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The Badjao Tribe in Davao City Photo essay by alwood wick

In February 2019, a fire broke out in Isla Verde, a seaside community in Davao City and as a result approximately 200 homes were destroyed.

Partnering with local church pastors and community leaders, we helped 150 Badjao families with emergency aid relief goods and as a result, I was able to capture a few images of this beautiful Indigenous people’s group whose culture is being challenged as they battle to find ways to survive in the city as opposed to their traditional life on the sea. They are often known as the Sea Gypsies.

This photo essay attempts to showcase both the beauty and the plight of this tribal community living in harsh squatter conditions here in Davao City.

While waiting for the relief goods we were delivering, families were patiently squatting on the street until distribution started.

Such poise and vibrancy in this tribal group
A beautiful quiet moment shared between friends
You could feel the desperation as mothers lined up for their share of the aid relief materials and food items

Our Team

Our team loving and serving the badjao
Perched in stillness watching over her tribe
This little boys curiosity was palpable as he stared at me taking his photo.
This same boy then attempted to climb the back of our truck; love this little guys determination!
Responsibility at such a young age
Such beautiful children

STRIKE A POSE

Showing her government green card showcasing her rights to aid relief from the local authority
Big sister covering up her little sibling as I took this photo while she was walking a suspended bridge

The tricycle cab is the preferred mode of group transport

Taking the time to sit and watch patiently allows powerful moments and interactions to unfold

Tight bonds between the young and old generation
Focus
I followed this lady until she sat down to drink her 3 in 1 coffee and captured this moment of thoughtful pause.
This young man looked like a little prince in his outfit
Their hands speak volumes
Capturing the spirit of this tribe
Generational Symmetry
Standing quietly behind
It takes a village to raise a child
Our love packs had specific items for the infants all the way to the elderly
The squat is definitely the preferred way of sitting!
We had many mothers asking us for milk for their babies

Check out our short documentary video below of the emergency aid relief outreach.

If you would like to get in touch or partner with us in any way, please message us through either Facebook or send your email to stepenquiries@gmail.com.

www.stepinternational.com

Created By
Alwood Wick
Appreciate

Credits:

Photos by Alwood Wick All Images captured with the Fuji X100 and a Nikon D800 with the 28-300mm lens