Hi there!
My name is Ryah. I’m a 3rd year BSc in Global Resource Systems student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. I was wonderfully blessed to be Hope for the Island’s first farm intern! My three month internship at HOPE in Siargao (from May to July 2016) was truly one of the best times of my life—lots of hard work, but super rewarding.
At the Organic Farm, I observed first-hand the success of several sustainable agricultural techniques such as crop rotation, integration of livestock, green fertilizers, etc. I had studied these concepts before in school, but it was so refreshing to see them in action at an actual farm. I love how the HOPE farm produces fresh, healthy food for local Siargao communities in a sustainable way – it is good for both the people and the environment.
Over the three months of my internship, I learned so much from the HOPE farm family and I got plenty of hands-on farming experience such as planting and harvesting a variety of crops, removing weeds (“hawa” in Siargaonon), and shovelling/harvesting some good ol’ goat manure (excellent for the plants, but definitely not good for the nose – ha-ha). My Excel/Word skills came in handy as well to enhance the efficiency of record keeping at the farm.
In addition to farm work, I participated in HOPE’s Kids and Youth Ministries, sharing God’s love and His Word with others. It was such a blast to work with children and young adults in the Siargao community. In the process of ministering to others, I was also ministered to by the HOPE staff and established positive relationships with them; it was a great pleasure to work and serve alongside them.
Altogether, my experiences during the internship were invaluable; I loved getting to know the people and integrating into the Siargao community. I have gained so many wonderful friends and been blessed with plenty of treasured memories.
I thank God so much for bringing me to HOPE, it has been a huge blessing in my life; He certainly provided guidance and protection throughout my stay. I would also like to thank the HOPE leadership team and staff for their hard work and dedication in the service of the Lord and of their community, and for giving me the opportunity to do my internship in Siargao. I am so happy and grateful to be a part of the HOPE community, and I hope to go back to Siargao in the future!
Please continue to read how Ryah’s time at Hope impacted her family and our Hope family.
Hi, Derek and Jenn.
We would just like to thank you for giving Ryah the opportunity to do her summer internship at Hope for the Island.
She had a great time, learned a lot from the organic farm and the ministries, but mostly gained wonderful friends!
It is truly a blessing to her and we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to you and the Hope staff both in the farm and the compound for all your help and assistance during her stay there.
May the Lord’s blessings be upon you all always and all the best and more power to Hope for the Island! May the Almighty Father continue to bless many through your programs and ministries!
Shalom!
In Christ,
Eric & Lourdes
Hi Mr and Mrs Rondolo,
Thank you also for entrusting your daughter to us. You have done a great job raising Ryah in the Lord. She has a big heart that is evident in the way she served and loved while here. We pray God continues to stir her heart for missions and that what she learned here will impact her life and relationships back home. We also pray God leads her or someone like her to come back some day to continue to labor alongside us for the Kingdom of God! Scripture rightly says, that the laborers are few and the harvest is plentiful!
All glory and honor to Jesus!
In Christ
Derek
