DFCM and Community Development

Drops of Faith Christian Missions (DFCM) is an independent Christian missionary work to the tribe. Our work since 1999 has involved volunteers and partners, individuals and people group alike, from different walks of life that has expressed their desire and commitment to cooperate and reach out to the tribes through the inspiration of the Spirit of God in them. These people have been rendering their invaluable service and resources through cheerful giving for the love of God and fellowmen, and under one vision which God has given through the foundation of the mission work of DFCM.

Under the cooperation of DFCM and our Partners we have initiated different self-sustainable programs that will attend to the holistic needs of the tribal community. These programs which started small evolved through God’s wisdom and grace into a diverse community development program. DFCM is committed to pursue this divine direction by exploring advance methodologies and partnerships to achieve our ultimate goal -to see the tribe for the tribe, Mangyans ably helping Mangyans.

Our Community Development Four Step Process

Community development is a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. Community well-being (economic, social, environmental and cultural) often evolves from this type of collective action being taken at a grassroots level. -United Nations

Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people with the skills they need to effect change within their communities. These skills are often created through the formation of social groups working for a common agenda. Community developers must understand both how to work with individuals and how to affect communities’ positions within the context of larger social institutions.

Programs for the Tribal Community Development Program:

Community economic development (CED); an alternative to conventional economic development which encourages using local resources in a way that enhances economic outcomes while improving social conditions.

Community-driven development (CDD), an economic development model which shifts overreliance on central governments to local communities.

Asset-based community development (ABCD); is a methodology that seeks to uncover and use the strengths within communities as a means for sustainable development.
Participatory planning including community-based planning (CBP); involving the entire community in the strategic and management processes of urban planning; or, community-level planning processes, urban or rural.

Community organizing; a term used to describe an approach that generally assumes that social change necessarily involves conflict and social struggle in order to generate collective power for the powerless.

Sustainable development; which seeks to achieve, in a balanced manner, economic development, social development and environmental protection outcomes.

 

To be able to secure a continues stewardship for the program DFCM has established the local community organization for the Iraya Mangyan tribe which is KALIPUNAN NG MGA KATUTUBONG MANGYAN NA PINAGPALA (K.A.K.A.M.P.I.). The leadership of this organization is decided through an exclusive Mangyan election process. Once the leadership positions has been established a special program for proper teaching and training will be conducted under the ministry of DFCM. This will equip every community leader on their respective roles and responsibilities and how to work effectively as one unit for the benefit of the community. Along this process DFCM will provide and assist the community in raising relevant, strategic, self-sustaining projects for livelihood which is under BAWAT BUTIL PROGRAM. Once the leadership and the community mature in this collaborative process the organization can secure government registration as a legitimate Cooperative Organization.

Project: Halieis Anthrópos

We were called to follow Jesus in Matthew 4:19 to become “fishers of men” (ἁλιεῖς ἄνθρωπος). This is the very core of our missionary work in the tribes, to catch men from misery and definite destruction and bring them into the boat of grace (through Christ Jesus) that heads to glorious eternity with the Father.

Fishing is also one thing that Jesus was fond of while He was here on earth in earthly form, as we could see that he spend a lot of time on the boat with His fishermen friends. We also serve in the mission field with this trust: “TO NOT ONLY GIVE MEN FISH TO EAT BUT TO TEACH THEM HOW TO CATCH FISH FOR WITH THAT THEY WILL NEVER BE HUNGRY AGAIN.” So we always try our very best to make our outreach program become self-sustaining by not doling out help but rather equipping our stakeholders to become our counterparts in every way. This project is just a part of our holistic approach, to feed them by helping them learn to feed themselves, Project: Halieis Anthropon.

Today we are 60% accomplished as we have provided 2 sets of fishing nets complete with all the materials needed. We also have provided for a small fishing boat and it is almost ready to test the waters. We just need some finishing materials and this project will begin providing food for our Mission Center staff and all our KKP Scholars.

We will be posting here update of our boat once it comes into 100% completion. Praise God for this wonderful project that He have provided to us.

WHO AM I?

WHO AM I?

Who am I to be called to step out of that boat and made walk in faith?
Who am I to be honored to bear their silent pain?
Who am I to share the tears and joy of His people?
Who am I to be their face and voice in this blind and deaf world?
Who am I to be accepted as their own flesh and blood?

Who am I?
Just a man saved by God’s grace.
Was given a name and called to be a servant.
Granted a life of undeserved purpose for His Word,
A promise keeper of a hope on His eternal presence.

Who am I?
I am a man outside the comfort zone and inside God’s will.

-Misyonaryong Putik

Sailing Through Squalls In The Sea

Tribal Missions is no bed of roses but when you find God there it becomes the most beautiful place you can ever be in, and the people there becomes the most lovable people in the world.

Our Tribal Multi-Purpose Hall and an Mission Ambulance Boat

We are so happy to share to you the growing fruit of our prayers and unity for this pioneering tribal project, the Tribal Multipurpose Center which will be established in the strategic location of Kalansan. This holistic project will be the first ever of this kind that will address the need of the communities in the field of education, health, livelihood, faith and  community development. Right now we are in the 40% of the building development.

THE BOOK AND TOY LIBRARY will address both the intellectual, emotional and social growth of the children of the tribes through a wide variety of section of books and through educational toys both for indoors and outdoors. We will provide a library system with a trained Mangyan librarian.

TRIBAL HEALTH AND RESCUE CENTER will also be the very first for the Iraya Mangyans in in this remotest region of Mt. Calavite. This project will address the very poor health condition of the tribes and will target to provide a regular program that will attend to their general medical needs through partnership with doctors and other medical professionals who have the heart to reach out to desolate communities like this. This center will also provide AMBULANCE BOAT and BASIC LIFE SUPPORT for transporting people in critical condition to the provincial hospital which is about 80-90 kilometers away.

THE KAKAMPI COOPERATIVE STORE is the business center inside the tribes for their farming and fishing needs. Its objective is to provide a variety of commodities and services that has a very reasonable cost or price for the tribes. Its generated income will be entirely allocated for the community development projects and other vital needs of the community.

SOUP KITCHEN is the area where the regular feeding program preparations will be done. This will help facilitate our program that will address the vital need for balanced meal and nutrition specially for the children of the tribes.

THE WAREHOUSE will house all the produce and other supplies of the community. It will be adjacent to the proposed rice mill behind the multipurpose center.

THE KAKAMPI OFFICE (Kalipinan ng mga Katutubong Mangyan na Pinagpala) will serve as the session hall for the elected tribal leaders and the administrative office for the tribal organizations economic and ministerial functions.

STAFF ROOM is the small quarter allocated for missionaries and other guests of the tribes. It will be provided with a small bed and is situated near the kitchen and toilet and bath area.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

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The functional Multipurpose Center of Kalansan today.

 

Our humble beginnings.

We need your support for us to complete this project for the Iraya Mangyan tribe in Kalansan, Agabalite and Pinagbayanan of Occidental Mindoro. We are still in need of the following:

• funding for the remaining 60% cost of the building project
• thresher, hand tractor and portable welding machine
• ambulance boat with portable oxygen tank, stretcher for patient transport
• 100 watts solar panel, battery with electrical layout for lighting
• generator for back-up power source
• basic dental chair (non powered)
• nebulizers, weighing scale, etc. for the clinic
• books and toys for the library
• kitchen utensils for feeding program (450-600 children capacity)

For sending support you may contact:

Pastor Ernie DV. Catanghal (DFCM Mission Director)

Email: edvcat@yahoo.com

Contact Number: +63(02)6411656 -landline / +63927-8684899 -mobile

Who “Thrive” from the Tribe?

Farming rice is the main source of livelihood for the Iraya Mangyans. But with the very limited land area left to them by the foreign settlers of the island (and mostly marshlands and forestland) their harvest for a year is just a fraction of what they need in a year, worse it would still be exploited by the businessmen who thrive on their little (and crude) farming.

The answer.

DFCM through its community development organiztion, KAKAMPI is launching “BAWAT BUTIL PROGRAM (BBP)” – a program that caters to the indigent Iraya Mangyans in their farming needs. It’s goal is to provide system and resources that will make the community self-sufficient and self-sustaining. We are reaching out to three (3) communities in the north-eastern edge of the island namely, the Kalansan, Agbalite and Pinagbayanan communities.

We can help them increase their produce and be self-sufficient.

Want to know how? Just reach us at:

+63 (02) 710-9550 landline / +63 (02) 927-8684899  mobile

Email: edvcat@yahoo.com

LET THERE BE LIGHT, LIVELIHOOD AND NOW FOOD.

Thank you so much Lord for blessing our Mangyan community with people who would carry the burden with us in sharing to them the goodness of the Lord. Through the collaboration of Drops of Faith Christian Missions, some church organizations, social clubs, friends and caring individuals we were able to raise, maintain and expand our Project: Let There Be Light. This project has already brought hope and joy to the communities most specially to their children who are now enjoying the benefit of studying with ample light at night. This project has also generated daily income that has become their funding for farming which is being blessed with good harvest that will bring food on their tables.

Our lighting project is an alternative power source system using solar panels for our charging station which provides charging capacity for the DC batteries which we have provided for the families for their home lighting source. Currently we are blessed with 7oo watts of solar panels through the invaluable support of Cainta Wesleyan Church (Young Adults and Youth Group) and the outdoor group of Campers and Backpackers (CAB)/Daloy. The base structure for the station, concrete pathway and other electrical paraphernalia for the street and homes are provided by our ever valued good-hearted families, brethren and friends. We would also like to acknowledge the love and support of our KKP Sponsors, our partner organization, Make A Change Philippines and Ohanna Mountaineering Club. Indeed you have made a change and touched many lives in the tribes. This project will not be made possible without the favor of our Lord God and people like you, thank you very much!