The research found that women in our communities are not passive in the face of climate challenges - they stay, rebuild, adapt, and continue caring for those around them. Kolekbibo was highlighted as an important source of support, helping women access skills, income opportunities, and community. The findings will directly inform how we strengthen our programs moving forward. You can explore the interactive Story Map from the research here: https://arcg.is/10brCy2

In April, we launched Inahan sa Lamisa, Lider sa Komunidad (Mother at the Table, Leader in the Community), an eight-part workshop series in Nuevo Campo, one of the more remote barangays in North Siargao. Throughout the program, mothers explored practical nutrition, breastfeeding, preparing healthy meals using local ingredients, and family wellbeing. Together, we discussed shared household responsibilities and exchanged ideas for creating healthier homes. We concluded the series by preparing a nutritious meal together, with each mother receiving workshop handouts and ingredients to recreate the recipes with their families.

For Mother's Day, we gathered to celebrate the incredible women in our program. The day began with gentle breathwork and yoga before mothers reflected on what it means to be both a mother and a woman. We were honored to be joined by Philippine actress Andi Eigenmann, who shared in the conversations alongside the mothers. Together, everyone wrote messages of encouragement and advice on paper butterflies - small but meaningful gestures of lifting one another up. We shared music and dance, enjoyed a healthy meal together, and each mother received a bouquet of flowers in appreciation of the care they give every day.

In June, we began a formal evaluation of our Maternal Empowerment Program with the support of an external consultant. By gathering feedback from mothers, staff, partners, and community members, we hope to better understand the impact of the program, identify areas for improvement, and ensure we continue meeting the evolving needs of the families we serve.

We also welcomed a visiting doctor from the Netherlands, who partnered with the nurses of San Benito Rural Health Unit to facilitate a workshop on the menstrual cycle. Using the seasons as a guide, mothers explored the physical and emotional changes experienced throughout the cycle, and the nutrition, movement, and self-care practices that can best support each phase. It was a grounded, honest conversation, and one the mothers responded to warmly.

Looking ahead:

In August, we will participate in the San Benito Buntis Congress, where we will continue promoting maternal health and nutrition while connecting with expectant mothers across the municipality.

We will also begin analyzing the evaluation data collected over recent months to better understand our impact and use these learnings to strengthen future programming.

Many mothers have also expressed interest in learning financial literacy and exploring livelihoods through creative expression. In response, we will begin offering workshops that build financial confidence while introducing creative, income-generating opportunities that align with the interests shared by the women in our program.

Why this work matters:

The women in our programs continue to remind us that resilience is built not only through knowledge, but through relationships. By creating spaces where mothers can learn, reflect, connect, and support one another, we are strengthening confidence, improving health, and creating opportunities that extend beyond individual families. Every workshop, shared meal, and conversation helps build stronger communities where women are recognized not only as caregivers, but as leaders and changemakers.

Thank you for continuing to stand alongside the mothers of North Siargao. Your generosity helps create opportunities that are shaped by the women themselves and grounded in the strengths of their communities.

With gratitude and warmth,
The Kolekbibo Team

Links:

• Story Map - Staying and Making Futures