While most of us had to stay and work from home, some chose to be outside their safety zones to maintain order and give comfort during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Referring to some, we have youth individuals- our OURmindaNOW Tech Camp Alumni, who heeded the call to serve the most vulnerable communities in Mindanao. Let us tell you how they are coping with the ongoing health crisis and what keeps them busy.
Being on the frontlines

Standing up on the frontlines is perhaps the most challenging task during this pandemic. Not only it poses physical risks but it also challenges both mental and social well-being, and chances of being infected are high.
But as for Zuar Ampatuan from Sultan Kudarat, it is his prime duty to keep the smooth flow of operations in the province. As an Information Officer and Head of Monitoring Team under the province’s relief operations unit, he spends his time monitoring all the major entry points in the province.
“As a frontliner, my time for my family is too limited as I need to focus and maximize my time to ensure that our constituents are informed and that safety measures are implemented”, said Zuar.
Yet even with this situation, Zuar continues to stay where he is called upon. By doing his best in all aspects of his duties as a public servant and as a fellow citizen, the community is in safe hands. He acknowledges that at times like these, sacrifices have to be made especially by those on the frontlines, for the sake of everyone’s safety.
A nurse in the making

Health professionals are on the spotlight as the world continues to fight against the coronavirus. And in this battle, they are the ones who can help us survive from the disease yet the most vulnerable to getting infected.
Second year nursing student from Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City, Amina Shayne Halil, shared that the pandemic has caused her fear as a future health worker.
“I’ve seen how health workers are being treated. They are undermined, undervalued and underpaid. They are also not protected and some are left to succumb to death due to lack of support”, shared Amina, expressing her personal frustrations on the situation.
As of April 2020, about 1,000 health workers have been infected with the virus, and some unfortunately died and left their duties.
Despite seeing these harsh realities and the challenges the pandemic is bringing, Amina even more realized how noble it is to become a nurse in the future. “This motivated me to do better – for me to be able to serve the people and to emulate the Nurses’ Creed heartily”, she added.
As one of the million students in the country whose classes are temporarily suspended, Amina makes most of her quarantine time doing relief operations for students stranded in the city. She is also currently working on an initiative called the “The Milk Bank Project” which aims to provide milk supplies to infants and children in Zamboanga City.
Taking the classroom online
Classes may have been suspended but it does not mean that knowledge-sharing also stops. This holds true to Abdul Rahman “Abd” Alongan, a faculty of the Social Work Department of the Cotabato City Polytechnic College.
“Since the community quarantine started, I kept myself busy and protected my mental health through engaging online and offline activities. I did some online classes for my students and am currently doing online psychosocial support”, shared Abd.
Reports on individuals with mental health issues started to increase since the community quarantine was imposed. This has moved Abd to be part of a free and confidential Psychosocial Support and Psychological First-Aid online program. In addition to that, he also does webinars on mental health.

Aside from offering psychosocial support, Abd also found his way to be part of a youth-led group that started the ‘Mobile Kapagatul’- a donation drive effort that sponsors Iftaar packs (ready-to-eat foods) for Muslim families who are low-income earners and are forced to stay at home during the Ramadhan. ‘Kapagatul’ is a Maguindanaon term for ‘to serve’.
“This effort really means a lot to us, Muslims, because since the community quarantine started, these families (that we are helping) hardly sustain their daily needs especially now that it is Ramadhan,” said a grateful Abd after sharing that in just a matter of less than a week, 700 families in selected barangays in Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Datu Odin Sinsuat and Datu Blah Sinsuat, Maguindanao have already received Iftaar packs.
Putting the talk to action
The youth’s response to COVID-19 speaks of an overwhelming ability of putting ideas into action, of being able to feel the urgency and respond to the needs of the people in the time of crisis.
“This is the time when we should be putting ourselves in other people’s shoes- those who are greatly affected by this pandemic”, said Amina.
Abd, on the other hand, believes that we are all resilient as long as we work together and support each other.
Indeed, the youth is not turning their backs on us but are now on the frontlines.
Other alumni are also doing their own ways to help while being at home and are active in relief efforts in their respective communities across Mindanao. Keep posted on their updates by following our social media handles!