MISSION

Enhance a Village, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing poverty in developing nations by educating communities and helping them gain access to sustainable farming methods and technologies with an emphasis on good stewardship to the environment.

Alfonso Gaerlan Galarpe Jr., founded Enhance A Village from the vision of his late mother Paz to empower and improve people's lives in impoverished rural areas through sustainable solutions, prioritizing self-sufficiency and independence. Instead of relying on traditional ongoing fundraising models, EAV seeks to become redundant from self-sustaining communities. With your support, EAV can make a lasting impact on poverty and create a more equitable world.

Discovering the Hidden Gem of Kuyaoyao: A Picturesque Village in Quezon Province, Philippines

Kuyaoyao is a small barangay located in the municipality of Calauag, in the province of Quezon, Philippines. As of the 2020 Census, the population of Kuyaoyao was 476, which represents 0.66% of the total population of Calauag. The village is situated in a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by warm temperatures, high humidity, and heavy rainfall throughout the year. Kuyaoyao is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with hiking trails that lead to the scenic Kuyaoyao Hilltop. One popular trail starts near Tinambulan Elementary School, and takes visitors through the green forest side of Calauag, featuring several muddy areas and uphill sections. It is recommended to register at the barangay hall before starting your adventure. The best time to visit Kuyaoyao is from January to March, June, and August through December, when the temperature is warm and there is little precipitation. The highest average temperature in Kuyaoyao is 33°C in April and the lowest is 28°C in January. The village is also easily accessible, with Naga Airport being the closest at 115 km away, followed by Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila at 149 km away, and Legazpi City International Airport at 183 km away. Kuyaoyao covers an area of 119 km² and uses the Philippine peso (PHP) as its currency. The area code to call Kuyaoyao is +63. Visitors to Kuyaoyao can expect a warm welcome from the friendly locals and a chance to explore the natural beauty of this hidden gem in Quezon Province.

Enhance A Village chose the village of Kuyaoyao for its mission and vision due to its natural beauty, rich culture, and potential for sustainable development. Kuyaoyao is a picturesque village that is home to a small community of friendly and hospitable locals, and offers visitors a chance to explore the natural beauty of Quezon Province. As a sustainable development organization, Enhance A Village may have seen the potential to work with the local community to support initiatives that would improve the livelihoods of the residents while preserving the natural environment. 

Clean Water

Did you know the lack of access to safe and sustainable water sources is a major global issue affecting billions of people, and the Philippines is no exception? While 91% of the country's population has access to basic water services, this access is not evenly distributed and often falls short of meeting basic needs. The poorest quintile of the population is particularly vulnerable to inadequate water services, with only 80% having access to basic water services (Two billion people lack safe drinking water, more than twice lack safe sanitation, 2017)...

Education

Did you know one in six Filipino kids will never attend school? Further, only seven out of ten kids will complete elementary school. Of those seven kids, only four will complete high school, and of those four, only one will proceed on to university. The main reason for this? Poverty. 

A college education has been an elusive dream for most kids in the villages. Most do not finish high school simply for the reason of the children trekking miles or crossing the ocean to get to school. Others are needed...

Food Security

Did you know undernutrition is, and has always been, a serious problem in the Philippines?  This problem is largely driven by inadequate access to nutritious food, lack of nutrition education, as well as poor health and sanitation services (Undernutrition in the Philippines: Scale, Scope, and Opportunities for Nutrition Policy and Programming, 2021).

According to the National Education Association, missing meals and experiencing hunger impair children’s development...

"FMDV" by AJC1 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Disease Prevention

Did you know half of Filipinos don’t have access to a nearby primary care facility?  (Mirasol, 2022). Enhance a Village aims to address the lack of primary care facilities in the Philippines by implementing disease prevention and mitigation initiatives. We will distribute vaccines and test kits, provide education on health and hygiene, and improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities. Our goal is to create a healthier, more resilient community.

The Village of Kuyaoyao

View photos of the Village of Kuyaoyao.  From this gallery you can see the Apad River delta that spills into the sea and nearby offshore coral beds.  Also notice the Mangrove Trees that line with waterways, the bamboo and the coconut trees. One of the Philippines' most incredible business ventures is the growing of sugar cane, hence the Coca Cola Company.

Kuyaoyao Data Maps

Learn the locations and borders for the properties.  Kudos to Monique Reid (Brazil) and Tito Young (US/California)  in preparing and planning these maps