Roots of Health

Roots of Health We envision a Philippines where everyone exercises their sexual and reproductive health and rights free from stigma and discrimination.

Year 3 of PAD-ibig Diaries is happening tomorrow—and we’re heading to the largest high school in the country, Parañaque ...
19/02/2026

Year 3 of PAD-ibig Diaries is happening tomorrow—and we’re heading to the largest high school in the country, Parañaque National High School!

Every year, Roots of Health brings PAD-ibig to life together with Charmee and BlackPencil Manila. Through free sanitary pads in thoughtfully designed packaging, we’re able to reach more young women with important, easy-to-understand information about s*xual and reproductive health care.

Because access to pads should also mean access to knowledge, confidence, and care.

We’re excited for what tomorrow will bring. Stay tuned for the highlights 🥰

Dear Charmee friends,

PAD-ibig Diaries 3.0 is happening! And it’s going to be in the biggest high school in the Philippines, Parañaque National High School!

It’s a yearly event that’s made just for teens so we can learn more about reproductive health and feminine care in a safe space.

See you there! 💙

✨ In 2025, we dared to try new things. We reached new communities, teamed up with new partners, and took our trainings t...
16/02/2026

✨ In 2025, we dared to try new things. We reached new communities, teamed up with new partners, and took our trainings to new parts of the country. Expansion hasn’t been easy, but every challenge helped us refine our strategy.

From clinics and classrooms to communities and city halls, more young people asked questions. More women accessed services. More partners opened doors. And more supporters helped make our work possible.

Every number here represents real people choosing health, safety, and informed decisions for their futures.

𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

This year, we worked with new partners like Rotary, ViiV Healthcare Positive Action Fund, Stairway Foundation, Tondo Community Initiative, and local governments in Sison, Calapan, and Puerto Galera.

We strengthened our national partnership with the Department of Education, which invited us multple times to train teachers and school staff. Together, we worked on integrating non-judgmental reproductive health education into school curricula and school-based health programs.

With these partners, we explored new ways of delivering care and adapted education programs, serving people in communities Roots of Health hadn’t worked in before. We embraced the process of learning, experimenting, and growing along the way!

The need for safe, non-judgmental s*xual and reproductive health services remains urgent in the Philippines. Young people continue to seek accurate information. More communities are opening conversations that were once difficult. At the same time, we are navigating real challenges like misinformation, persistent stigma, and shifting funding landscapes. Yet even amid these pressures, we see progress: stronger partnerships, wider reach, and deeper trust within the communities we serve.

These milestones aren’t just statistics. They’re clear signals that change is taking root, and that collective effort truly makes a difference. The groundwork is set for us to take even bolder steps in 2026!

***
Get the stories behind every milestone and be part of the growing community supporting this work. Sign up for our newsletter → http://eepurl.com/gLzzVL

Valentine’s came early in Aplaya. Puerto Princesa City. 💘We brought free contraceptive services, mamon, cool safer s*x s...
13/02/2026

Valentine’s came early in Aplaya. Puerto Princesa City. 💘

We brought free contraceptive services, mamon, cool safer s*x stickers, and condoms — but more than that, we brought conversations, laughter, and care.

Because love isn’t just flowers and chocolates. It’s showing up for your health. It’s looking out for each other. It’s building a community where everyone feels safe, informed, and supported.

Happy Hearts Month from all of us at Roots of Health 💕

Family planning counseling without supply erodes trust, and people stop coming back. Thanks to DKT Health, Inc. we ensur...
29/01/2026

Family planning counseling without supply erodes trust, and people stop coming back.

Thanks to DKT Health, Inc. we ensure a full range of contraceptive options – condoms, pills, injectables, implants, and permanent methods like ligation and vasectomy – are available for free at our clinics and in remote communities in Palawan.

That’s why our Executive Director, Amina Swanepoel, was honored to share our story at DKT’s national kickoff conference today.

Each of our outreach is powered by systems: logistics, trained providers, trust-building, and strong partnerships like DKT’s. These are what allow us to change families' futures again and again, and expand care beyond Palawan.

For us it’s clear: When supply, education, and trust align, contraception becomes more than a product—it becomes freedom to shape lives.

Here’s to a year of impact, innovation, and expanding futures! 🚀

How does an organization address s*xual health stigma in the Philippines?Catch our Executive Director - Ami Evangelista ...
23/01/2026

How does an organization address s*xual health stigma in the Philippines?

Catch our Executive Director - Ami Evangelista Swanepoel alongside two community panelists as they share their experiences and insights in tackling reproductive health issues.

Register here for the Online Webinar: https://form.jotform.com/260007625850250

Wednesday, January 28th 4:30-6:30PM PST / 7:30-9:30PM EST
Thursday, January 29th, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM Philippine Time

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫Roots of Health is looking for a Partnerships Coordinator who will manage multi-st...
22/01/2026

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫

Roots of Health is looking for a Partnerships Coordinator who will manage multi-stakeholder networks and local government engagement. This is a full-time position based in Metro Manila (preferably in Caloocan City) with a one year contract, subject for renewal on funding availability.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥:
• Serve as a key liaison with multi-stakeholder groups, local partners in Caloocan city, and Save the Children Philippines
• Coordinate meetings, validation sessions, trainings, and advocacy activities
• Build and sustain partnerships with the City Health Office, barangay health stations, and Tala Hospital
• Support child-led groups in governance participation and policy development
• Track advocacy actions, commitments, and policy progress
• Prepare reports, documentation, and monitoring data for project and donor reporting

We’re looking for someone who is organized, relationship-driven, and passionate about advancing adolescent s*xual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR).

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 🩷 Click here to know more about this position: https://rootsofhealth.org/job-opening-partnerships-coordinator-3/

WE’RE HIRING: CLINIC PHYSICIAN 🚨Join our mission to deliver accessible, high-quality, client-centered HIV care. We’re lo...
12/01/2026

WE’RE HIRING: CLINIC PHYSICIAN 🚨

Join our mission to deliver accessible, high-quality, client-centered HIV care. We’re looking for a Clinic Physician who will serve as the Head of our HIV Treatment Facility, reporting to the HIV Program Director and working closely with our HIV and AIDS Core Team (HACT).

In this role, you will:
✔️ Provide comprehensive HIV, PrEP, and STI clinical care aligned with DOH guidelines
✔️ Lead antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, monitoring, and management of co-morbidities
✔️ Deliver mental health, s*xual and reproductive health, and general wellness consultations
✔️ Collaborate with nurses, case managers, pharmacists, and program staff for holistic care
✔️ Ensure proper documentation, quality assurance, and ethical, non-discriminatory practices

If you’re a physician who believes in compassionate care, teamwork, and health equity, this role is for you.

📩 Apply now and help strengthen the HIV care continuum in our communities.
https://rootsofhealth.org/job-opening-clinic-physician/

Because of 𝐲𝐨𝐮, we did something extraordinary.Through your generosity, Pamana more than doubled its $18,000 goal, raisi...
10/01/2026

Because of 𝐲𝐨𝐮, we did something extraordinary.

Through your generosity, Pamana more than doubled its $18,000 goal, raising $𝟒𝟓,𝟓𝟓𝟏.𝟔𝟗 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟔𝟔 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 across multiple giving channels.

This is more than a fundraising milestone. It is a powerful vote of confidence in young people, in communities, and in the belief that harmful cycles can be broken.

Your decision to give means that more will have access to credible s*xual and reproductive health information, compassionate services, and the support they need to build 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬. It means fewer futures defined by circumstance, and more shaped by intention, care, and dignity.

As the world continues to feel uncertain, with economic pressures and global tensions always in the headlines, your generosity stands as a quiet source of stability – a reminder that compassion still moves people to act, and that hope can grow even in difficult times.

We promise to steward these resources with care and purpose. From all of us at Roots of Health, thank you for believing, for giving, and for walking alongside us.

We are also deeply grateful to everyone who shared our stories, engaged with our content, and encouraged others to give. Your voices helped carry Pamana further than we could have imagined.

We hope you’ll continue to follow our journey by subscribing to our newsletter here: https://tinyurl.com/3d9a26t4, so you can see the impact your generosity creates, celebrate new milestones with us, and stay connected to the stories of young people whose lives you help transform.

The need is ever-present, and your ongoing support in 2026 can continue to make a real difference this year and beyond.

We empower young people through age-appropriate, inclusive reproductive health education. We also train teachers and youth leaders to guide others in making informed, healthy choices

Roots of Health is seeking a highly organized and proactive 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 (𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞) to support the Executive Direct...
09/01/2026

Roots of Health is seeking a highly organized and proactive 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 (𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞) to support the Executive Director and the organization's leadership team. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, he/she will manage schedules, coordinate communication, organize meetings, and assist with board and organizational initiatives.

This position requires discretion, strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, and alignment with the organization’s values of empathy, integrity, empowerment, innovation, and excellence. The EA will play also play a key role in maximizing leadership effectiveness and supporting the organization’s mission in a fast-paced nonprofit environment.

Interested applicants may check out this link for the complete job description and requirements: https://rootsofhealth.org/job-opening-executive-assistant-remote/

✨ “Leadership isn’t always glamorous — but it changes lives.” ✨Our Executive Director, Amina Evangelista Swanepoel, was ...
05/01/2026

✨ “Leadership isn’t always glamorous — but it changes lives.” ✨

Our Executive Director, Amina Evangelista Swanepoel, was featured recently in Rappler for her lifelong dedication to advancing dignity, rights, and reproductive health for women and young people in Palawan and beyond.

The writer says that walking through our clinic and community spaces "felt like stepping inside a living manifesto of compassion" and that Amina's work "reminds us that development is not measured in impressive metrics but in whether people feel safer, healthier, and more human."

We’re truly humbled by this recognition.💛

Read more ➡️ https://www.rappler.com/business/opinion-lessons-asia-society-fellows-philippines-good-leadership-2025/

Do we teach business to make profit, or do we teach business to make impact?

Before the year ends, we honor the parents who walked through our clinic doors and shared their dreams for their childre...
30/12/2025

Before the year ends, we honor the parents who walked through our clinic doors and shared their dreams for their children through Pamana.
Across these letters, a quiet truth emerges: parents wish for their children to grow up with their needs met, and to be kind. Nothing extravagant, just safety, dignity, and the freedom to become their best selves.

These are the same parents or future parents who chose to care for their reproductive health and plan their families. Their gentle wishes remind us that family planning is, at its heart, an act of love and responsibility for the future.

By supporting Roots of Health, you help more families make these choices, so more children can grow up secure, cared for, and full of hope.

Join us in passing on this pamana. ❤️🌿
https://donorbox.org/pamana

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re sending you a special gift… all of us at Roots of Health! 🎁 Your trust, support, and sha...
25/12/2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re sending you a special gift… all of us at Roots of Health! 🎁 Your trust, support, and shared commitment to healthier communities made this year meaningful beyond words. 💖

May this holiday season remind us that together, we can keep giving care, hope, and love in every little way. 🌟

Address

455 Main Street
Puerto Princesa
10044

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

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Information + Access = Change

Roots of Health was established in 2009 by Dr. Susan Evangelista and her daughter, Amina Evangelista Swanepoel. Susan was teaching at Palawan State University in Puerto Princesa and was concerned about unplanned pregnancies and the lack of reproductive health knowledge among her students. Amina had just completed a double Masters Degree in International Affairs and Public Health at Columbia University in New York City.

The two women felt that together they could share reproductive health lessons with women and young people in marginalized communities, thereby improving health and the general quality of life in this very poor province of the Philippines. Shortly after starting the program, women asked them for clinical services and Ami and Susan realized that health knowledge needed to be matched with easily available and free clinical services. Thus began the Roots of Health approach of coupling education with services.