Promoting the rights and welfare of marginalized groups in her birthplace, the Philippines
January 9, 2024
"I was assigned San Jose de Buenavista in Antique and was responsible for organizing official government meetings that focused on how to improve the education system, women’s health, and poverty within the province, said Alagos."
Her internship perfectly aligned with her dream to start a foundation to improve the lives of the people in the Philippines.
“During my first week, I planned and executed a community outreach program for Alvaniz, a remote town in Antique. They were affected by the tropical storm, Paeng, in 2022 and their roads still had not been fixed. The only way to get to their homes was by crossing four rivers every day, and when it rains, the river gets flooded, so they are isolated from the town center where they procure their daily needs,” said Alagos.
She worked with local officials to coordinate donations of school supplies to the elementary school and relief packs for over 80 families.
“The people of Alvaniz were very thankful, and I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with them,” she said.
Although finance is her major, Alagos says that the internship gave her an opportunity to connect with her health studies minor.
She added, "The internship exposed me to many issues within Sustainable Development Goals,” – a collection of seventeen interlinked objectives designed to serve as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet created by the United Nations. The collection includes poverty, hunger, and gender equality – some of the top issues for the people of Antique.
After her experience, Alagos recommends all students take advantage of the many opportunities Richmond has to offer to expose students to world.
“My dream has been to give back to my community, and I did by starting with outreach. It may not be as big as other charities and corporations, but it was big to the people and to me. I am so grateful for the donors who support UR Summer Fellowships for making this opportunity a reality for me. I have not been home in my birth country in ten years, and this opportunity not only widened my knowledge of the Philippines, but also gave me the chance to see my family," she said.