I am MAD (Making A Difference) Volunteers Inc. and Alon and Araw Club (AAC) brought together 27 volunteers and 50 children for the 102nd MAD Camp in Cabangan, Zambales.
This marked I am MAD’s first full co-creation model with another nonprofit. “What’s unique about this camp is that we didn’t just partner with Alon and Araw Club to bring in participants, we co-designed the entire experience,” said Maco Ravanzo, co-founder of I am MAD.
The camp was co-led by Teacher Lourie Garcia, project manager at AAC and a graduate of I am MAD’s 2025 Builders Training Program. “It was exhausting to prepare, but deeply fulfilling,” Garcia said. “All this was for the children’s smiles.”
AAC, based in Cabangan, Zambales, focuses on ocean protection and supporting underprivileged coastal children. While I am MAD led sessions on values formation and storytelling, AAC conducted environmental education, including an eco-village tour and beach cleanup. Their plastic upcycling program has diverted over 25,000 kilograms of plastic from the ocean.
“Environmental issues aren’t always a priority when families are focused on survival,” said AAC founder Gabi del Rosario. “But when you engage youth through values, sports, and storytelling—like we did with I am MAD—you spark interest and ownership.”
A key program component was the MAD Circle, where children wrote letters to their parents after sessions on family relationships.
Registration is ongoing for MAD Camps 2025. Visit bit.ly/MADcamp2025reg donate at bit.ly/bidadonate or email iammadph@gmail.com
