Last year, this Mindanaoan blogger had the most amazing opportunity to tour the USA courtesy of the US Embassy. I was chosen for the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), a program launched in 1940 that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully-designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders.
This year, a fellow Mindanaoan will have the chance to visit America. This time, to attend an international summer camp in the U.S. called “Camp Up With People.” And what’s also special about this is that the Mindanaoan is a young indigenous student 🙂
Meet Arjean Marie Belco, who is from the Talaandig tribe in Bukidnon, Mindanao. GoodX, a project started by experiential travel advocates, in partnership with her current college sponsor, Cartwheel Foundation, is helping Arjean Belco attend the summer camp.
Both GoodX and Cartwheel Foundation are raising funds both online and offline to cover part of Arjean’s camp tuition fee, domestic and international airfare, travel insurance, passport application, visa application, and other related expenses.
At the summer camp, Arjean will take part in performing arts, leadership training, community service and outdoor activities in a culturally diverse atmosphere. The camp will help Arjean and her fellow campers nurture qualities such as social responsibility, confidence and purpose while encouraging lifelong international friendships to flourish.
Arjean hopes to become a professional teacher someday and is currently enrolled at the University of Southeastern Philippines and the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Education in Davao.
If you or anyone you know want to support Arjean and her journey to the USA, please visit the GoodX website. Thanks 🙂
Good luck, Arjean! Proud of you! And thank you to GoodX for believing in Mindanao and its indigenous peoples 🙂
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Mindanaoan is a multi-awarded blogger, content creator, seasoned social media strategist and publicist with undeniably successful track record. 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program (for global leaders) alumnus and O visa grantee (for people with extraordinary skills and who have risen to the top of their field). Avid traveler and a proud relief operations volunteer. Regular resource person for social media, blogging and content creation. Available for work and travel – [email protected]
what a wonderful opportunity this is for Arjean! I hope she learns lots of things and this will not only open her mind, but her people’s as well 🙂
BTW, I’d like to inform you that your layout is not very responsive. I’m currently subscribed and often read in my tab but it’s not in it’s best shape. It gives me a narrow view and pictures are often cut so i have to click on the image and when I’m done viewing it, go back to the blog to finish my reading. It’s tasking and maybe other readers feel this way as well.
Thanks Penda for dropping by 🙂 Salamat kaayo for following my humble blog, too! Yes, I’m changing my blog theme in a few days – just met with my tech team. Will let you know once things are in order! 😉
Re: Arjean – I agree. This is definitely an amazing opportunity for her. I hope that more IPs from Mindanao get to see the world! 🙂
This is really nice and sweet. How can the government can not provide such programs? Or why am I even asking? Anyways, best of luck to Arjean and may you lead as an inspiration to your countrymen.