Village Connect
In a small corner of Quezon City, a quiet but powerful movement has begun—one that proves big change can start with small footsteps. In Barangay Matandang Balara, children as young as 10 years old are no longer just students and neighbors. They are now guardians of health, carrying a mission that could save lives.
This initiative comes from The Sandy Project, which recently launched its “Dengue Police” campaign by deputizing 10 student-volunteers from the Feria Community. Their task is simple but vital: look for stagnant water, check possible mosquito breeding areas, and remind families that dengue prevention begins at home. Through this effort, the message is clear—health protection is not only the job of hospitals or doctors, but of every household and every street.
The campaign was created to make dengue awareness active, not passive. Instead of just posters and lectures, it places children at the center of change. Working with barangays and schools, volunteers are carefully selected and trained before being officially “deputized,” giving them a sense of pride and responsibility. The first group in Old Balara now conducts regular patrols around their neighborhood and school areas, serving as young role models for cleanliness and discipline.
During the kickoff, The Sandy Project founder Ma. Louella Martinez-Aranas led the call with a line that quickly stayed in people’s minds: “No lamok. No dengue.” Her words reminded everyone that without breeding grounds, mosquitoes cannot survive—and without mosquitoes, dengue has no place to grow.
The children are not alone in this mission. Barangay Kagawad Marilyn Diche and volunteer mother Rose Alcazer guide and support them, ensuring safety and consistency. Their barangay already shows what commitment looks like—clean streets, organized garbage containers, and a community culture that values order and hygiene.
This advocacy carries deep meaning. The Sandy Project began in 2013, the same year Martinez-Aranas lost her 10-year-old daughter, Sandy, to dengue. What started from grief has grown into a nationwide call to action—turning pain into purpose and loss into life-saving action.
As the rainy season continues, the Dengue Police will expand to more communities. Their presence is a reminder that heroism does not always wear uniforms—it can also wear school shoes, carry notebooks, and knock gently on doors to say: let’s keep our homes safe, together.
Loading…