Across the Water: A Story From Lambac, Cardona

Lambac is unlike many other places we serve. I chose this location because I have a volunteer here — someone I truly trust and can always count on. But Lambac is also unique in another way: it is far from the city and accessible only by boat.

It takes about 30 minutes by boat to reach this community. Life here moves at a different pace. Most families depend on fishing in the lake as their primary source of income. There is no hospital, no college or university, and no large grocery stores or supermarkets nearby. Everything the families need requires time, travel, and effort.

During typhoon season, life becomes even more difficult.

When storms hit, families are often left without food. Government officials try to help by distributing dry goods, but not everyone is reached. Some families are missed, and that gap becomes a serious problem — especially for those who already live day to day.

This is where community steps in.

A college classmate of mine volunteers here, and together with their family, they helped support fishermen’s families by providing food, clothing, and other basic necessities. One of the most meaningful forms of support was providing solar lights.

When electricity goes out — sometimes for a week or longer — families are left in complete darkness. These simple lights allow them to move safely, care for their children, and get through the nights with dignity.

This place is not unfamiliar to me.

I first visited Lambac years ago while attending a friend’s wedding. I stayed for a week, long enough to understand what daily life looks like here. I saw clearly who was privileged — and who was not. Sometimes, you don’t truly understand a community until you walk alongside its people, share their meals, and see how they live when no one else is watching.

Lambac taught me that isolation is not just about distance — it’s about access.
Access to food, to light, to healthcare, to opportunity.

And when those things are missing, even small acts of support can change everything.

This story is about trust, teamwork, and showing up — even when it means crossing water to do so.

Because for the families in Lambac, every visit, every package, and every light matters.