And I rode my bicycle 52 kilometers each time to honor his cheerful giving…
Kalingang Kapatid Program (KKP)
The Journey Lives On
In the mountains there are so many kids like this boy, born in poverty, deprived of even the very basics of life. They are so innocent of the world outside and education is something most of them haven’t heard of. In their very young age suffering has became their norm. But norm as it is just like their parents they know something is wrong -something is lacking but just can’t define it. Most of them are clueless of the causes of their life’s miseries, and has succumb to the belief that “one who is born in poverty will remain in poverty, and will soon end in poverty”.
True as it seems to them but we know there’s something better, these kids deserve something better, and we believe education is one of them. But to them education is an elusive dream, a fantasy for the ludicrous. But if someone will only care enough, who will walk the extra mile for these desolate kids of the mountain, then education will be feasible, will be a reality.
There is hope. Yes there is, because someone will respond to God’s call -not many but there will be. Will you be one of them? Today we have a handful of kids who were able to beat the odds and have stepped into the door of opportunity to make the dream come true. They are the few blessed Kalingang Kapatid Program Scholars who started the journey with us from the grass-root level and now in the junior high and even a couple have entered college. 
For them being a KKP Scholar, as we use to call them, is a blessing for their future. But for us who dream and journey with them it is not simply about their future but their tribal communities’ future. In enabling them to catch their own fish we also enable them to feed their fellowmen with fish. Yes, in building their lives we are also building their communities. Our scholars are the promising youth of the land, our scholars are the heroes of the land.
“ANG KKP SCHOLAR AY BAYANI NG PAMAYANAN”
This school year we are stretching our faith in opening the door to more aspiring kids from the tribes who are applying if not pleading for the opportunity to be part of the KKP Family. We can only do so much, unless others extend our wings by helping us help them. And we thank God because there are some who responded to the call, they are the beautiful hearts who partnered with us. Dear KKP Sponsors, we are forever grateful and we pray that may God return the favor to each and everyone tenfold.
On that day our KKP Scholars will one by one march the isle in their togas and will receive their much sought after diploma. On that day the chains of poverty will end as they begin to walk on the new horizon, on a leveled ground; and will look back to reach out to their own, and will start doing what they have learned best from the beautiful hearts that once reached out to them… their sponsors.
Today we have 18 Iraya Mangyan KKP Scholars from Kalansan, Pinagbayanan and San Pablo. We are currently looking for sponsors for them this SY 2017-18.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SPONSORS. CAN YOU BE ONE?
Below are the breakdown of sponsorship details:
June Expenses (upon enrollment): Php 3,500.00/child
During opening of classes (month of June) we provide new set of supplies like uniform, bags, shoes, school materials, ID’s and for other requirements from the school. Also, we provide basic clothings, beddings, hygiene and personal storage depending on what is lacking and needed in the beginning of the school year. These provision will incur more budget than the succeeding nine months in the school year.
For Monthly Expenses (July to March): Php 2,500.00/child/month
- Food @ 20 pesos/meal = 1,800.00/child
- Hygiene Kit = 100.00/child
- School projects = 300.00/child
- Snack money in school = 200.00/child
- Utilities = 100.00/month
“HALINA, SAMAHAN NINYO PO KAMI. TULUNGAN NATIN SA PAG-AARAL ANG MGA BATANG ITO.”
Dear partners… THANK YOU SO MUCH and we will never forget your kindness.
Yes We Can Help
Thank You Dear Sponsors
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs 19:17
Words are not enough to express gratitude for a life showered with hope. To our dearest sponsors, here is the first batch of letters written by our KKP Scholars specially for you. We are always grateful to God for having you, for if not for your love and support our scholarship program (KALINGANG KAPATID PROGRAM) for the Iraya-Mangyan children will not be made possible. Truly we believe that your partnership with DFCM is not an accident for God has commissioned your hearts even before time to feel for these desolate children of the tribes, and your positive response is making a big difference not only for the scholars today but in their hope for the future of their tribes.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)
God bless you.
Our Mangyan Scholarship Program
In the Philippines, there are more than a hundred upland tribes and the Mangyan is one of them. They can be considered as one of those poorest among the poor due to their passive nature. DFCM always believe that it is good to give men fish to eat but it is always better to teach them how to catch fish for themselves for they will never be hungry again.
KALINGANG-KAPATID PROGRAM (KKP) is a program under DFCM created to address the need for educational assistance. Since 2005 KKP aims to give our Mangyan children an equal opportunity to education whether be it formal or informal. In this program every child sent to school will become a potential advocate of positive change to their respective tribe.
“Mangyans helping Mangyans.”
Most of our scholars live in the remotest parts of the northern tip of the island and there is no easy access to education except for our DFCM para-schooling (non formal) program and some minority schools run by the government in some tribal communities, but this is limited to primary education only. Once the school children finishes that level most of them will just end up hunting in the mountains, doing slash-and-burn if their parents are not blessed to have small wet-cropping fields, or simply fishing for daily providence. Their dreaming ends there because there is no secondary school within reach. The only school by the government is in the town proper which is so far away and their communities have no access road to use. But there are potential dreamers in the tribe, children who are capable of excelling in the academic field -if only they are given a fair chance.
“Mission Center: Second Home.“
DFCM saw the need and in spite of being a small independent mission work we stepped out of the boat and took the leap of faith in providing these kids the stepping stone they need to reach their dreams. By God’s grace we were able to raise up a mission center right at the middle of the town which is very strategic for the KKP Program, the school is just a walk away. This mission center have prevented them from the usual practice they do just to get an access to school -to work as a field laborers and house helpers for the Tagalogs (lowlanders) which according to history this has became the instrument not of success but of exploitation and abuse. Since then we started hosting selected young dreamers from the tribes providing them decent housing while providing all their basic needs including everything they need for schooling. By doing this the children were able to attend school everyday and focus on their studies better and live in a loving and safe place.
We cannot accomplish this if not for the support of some friends and brethren in faith who acted as “Sponsors.” Our ideal setup is to get one (1) sponsor for one (1) scholar to secure that the living and studying condition of the children.
Today we have 18 Iraya Mangyan KKP Scholars from Kalansan, Pinagbayanan and San Pablo.
We are looking for sponsors for this SY 2017-18 who will reach out to make them continue dreaming. They are the future of their tribe and will you help them make a difference one day?
Below are the breakdown of sponsorship details:
June Expenses (upon enrollment): Php 3,500.00/child
During opening of classes (month of June) we provide new set of supplies like uniform, bags, shoes, school materials, ID’s and for other requirements from the school. Also, we provide basic clothings, beddings, hygiene and personal storage depending on what is lacking and needed in the beginning of the school year. These provision will incur more budget than the succeeding nine months in a school year.
For Monthly Expenses (July to March): Php 2,500.00/child/month
- Food @ 20 pesos/meal = 1,800.00/child
- Hygiene Kit = 100.00/child
- School projects = 300.00/child
- Snack money in school = 200.00/child
- Utilities = 100.00/month
If upon reading this page you believe the Lord is speaking to your heart to make that step outside the boat, then… I would like to take your hand and let us journey together on that path called faith… to bring hope to the next generation of the tribe and help them become blessings to their own.
To express your desire to share your life to the desolate children of the tribe through sponsoring them in their schooling you may send us a message here or email at edvcat@yahoo.com.
“HALINA, SAMAHAN NINYO PO KAMI. TULUNGAN NATIN SA PAG-AARAL ANG MGA BATANG ITO.”
Thank you and shalom.
Pastor Ernie Catanghal (DFCM Mission Director)
The Journey of Hope Lives On!
It is the beginning of a another school year, and for the typical Mangyan children it is the season of the year where they introspect of their dreams -will it ever come true? For people like them there is a vast uncertainty of the hope for their future. DFCM likewise faces a lot of uncertainties every season like this for the KKP Program -will we be able to continue lending a hand to these dreamers?
This June before the school year formally starts Pastor Ernie was burning the candle at both ends just to find ways of keeping these children’s hope alive. God is so good and so faithful for He touched the hearts of His people to respond to the call -to sponsor an Iraya Mangyan child to school. By the time Pastor Ernie returned to the tribes the mission was able to secure 10 sponsorship for our 12 KKP Applicants, with that there are only 2 kids left waiting for sponsorship. Nevertheless Pastor Ernie gave the assurance to the remaining two that they will go to school with the rest of the KKP Scholars by faith.
When we announced the lineup of our KKP Scholars for SY 2016-17 during the Parents-Scholars meeting in our Mission Center tears of joy flowed on the face of everyone upon knowing that no one will go home… but everyone will go to school.
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These green folders which we call “the seal” that the KKP Scholars were holding contains their application form, personal records and scholarship grant, while the overjoyed parents were holding the KKP Shirts we awarded to the scholars.
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Right after the announcements and celebration we brought the new batch of KKP Scholars to the mini-mart to buy all the supplies they will need in the Mission Center and in school. This is another exciting part because this is the time our KKP Scholars will enjoy the very very rare “shopping” experience.
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With all the supplies provided and the Mission Center all set for the coming school year we can say we have victoriously overcome the most crucial stage of the program. Now we begin to host the scholars in the mission center and get them oriented together with the DFCM House Parents (Pastor Manny and Olay) with the important policies and system inside the center.
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This school year for our KKP Scholars will not be made possible if not for our dedicated partners who selflessly stepped out of their comfort zone and made a difference in the lives of oir Mangyan children. God knows how much you have done for them and we will be forever grateful for you.
Maraming Salamat po sa inyong pagtulong sa ating mga kabataang Iraya Mangyan!
(Thank you very much for helping our young Iraya Mangyans!)
Sa aming pong pagpapatuloy sa paglalakbay na ito ay parati pong babalitaan namin kayo. God bless you!
(As we continue in this journey we will keep you posted. Pagpalain po kayo ng Diyos!)
Neneng Dizon: Iraya Mangyan at Grade 9, consistent first honor student in class.
You have touched lives more than you have expected! Salamat po ng marami.
Let’s Join Them In Their Dream
An Epistle from the Land of Hope and Promises
by Rev. Ernie dV. Catanghal
A month and more has passed since the Mission Center has opened its doors for the KKP Mangyan scholars. Looking back, there were so many things we have been through – especially the children. Life in the mountains is so much different from the town, the life that these children have been used to. Their life with their families is an abstract of endless difficulties and slow uncertainness; a life they learned to love and embrace – the Mangyan kind of life.
Now, after we have kindled the faith and what we have showed them as we opened their eyes to the new horizon of God’s greatness and grace, to the promises of civilization they are brought to a new world. A world so much different that they mesmerized yet through those many years they have avoided.
For us, what they need is change, a change for betterment and we have believed that God has a greater purpose for them. They need not to lack forever, if only fair opportunity will open up for them. As God’s hands on earth we lead them there, to the direction where we ourselves are wondering. And as we walk together we are sighted by vision and braced by faith.
And as we walk together we are sighted by vision and braced by faith.
As each day unfolds, from the very beginning till now, obstacles of different sort seems to find pleasure in every turn. Fragments of reluctance, worry and fear enter the minds of the vulnerable children as they mingle into the new world. These has caused us some of them to turn back at a very early stage, for them knowing not what was the cost and what was lost. In their sight it was a move to deliverance, but for us who believe is an uncorrupted rejection of hope for their future.
Our workers are also enfeebled by the elements of complexity and strain; these are the times when the enemy advances the most, where barrage of disillusion can permeate the heart of the strong and elected. The verses of the righteous implored to God is the string that connects us to the answers – answers that will bring back the vision.
We are dreamers for God’s destitute children, catalysts to them whose minds and hearts are indifferent. On minuscule capacity we might be but on vast faith on God we stand. There is also strength in knowing that as we walk on the valleys… right upon the hills there are saints praying to further our existence; them who empathize to every cause and every burden, them who have shared a life. We don’t have much but our devotion to reach out and touch the indigent population of the Mangyan tribe for Christ, and we will make it immense for God’s kingdom.
I pray so dearly that God unceasingly preserve us in the pious work, and may He touch more hearts that would collaborate with us for the cause of the mission – “Discipleship: To help Mangyans help Mangyans”. If we persevere I believe that on that day we will see multitudes of Mangyan souls entering the gates of life everlasting.
“Discipleship: To help Mangyans help Mangyans”.
[Reminiscence of July 2008]
The Trail to Kalansan
This is how far our KKP Mangyan Scholars are coming from. Traversing this mountain on a single track trail with a distance of around 12 kilometers everyday just to attend school would make it very difficult if not impossible for them. The highest point of the ancestral trail reaches 1,521 MASL after the forest Maligaya if coming from Paluan town proper. This is the reason why we have a Mission Center near the school in town.
Not everyone is willing to climb this far to show how much one care. But there’s another way to show it and it by sponsoring a Mangyan child to school. In this way you will help us adopt them in the Mission Center while they are attending school. In their tribe they haven’t seen the meaning of success brought about by education, but you could be their chance to see that breakthrough… to make them believe that there is more to life than poverty and sufferings.
(Video taken by Pastor Ernie last May 2015)
A Little Attention
Picture speaks louder so please allow us to share to you the message.
GOT THE MESSAGE?
Drops of Faith Christian Missions 