
On December 8, 2020, it was raining hard in Lamut, Philippines. Despite second thoughts, seven Rotary Club of Lamut members joined staff from Ifugao State University (IFSU)-Lagawe campus, as well as members of the 1404th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army Reserve Command and the Hingyon Municipal Police on a long and slippery hike to Humalophop Elementary School located in rural Hingyon in Ifugao province. To get to Humalophop one must hike through the forest, mountains, and rice paddies on a narrow path for 2 to 4 hours, depending on whether it is dry season or wet season. Bridges over creeks are often two slippery logs laid next to each other. Why would seven Rotary Club members walk through the hard rain during the wet season, up mountains and through rice fields, going to a very far place with university staff, soldiers and police? This is our story.