PEACEPATHS Newsletter1.1 JulDec08

PEACEPATHS:A Journey toSustainable Peace

IP, Muslim and Christian Youth gatherfor KALINDOGAN 2008

WHAT’s INSIDE?

Peace Tree launched

Panaw Kalilintad sa Sumilao

Potable Water System

Relief Assistance extended to Displaced Families

Peace Forum held

Community Peace Dialogues

Intensive Training on SA Technology

New Hope for Tri-Peoples of Zamboanga

More than just a program, PEACEPATHS is a journey of Assisi Development Foundation Inc. (ADFI) with war-torn communities that aspire for genuine and lasting peace.(continued on page 2)

The 3rd Indigenous Youth Conference for Peace dubbed as “KALINDOGAN 2008”, was held at the University of South Eastern Philippines, Mintal Campus last October 20-22, 2008, with the theme, “Role of Youth in Building Sustainable Peace through Intercultural Dialogue and Solidarity.” (continued on page 5)

PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENHANCEMENT FOR PEOPLE’S ACTION TOWARDS HUMAN SECURITY

The Official Biannual Newsletter of Assisi Development Foundation, Inc. PEACEPATHS ProgramJULY to DECEMBER 2008 Vol 1. No. 1

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(continued from page 1)Building on the successes of the Integrated Return and Rehabilitation Program in 2006, PEACEPATHS has gone beyond the extension of relief and rehabilitation services to war-torn communities. With peace building at its core, it aims to develop the capabilities of communities in preventing conflicts and building peace in a sustainable way.

This year, PEACEPATHS accompanies seventeen conflict vulnerable communities in Mindanao in their journey towards a vision of peace and security --- where there is “freedom from fear, freedom from want, and freedom from humiliation.”

Together with the communities of Bangsamoro, Lumad, and settlers, PEACEPATHS is committed to search for new ways of building peace in the face of renewed armed hostilities and unrest in some parts of Mindanao due to the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last August 5, 2008.

PEACEPATHS: A Journey to Sustainable Peace

PEACEPATHSJuly - December 2008 Vol 1. No. 1

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artwork credit: BTFFI

“Peace in Mindanao-Now Na” was one of the peace yells chanted by the teachers, students, and community leaders during the Peace Tree Launching at the University of South Eastern Philippines (USEP)-Mintal Campus last December 3, 2008.

The Peace Tree Launching was one of the PEACEPATHS activities for the Mindanao Week of Peace. It was made possible through the collaboration of USEP-Mintal Campus, ADFI-PEACEPATHS Program, Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Education, and the peace building communities assisted by PEACEPATHS.

Located at the heart of the USEP Campus, the Peace Tree serves as a reminder of the University’s commitment to promote peace and non-violence, as well as, a symbol of its solidarity and support for the peace efforts of tri-people communities in Mindanao. In her Peace Tree Dedication message, Rachel Daonlay, 3rd Year Pamulaan Student, challenged everyone to nurture their commitment to peace because… “Peace is like a tree that grows when cared for, but dies when neglected.”

Sixty community peace builders from different parts of Mindanao visited the Sumilao Farmers in Bukidnon last December 4, 2008 to celebrate the Mindanao Week of Peace.

During the visit, the Sumilao Farmers candidly shared to the group their non-violent struggle to reclaim their land. They gave personal testimonies on what transpired during their much publicized 60-days walk for land and 30-days fasting in Manila.

As an expression of solidarity to the Sumilao Farmers, the community leaders lit candles and planted trees within the fifty hectares farm land that was reclaimed by the farmers.

Peace Tree launched inUSEP-Mintal Campus

Panaw Kalilintad sa Sumilao: Journey for Peace in Sumilao

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Last November 5, 2008, Lumad and Christian settlers gathered at the Sinuda Barangay Gym to celebrate the turn-over of potable water facilities installed by ADFI-Environment and Resource Management Program in Sitio Tulay, Pamulaan and Kabalansian, Barangay Sinuda.

The installation of the water facilities was a fruit of collaboration between ADFI and the three communities. While ADFI provided materials and technical expertise, the communities contributed gravel and sand, and free labor to ensure the completion of the project.

During the turn-over ceremony, an indigenous ritual was performed by the tribal elders to thank God for the gift of water, and to pray for peace and harmony within and among the different tribes in Mindanao.

The PEACEPATHS team together with church partners delivered relief assistance to around 6,500 internally displaced families in Lanao and Cotabato Provinces last August to September 2008. Said families fled from their villages during the encounter between elements of the MILF and the government forces after the aborted signing of the MOA-AD between the government and MILF peace panels.

Medicines and food items, such as rice, noodles, dried fish, can goods, were given to the displaced families who were staying in crowded evacuation centers.

No. of Displaced Families ServedLocation No. of Families

Munai, Lanao del Sur 1,800Sultan Dumalongdong, Lanao del Sur 1,000Balindong, Lanao del Sur 700Pikit, Cotabato 2,000Midsayap, Cotatabo 1,000

Potable Water System installedin Sinuda, Bukidnon

Relief Assistance extended to Displaced Families in Lanao and Cotabato

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PEACEPATHS organized a two and half-day Peace Forum last August 24-26, 2008 at Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Education, USEP-Mintal Campus.

Professor Rudy Rodil, a member of the government peace panel and a distinguished Mindanao historian, was invited during the forum to shed light to the controversial Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) between the MILF and government.

As a response to the MOA-AD controversy, fifty forum delegates resolved to conduct peace dialogues in their localities in order to update their community members about the issue, and to strengthen local peace mechanisms, thereby preventing animosities among Muslims and Christians in their communities.

(continued from page 1)The Conference provided venue for 250 youth from different Lumad, Muslim and Christian organizations and communities to experience how to live, discuss, work, and pray together despite differences in ethnic and religious backgrounds.

On the 2nd day of the Conference, the youth participants witnessed the inauguration of the Living Heritage Center at Pamulaan. The center showcases the history and current realities of the indigenous peoples in the Philippines.

At the end of the Conference, the youth participants came up with action plans and project concepts on how to promote peace in their organizations and communities.

IP, Muslim and Christian Youth gather for KALINDOGAN 2008

Peace Forum held in Pamulaan

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Despite differences in culture and ethnic origin, fifty nine farmers bond together to establish communal farms and learning center in Limpapa and Lamisahan, Zamboanga City.

The farms were donated by the farmers themselves. Bamba Bakil Gumandao, Subanen tribal leader, donated a hectare of land, while farmer-leaders in Lamisahan gave a parcel of their farm land. This initiative came about after the farmers attended a series of Sustainable Agriculture Seminars organized by Ateneo de Zamboanga University - Center for Community Extension Services (ADZU-CCES) in the 4th Quarter of this year, as part of its peace building program in the area.

The farmers also contributed in the fencing and construction of their learning centers. The learning center is used for the functional literacy classes of 20 preliterate adults in each community. Para-teachers from the communities are trained and supervised by CCES to conduct said classes.

What is unique in this literacy program is that its curriculum integrates literacy, functional skills, and peace building. As a matter of fact, classes start with a Peace Pole activity, where participants hold on to colored ribbons attached to a center pole, signifying their interconnectedness despite differences in cultures.

Before the semester ends, a Culture of Peace Workshop shall be conducted, involving not only the participants, but other sectors (children, youth and adults) as well. -ADZU-CCES

VOICES OF THE FARMERS

“Slash and burn is not sustainable farming… Use of organic matter or biomass within the farm is beneficial to the farmers… Use of animal waste for fertilizer reduces farm expenses… Use of indigenous plants endemic in the area would help control insect pests and diseases… Organic fertilizer processing is very simple and requires less work.”

Sustainable Agricultureand Literacy:New Hope for Tri-Peoples of Zamboanga

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Three months after the aborted signing of the MOA-AD between the government and MILF forces, representatives of tribal elders, barangay council, religious groups, farmers, women and youth gathered for a community peace dialogue in seven conflict affected areas in Mindanao, particularly in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and Davao del Sur.

The peace dialogues were organized by the PEACEPATHS to provide spaces for the communities to vent out their views and feelings on current realities in Mindanao, and to surface out people’s agenda for sustainable peace. Eighteen community leaders and five Pamulaan students were trained last October24-26, 2008 to assist the PEACEPATHS team in facilitating the dialogues.

It is hoped that these peace dialogues will contribute to the promotion of the Culture of Peace among Muslim, Lumad, and Christian communities in Mindanao.

35 farmers from 17 communities joined the Intensive Training on Sustainable Agriculture Technology, sponsored by the PEACEPATHS Program last November 6-10, 2008.

The farmers spent five days at Piniyalan Farm to learn various techniques on organic farming, such as contouring, bio-intensive gardening, and organic fertilizer processing. They likewise visited METSA Training Center and SA practitioners to know about fish culture, livestock raising and diversified farming.

Inspired by their 7 days experience, the farmers committed to start their own organic learning farm and to share their learning to their community members.

Community Peace Dialogues conducted in 7 Conflict-Affected Areas

Farmer leaders underwent Intensive Training on SA Technology

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PEACEPATHS Communities’ Vision“USeP Mintal an institution where peoples and other creatures are valued with dignity, justice and compassion.”- USeP-Mintal

“Kaming mga mamayan ng Brgy. Badak, Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat, ay nagsisikap na magkaroon ng maunlad at mapayapang pamayanan sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan sa mga gawain, may pagkakaisa at respeto sa kultura ng bawat isa, nagmamahalan at laging nasa puso ang Diyos o Allah.”- Brgy. Badak, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Shariff Kabunsuan

“Kabag-ohan, kauswagan sa kinabuhi,maayong pagdumala, hustisya ug kalinaw.”- Purok 9 and Kabalansian, Brgy. Sinuda, Kitao-tao, Bukidnon

“Ang Panaw Sumilao MPC nagatan-aw nga aduna’y pagsinabtanay ug paghigugmaay sa usag-usa mapalumad man, kristiyano ug muslim; adunay sakyong edukasyon panginabuhi ang matag tawo aduna’y pagprotektar sa kinaiyahan saktong pagdumala sa mga leaders, pamilya ug labaw sa tanan aduna’y hugot nga pagtoo sa Dios aron magmalipayon ug magmalinawon.”- Sumilao Farmers, San Vicente, Bukidnon

“Ma-organisa ang mga katawhan alang sa lumadnong pamaagi sa pagpanguma aron sa pagpalambo, pagpabalik, pagprotekta sa kinaiyahan sa yutang kabilin.”- Purok 9 and Kabalansian, Brgy. Sinuda, Kitao-tao, Bukidnon

“Magkaroon ng isang kumonidad na mapayapa, kung saan ang mga mamamayan ay nagkakaisa, maunlad ang pamumuhay, nagpapahalaga ng kalikasan at may takot sa Diyos.”- Brgy. Darugao, North Upi, Shariff Kabunsuan

“Mapanatili ang kapayapaan, katahimikan na may sustainable agriculture bilang pangunahing pamumuhay at nagbibigay katuparan sa mga hinahangad na kaunlaran sa gabay ni Allah.”- Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur

“Hangad naming maging maayos, malusog at maunlad na komunidad. Anglahat ay nagkaisang kumilos upang mapanatili and kapayapaan.”- Sitio Kankitap, Patikul, Sulu

“Kaming mga tagapamayanan ng west Marahan ay nagkakaisa sa paggawaat pagkilos upang mapaunlad ang aming pamayanan at pangkabuhayan sapamamagitan ng: pagkaroon ng magandang edukasyon sa aming mga anak;maraming punong kahoy sa kabundukan, at maraming tanim na makunan ngpangkabuhaya; pagkaroon ng mga alagang hayop at palaisdaan.”- Brgy. Marahan, Marahan, Marilog District

“Mapayapa at magandang komunidad na may malusog na mamamayan atmay malawak na kaalaman; tumutugon at may pagtatalaga sa sarili atnakikilahok and lahat ng kasapi ng komunidad na nagtataguyod ng usapingkapayapaan at kaunlaran sa pakikiisa ng mga lider sa buong pamayanan.”- Brgy. Limpapa and Brgy. Lamisahan, Zamboanga City

The PEACEPATHS is a biannual publication of the ADF-PEACEPATHS Program. It serves as a venue for the different communities to share the developments of their programs as well as on their experiences and insights in promoting peace and development among the tri-people of Mindanao

for inquiries, you may contact:Pablo Rey Pio D. Fuentes

Program Manager

Ferdinand G. JovitaProgram Coordinator

Rene G. HigiaProgram Officer

Jovilyn AninayonVolunteer

Assisi Development Foundation, Inc.Units 503-506 Prestige TowerF. Ortigas Jr. Road, Ortigas CenterPasig City Philippines.Tel. No. (+632) 632-1001 to 03Fax No. (+632) 632-7844Visit www.assisi-foundation.orgwishes to thank:

...Local partners,Church partners,Bangsamoro partners,Community partners and People’s organizations

PEACEPATHSJuly - December 2008 Vol 1. No. 1