This pandemic has been challenging for everyone especially for those who provide the needs of their families. A lot of workers lost their jobs resulting in losing their source of income. Some reached out for financial help through different social media platforms, like Twitter, but a different situation happened with the Jeepney Drivers in Quezon City.
Jeepadala’s founder and head of Kalinga sa Panahon ng Pandemya Donation Drive, Jemimah Ladeza, witnessed the way jeepney drivers begged for money and in-kind donations in the streets. She got to interview some of them and before they parted ways, Jemimah asked for their numbers for easier communication. On her way home, she thought of an idea that will help the jeepney drivers and fast forward – Jeepadala started around June 2020 and is in effect today.
Jemimah, together with other volunteers, worked hard to look and ask for monetary and in-kind donations with the help of social media. The Jeepadala team did not disappoint as they were able to raise 22,557.00 pesos and were able to buy and repack 35 relief goods, 40 food packs, 40 alcohol bottles, 1 sack of rice, 3 boxes of face masks to jeepney drivers equally. They were also able to partner up with certain organizations like Kaloob Initiative that gave 20 relief goods to the jeepney drivers.
“Tayo madalas ang hinahatid ng mga jeepney drivers, ngayon, tayo naman ang maghatid ng tulong at ayuda sa kanila sa panahon ng pandemya” as stated by one of the volunteers in the team of Jeepadala.
News popped that some hospitals are short in face masks and some hospitals stated that the government is not giving them enough goods that they need during this pandemic. And so, Jeepadala gave 9 boxes of facemasks to certain hospitals that they contacted. The organization was also able to give 3 boxes of clothes to the homeless people.
Jeepadala’s concept is flexible. It can be used as a courier if you have a business and you might need a hand when delivering goods or if you are going to move houses and you might need a hand with your things. They are accepting bookings through their social media accounts namely:
- Facebook: Jeepadala
- Instagram: @jeepadala
- Twitter: @jeepadala
Jeepadala is an organization that gives jeepney drivers the chance to earn for their families in the midst of the pandemic.
