DAVAO CITY – A charity organization has built a day-care center for indigenous children in one of the most remote barangays here.

The indigenous community of Sitio Pegalongan in Barangay Malamba in the hinterlands of Marilog District is now a beneficiary of a day-care center for almost 300 children.

Malyn del Mundo, chairwoman of the Brightstone Charity Foundation, said the day-care center replaces the dilapidated structure used by the community for 25 years.

Del Mundo added that the old day-care center mostly made of wood now has a concrete floor and metal sheet walls. “It’s enclosed with metal sheets to protect the children from the cold and wind,” she said.

The new day-care center was turned over on Wednesday to the community, along new chairs, tables, and school supplies for children.

Barangay Malamba is over 400 meters above sea level and surrounded by lush forests. It is about four kilometers from the national highway but Del Mundo said it would take about three hours to hike and ride on a makeshift raft or canoe to get there.

Del Mundo recalled that the most challenging part in building the day-care center was the hauling of construction materials due to its distance and accessibility. Funds for the project were donations from generous groups and individuals.

“We cross a single river four times every time we visit the village. It was very difficult to haul the steel bars, metals sheets, and sacks of cement,” recounted Del Mundo, who was once an active mountaineer belonging to the Sandawa Apo Mountaineering and Ecology Club.

The day-care center was finished in five months and P300,000 was spent for construction.

Del Mundo thanked the Philippine National Police-Regional Pulis sa Barangay-Cluster 13 and Davao Mount Apo Sandawa Eagles Club for building the day-care center.

The group distributed hot meals to the community after the turnover ceremony. It is one of the group’s regular activities whenever they are in the barangay to deliver construction materials.

“Our contribution to the community isn’t really that big but we are hoping that the new day-care could provide a more conducive space for the children to learn not just academically but as well as other skills,” Del Mundo said.

With the completion of the day-care center, Del Mundo hopes to build more day-care centers for indigenous communities in remote areas.

The foundation has been serving indigenous communities in remote areas here, distributing school supplies and other basic needs for school children.