10/05/2026
🍄 Harvesting Hope: How Mushroom Farming Changed Lives of Blind Gardeners
Some of the mushroom beds have fully bloomed and are now ready for harvest, marking a meaningful milestone for a community livelihood project proudly led by the Rotary Club of Creative City Baguio.
This initiative stands as a key flagship project under the club’s Economic and Community Development program, chaired and overseen by Director Ruby Gunn, who closely monitors and guides the continuous progress and growth of our beloved Blind Gardeners group. Designed to create sustainable income opportunities for vulnerable sectors in the community, the project provides complete mushroom farming kits, technical training, and ongoing support specifically tailored for blind gardeners aiming to expand, strengthen, and scale up their existing small-scale businesses.
This meaningful program was originally conceptualized by IPP Olay Audrey, brought to life with the unwavering support of PP Jerry Chan, and made possible through the dedicated efforts and generosity of the men and women members of the Rotary Club of Creative City Baguio.
Under the visionary and dynamic leadership of our Club President, Alah Sungduan — who played a MAJOR role in the planning, approval, and successful implementation of this project — the club remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusive growth, Service Above Self, and uplifting the lives of those who need it most. Her strong leadership, guidance, and genuine care for the community were the driving force that turned this beautiful idea into reality.
We are overjoyed and proud to share a beautiful milestone: the very first harvests were successfully gathered on May 6, 2026 and May 10, 2026. These fresh, high-quality mushrooms were immediately sold to Green Plant Powered Kitchen — a wonderful partner who believes in this advocacy and supports the fruits of hard work and resilience. For the blind gardeners, this is far more than just a sale or an additional source of livelihood; it is a moment of pride, validation, and hope. It proves that their skills, their care, and their dedication produce something valuable, delicious, and worthy of being shared with the community.
Mushroom farming is uniquely well-suited to their abilities, as the process can be effectively managed through touch, smell, and consistent routine care — making it a truly inclusive and accessible enterprise. Every basket harvested represents not just produce, but dignity, empowerment, and the beautiful truth that ability knows no limits.
Through this initiative, the Rotary Club of Creative City Baguio continues to fulfill its mission of service to humanity, proving that community development works best when it is inclusive, empowering, and deeply tailored to the real needs and capabilities of the people it serves. This project highlights how small but heartfelt interventions can make a huge difference in uplifting lives, giving vulnerable individuals the opportunity to build better, more secure futures for themselves and their families.
