IN A remarkable and historic achievement for the Philippines, the Kiwanis Club of Stunning Davao took home the Gold Award at the 2025 Kiwanis International Signature Project Contest, held during the recently concluded Kiwanis International Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Representing the Kiwanis Southern Philippine District, Kiwanis Club of Stunning Davao’s project, “Nature Warriors: A Kid Learns to Protect Nature,” was chosen from among 519 entries submitted by Kiwanis clubs around the world, earning top honors for its innovative and impactful approach to environmental education for children.
What makes the recognition even more notable is that the Kiwanis Club of Stunning Davao is only three years old, yet has already made a global mark. This is also the first-ever global gold award received by the Southern Philippine District, bringing immense pride to Davao City. This award underscores the potential of local initiatives to earn global recognition and make lasting change.
“It is a tremendous honor, and we are deeply grateful for this recognition,” said Dr. Mary Aidine Galvan, president of the Kiwanis Club of Stunning Davao.
District Governor James Edwin Go of the Kiwanis Southern Philippine District also emphasized, “This award reflects Kiwanis’ unwavering dedication to service and strengthens our willpower to continue nurturing children as future guardians of the environment.”
The “Nature Warriors” project engages young people in protecting nature through hands-on learning, clean-up drives, tree planting, and awareness campaigns, fostering early environmental responsibility.
The Silver Award was presented to the Kiwanis Club of Sydney from the Australia District for its project, Kiwanis Sydney Comfort Care Cases, while the Bronze Award went to the Kiwanis Club of North Suburban, Saint Paul of the Minnesota-Dakotas District for its Kiwanis Malt Shop project at the Minnesota State Fair.
Meanwhile, the Kiwanis Southern Philippine District is now in full swing with preparations for its Golden Jubilee celebration, scheduled on September 6–8, 2025, in Davao City, the very place where the organization was founded 50 years ago. Kiwanis International, for its part, marked its 110th anniversary in January 2025.
