THE LEARNING BOATS
Checking in on The Philippines Foundation and their Learning Boats project
“There’s no question about it that you can really change the fiber of a nation by educating it’s youth.” — Evelin Weber
In November 2013 , Typhoon Haiyan — one of the strongest tropical cyclones recorded in history — devastated areas of Southeast Asia, particularly the 7,641 islands known as the Philippines. Also known as Super Typhoon Yolanda, the storm ravaged the majority of the Philippines for over one week before leaving behind a staggering display of destruction:
- 11.2 million people affected
- over six thousand people died
- four million people displaced
- nearly six hundred thousand homes destroyed
With the Philippines prone to earthquakes and typhoons due to it’s proximity to the equator and location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Typhoon Haiyan became the thirtieth-named storm of the Pacific typhoon season of 2013.
Philippines native and The Philippines Foundation creator Evelin Weber felt compelled to assist in the subsequent reconstruction.
Weber began restoring her homeland and the people affected by a storm so destructive, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration retired the name Yolanda from the typhoon naming lists and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific / World Meteorological Organization Typhoon Committee retired Haiyan from its lists.
“There’s not an obligation on my end to do it. But I am from the Philippines, and I think there’s a sense of patriotism; there’s a sense of almost responsibility.
It’s just something that I do and who I am, and I think that everybody at some point should give back to the world outside that’s greater than themselves. Everyone should live beyond themselves at one point in their lives.” — Evelin Weber
Weber and her small team of four likeminded altruists drafted numerous creative ideas before honing in on their current masterpiece: Learning Boats.
The concept behind their Learning Boats vision is simple in intention yet complex in execution: the Foundation fabricated and donated one hundred fishing boats to the fishermen devastated by Typhoon Haiyan and the aftermath.
The boats are then expertly painted by local artists, with unique conceptual education visions displayed on the sides of each boat. The local teachers and volunteers then use the painted boats as a means for education, with lessons including the alphabet, colors and anatomy.
“The unique element of this is that it actually targets three things — two things predominantly: it tackles education — both formal and informal — and livelihood by poverty-alleviation. The third element that’s very interesting is art and the creative. That element often times doesn’t get integrated into many social endeavors and entrepreneurship or programs.” — Evelin Weber
With the fishing boats now dually acting as vessels and classrooms, Weber was able to see the appreciation for her work on behalf of The Philippines Foundation:
“Everyone from fishermen to local government units have really responded well to it. To me, it’s just really doing something. Not just creating a livelihood — the impact is greater than just the boat. It’s putting food on the table, it’s educating a child, it’s empowering the family. It makes me feel good that one project can have such an impact beyond the most obvious.”— Evelin Weber
While Weber was previously honored and recognized at the United Nations in September 2015 for her work in global education, she has no plans to slow down her increasingly effective and creative international philanthropy centered around youth and education.
“The more you water a seed — the more you nurture a seed — the healthier that plant or that fruit will blossom, grow and be bountiful. There’s no question that you can really change the fiber of a nation by educating it’s youth. The more you invest in kids who are going to shape your future, the more things will change for that country. I’m working with kids because they’re the future shapemakers.” — Evelin Weber
Written By: Matteo Urella / May 2016
Photography:
