The Yellow Boat of Hope

Jay Jaboneta published a status on a social networking site in the late 2010 sharing the story of the children in Zamboanga who had to swim just to be able to go to school. 

But first, who is Jay Jaboneta? Jay Jaboneta was born in Cotabato City, Philippines and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce Majoring in Management Accounting with a minor in Philosophy in Ateneo De Davao University.

He is the man behind Hungry People, a website for leaders and other individuals who are hungry for ideas worth spreading. 

He was the first Filipino who appeared on a TEDx Talk.

He was also one of the Yahoo! Philippines' Pitong Pinoys (Seven Pinoys) awardees in June 2011. 

But most importantly, Jay Jaboneta is the Fire starter and the Chief Storyteller of the Yellow Boat of Hope. 

Late 2010, when he found out that there were children in Zamboanga, Philippines who had to swim just to be able to go to school. he published the story on Facebook and instantly moved friends that started the Philippine Funds for Little Kids.

  

Philippine Fund for Little Kids raises funds to build these children boats and provide for their other needs. The Yellow Boat Project, a campaign that become a global movement.

The first boat, which became a symbol of hope, they gave to the community was named New Hope because they believe they are not just providing a vehicle that can ferry the children to school, they are also providing them hope and optimism. 

The Yellow Boat Project is currently present in three communities: Layag-Layag, Brgy. Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City; Isla Mababoy, Brgy. Guinhadap, Monreal, Masbate; and Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.

 Jay Jaboneta's HOPE theory:

H-harnessing your potential/passion

O-open your mind/open your heart

P-perspiration

E-empower others

Jay Jaboneta on success: "Personal success for me is finding the courage to stand up every time we fail. There will be always adversities in life; the challenge is how we respond to. 

Jay Jaboneta is an ordinary individual with an extraordinary idea that has started a global movement for charitable causes for our fellowmen, proving that no individual is too little or too insignificant when it comes to changing the world for the better.

"I have to stress though that the real heroes of our story are the children who used to swim to school. They are the brave heroes in our story. I am just the storyteller." -Jay Jaboneta

The story has been told, the people listened, and help came. Perhaps what seemed to be a trivial status on a social network can create a wave of change--a change that helps improve the lives of the little children who are now rightfully hailed as heroes.