Fifteen years ago, Roots of Health set out to transform lives through access to reproductive health care. Today, because of your unwavering support, we’re reaching more marginalized communities, expanding beyond Palawan, and pioneering new ways to serve. Your generosity pushes this progress, ensuring no one is left behind.

Reaching the Marginalized

In 2024, we focused on bringing our programs to new communities and populations:

• Indigenous Communities: During Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month Outreach, we provided contraceptive services and reproductive health education to IPs, including regular outreach to the sea-dwelling Badjao community.
• People with Disabilities (PWDs): Our clinical team were trained in Filipino Sign Language, ensuring equitable care for deaf and mute clients. During National Disability Rights Week, we provided sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services for differently-abled individuals from all of Puerto Princesa’s 66 villages (barangays). We also empowered them to continue accessing SRH services.
• People Deprived of Liberty (PDLs): At the Correctional Institution for Women in Puerto Princesa, 73 women learned about breast and cervical cancer, modern contraceptives, and reproductive health. 
• People in Extreme Poverty: In partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, we held Youth Development Sessions in 15 villages, educating cash transfer recipient youth on reproductive health.

• New Communities Reached: We trained 185 youth and 49 health workers in two major cities of the National Capital Region, marking our expansion beyond Palawan.

Strengthening Health Systems

With your help, we’ve expanded training, influenced policy making, improved public health data, and reinforced local health services:

• Empowering Frontline Workers: We trained 378 government and community leaders, including barangay health workers, community-based HIV screeners, and Youth Council (Sangguniang Kabataan) members, to deliver high-quality health services and information. 
• Youth Leadership and Policy Influence: We helped young people shape Puerto Princesa’s 2024-2026 Local Youth Development Plan, prioritizing teen pregnancy prevention, rising HIV cases, and adolescent sexual and reproductive health education (ASRH). As the Center for Youth Participation – Health Representative, we ensure youth health remains a governance priority.
• HIV Prevention and Local AIDS Council: We strengthened the Puerto Princesa Local AIDS Council, advocating for increased budgets and enhancing the city’s HIV/AIDS response.
• HIV Data Advancement: The integration of our data into the Department of Health’s One HIV, AIDS, and STI Information System now improves HIV data tracking and resource allocation.

Expanding Knowledge and Awareness

Your support helped us reach more young people with vital sexual and reproductive health information:

• Comprehensive Sexuality Education: 4,846 young people received comprehensive sexuality education in schools and communities. 
• Digital Advocacy: Our Facebook reach totaled 12.5 million, with 5 million video views and nearly 10,000 direct messages answered.

Providing Critical Health Services

Thanks to your generosity, more people have access to essential reproductive health care:

• Family Planning and Contraception: In 2024, 4,283 women received contraceptive care, bringing the total number of women protected from unplanned pregnancies to 17,145—including those who had previously accessed long-acting contraceptives.
• Prenatal Support: 195 pregnant clients received vital antenatal care.
• HIV Testing Growth: We conducted 1,852 screenings—our highest annual number yet.

Expanding Partnerships and Innovations 

• • Corporate and Institutional Engagement: We brought reproductive health education to more workplaces – such as mining corporations and hotels – and nursing and midwifery departments of local universities. 
  • Youth and Community Engagement: We expanded beyond schools, reaching youth through Boys and Girls Scout encampments, festivals, and village-led education sessions.

• Education through Menstrual Pads: In partnership with an international ad firm and a top feminine care brand, we shared ASRH knowledge through illustrated stories on menstrual pad packaging, launching at Palawan’s largest high school. 

Your Support Helps Us Grow and Thrive 

These milestones show the power of collective action. For 15 years, your support has helped young people and communities across the Philippines access vital knowledge and services.

Now, we’re ready to take the lessons from Palawan and expand nationwide.

Donate today to sustain and expand our impact, and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram.