News | GPFP’s GlobALS makes significant impact in six Muslim communities

GPFP’s GlobALS makes significant impact in six Muslim communities

In less than three months, Global Peace Foundation Philippines (GPFP) initiatives in addressing education and livelihood in Mindanao are gradually making significant impact to its beneficiaries.

Earlier this year, organizations from six Muslim communities in Davao Del Norte came up with livelihood programs that seek to address their most pressing needs. Brgy. Cabaywa in the municipality of Asuncion, Brgy. Magupising in the municipality of BE Dujali, Brgy. Guadalupe in the municipality of Carmen, and Brgy. Esperanza in the municipality of Sto. Tomas initiated rice-lending schemes for their members. Two other barangays in the municipality of Carmen, Brgy. La Paz and Brgy. Taba opted for goat-farming and sari-sari cooperative store, respectively.

These programs are now contributing to the economic capacity of its members. But more than the livelihood aspect it is also beginning to change the mindset of its members.

Alternative Learning System and Muslim Education Program Supervisor (ALS-EPS), Lourdes Navarro said the livelihood programs, which these organizations initiated, also became a venue for its members to discuss matters affecting their communities. Navarro added that because of constant communication the communities were able to build harmonious relationships among its residents.

The programs were also able to eliminate the culture of apathy among its members. Barangays Taba and Cabaywa, whose programs have a lending system, do not have to remind their members to pay their dues.

Jalandoni Marapatan, Sr., President of Taba Muslim Community Multi Purpose Cooperative, said that their members are diligent in paying their debts. Jalandoni added that they agreed upon a payment system which they religiously follow.

In Cabaywa, its members have a strong sense of ownership for the program, said Zulaika Adam, the president of Cabaywa Muslim Association for Peace and Development (CAMUPAD). Its members knew the implications if they will not pay their debt on time.

The program is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) under the Department of Education’s (DepED) Philippine Response to Indigenous and Muslim People Education (PRIME).

GPFP is the service provider of PRIME through its GlobALS program. Aside from livelihood it also provides assistance in the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALS-ALIVE). ALS-ALIVE is designed for the Muslim migrants to be able to positively contribute to the peace efforts of our government in order to improve the quality of life of Muslim out-of-school youths and adults.