BY WAYLON GALVEZ
Jiu Jitsu world champion Meggie Ochoa and her 2008 batchmates at Poveda are collaborating in a fundraiser dubbed Sweat to Protect as it aims to increase awareness against online sexual child abuse.
Ochoa said there have been reports of illegal activities by organizations using Internet as a tool to exploit some vulnerable communities even at these trying times, what with the country still struggling to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
“Ngayon may lockdown tayo sa bansa because of the health crisis, and talagang maraming tao ang nawalan ng trabaho,” said Ochoa in a telephone interview.
“Now they’re very vulnerable to these predators (online in exchange for money). This project, ina-address niya yung ibang problems na meron yung mga tao like food package distribution.”
The workout fundraiser will have “Project S.A.F.E.”, or Support and Awareness to Fight Exploitation as beneficiary. It is a community-based effort by the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries that targets the rising cases of child trafficking.
The area of Tatay, Rizal and Iligan City have been identified as targets for food donations, including the needs for lactating mothers, and orientation regarding the fight against online sexual child abuse.
Sweat to Protect will feature a series of workout sessions such as yoga, high intensity interval training, dance fitness, and jiujitsu fitness by Ochoa, who won the 2018 JJIF world title.
The batch is hoping to raise at least P600,000 so it can distribute 1,100 Safe Packages and 70 Enhanced Safe Packages for lactating mothers. Participants will also get a chance to win exciting raffle prizes.
To join in and get an active workout fix, interested parties can register by donating to Project S.A.F.E. via the link bit.ly/projectsafe2020.
