Trails to Empower Kids

Trails to Empower Kids
(TREK)

Our mission begins where the road ends

At TREK, travel becomes more meaningful when it is tied to purpose.

We are Trails to Empower Kids, or TREK, a non-profit and volunteer-led organization founded in 2007 by mountain climbers and outdoor lovers with a shared mission to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and communities in remote and hard-to-reach areas of the Philippines.

What began as a one-time outreach has grown into a movement rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that no child should be left behind simply because of where they live.

How it all began

We did not set out to start an organization. We just loved the mountains.

It all began on the summit of Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the Philippines. After days of trekking, camping under the stars, and sharing stories, our co-founders JP, Jong, Myrla, Rex, Elias, Noel, and Kelly started talking about something more. We felt a growing desire to give back to the communities that made our adventures feel meaningful.

That idea stayed with us. A few months later, after coming down from Mt. Ugo, we started to put plans into motion.

Our first outreach took place on December 8 to 9, 2007, as part of Kelly’s birthday celebration. We visited Saybuan Primary School in Sitio Saybuan, Itogon, Benguet. Along with friends, officemates, and fellow adventurers, we brought party food, loot bags, games, backpacks, raincoats, and school supplies for 30 students in a small mountainside school.

It was meant to be a simple celebration, but it changed everything. It opened our eyes and our hearts. We knew it would not be our last.

That was how TREK was born.

Since then, we have continued to trek with purpose. We have reached some of the most geographically isolated schools in the country. We have helped repair and rebuild classrooms, install water access points, build toilets, distribute solar lamps and sports equipment, and respond to educational gaps with compassion and care.

The journey has not always been easy, but it has been deeply rewarding. We have seen the smiles of children, heard stories of growth, and built friendships that continue to this day.

TREK has never just been about climbing mountains. It has always been about walking with purpose. It is about showing up again and again for children in the farthest corners of the country and reminding them that they are seen, that they are valued, and that they are never forgotten.

We are still hiking. We are still helping. And we are always inviting others to walk with us. Because every trail we take leads to something greater.

Where the Road Ends, Our Mission Begins.

We go where others won’t — so every child is empowered to learn, dream, and thrive.

For us, travel becomes more meaningful when it is tied to purpose. Every TREK mission brings us to remote and often overlooked destinations, not as tourists but as guests and partners in community building.

While our priority is always the outreach, we also take time to experience the places we visit. We explore local landmarks, enjoy regional food, and appreciate the natural and cultural beauty around us.

These side trips also give us a chance to bond with fellow volunteers. We form friendships during quiet moments, shared meals, and the small rewards that come after a long day of giving.

That mix of helping, exploring, and connecting is what makes every TREK mission special.

Discover the Joy of Purposeful Travel

Joining TREK means more than volunteering. It means stepping out of your routine, seeing the country with new eyes, and being part of something bigger than yourself.

It is a chance to walk with purpose, build relationships, and see firsthand the difference a single act of kindness can make. For us, voluntourism changes the way we see the world and our place in it.

What We Do

Our missions go beyond handing out school supplies. Every outreach is carefully planned to respond to the unique needs of each community. Sometimes that means distributing learning materials or backpacks. Other times it means repairing classrooms, building comfort rooms, initiating feeding programs, or addressing water and sanitation issues.

More than what we bring, we focus on what we build: relationships, trust, and shared experiences between volunteers and the communities we serve. These connections help children feel supported and seen and leave us, as volunteers, forever changed.

Each outreach is a journey of listening, learning, and walking side by side.

Our Commitment

We do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Before every mission, we visit the schools, talk to teachers, speak with parents and barangay leaders, and observe what is truly needed. From there, we co-create interventions designed to make a real and lasting impact.

Over the years, we have responded to a wide range of challenges. These include damaged classrooms, lack of toilets and clean water, nutrition gaps, and even the absence of lights or chairs for students. Whether it is building a handwashing station, donating solar lamps, or providing relief after a typhoon, we focus on solutions that matter.

Our Vision

Our greatest hope is to make ourselves unnecessary.

We dream of a future where every child, no matter how remote their community, has access to quality education, clean water, safe classrooms, and the opportunities they need to thrive. A future where no child has to hike for hours just to get to school. Where no child arrives at a classroom with broken or missing facilities. Where no child sits through a lesson hungry, barefoot, or without basic school supplies.

Until then, we will keep walking with heart, with intention, and always with others beside us.

Empowered by Volunteers

Everything we do is made possible by our volunteers. We are more than 300 strong, coming from all walks of life. We are students, professionals, teachers, artists, parents, doctors, mountaineers, and friends who simply care.

We plan, raise funds, carry boxes across mountains, and sail to distant islands to deliver support directly. We pack donations, host programs, cook meals, take photos, and talk to kids. Every role matters. Every effort counts. And each one of us plays a part in making a mission successful.

TREK runs on teamwork and heart.