Programs in the Philippines

Community development

IAT has been effectively implementing community development and youth empowerment programs in the Philippines since 1980. In order to more effectively further the work begun by IAT-Canada, IAT-Philippines was established in 1981. During the early years, these two organizations built and staffed a health clinic and two schools in remote villages. They have subsequently:

• developed demonstration farms and agro-forestry nurseries;
• supported irrigation projects;
• initiated community-based health care and reforestation projects;
• developed literacy programs;
• conducted poultry, swine and water buffalo dispersal projects;
• introduced fish ponds and back yard gardening;
• conducted more than one hundred youth leadership training seminars;
• developed a children's centre;
• organized income generating activities for women and out-of-school youth;
• supported local initiatives in community organization and project management.

Following an earthquake in the early 80's that destroyed their gravity fed irrigation systems, many tribes people from the remote mountain villages emigrated to Tabuk, a frontier area in the northern Philippines. In order to assist then to adapt to different farming practices, IAT developed a 40 acre experimental/demonstration farm.

In addition to growing and experimenting with several varieties of indigenous and non-indigenous rice, many different vegetables were grown to demonstrate back-yard gardening techniques. Techniques of composting and mushroom production were demonstrated. The farm produced thousands of quality fruit and forest seedlings for disbursal to local farmers, schools and community groups. Its eight fish ponds provided protein for children under IAT's program and Tilapia fingerlings for distribution. The facilities also provided earning and learning opportunities for high school and college students while serving as a venue for farmers and students to learn organic gardening and ecologically sound farming techniques. Proceeds from farm production went towards feeding the children under its sponsorship program and sustaining IAT's aid projects.

After sixteen years of overseeing the projects in the Philippines, and confident that a group of young university graduates, who had completed IAT's sponsorship and youth leadership programs, was ready to manage and operate IAT's Philippines program, the Durrances passed them the reigns of the organization and returned to Canada in 1986. The Philippines' program continues to operate under an excellent dedicated staff of Indigenous professionals and through support, mentoring and monitoring from IAT-Canada's Board of Directors.

Recent and current activities

• developing a small ice-cream producing enterprise,
• initiating of a community-based health care program,
• launching an animal dispersal program, and organic back-yard gardening projects,
• training community leaders,
• assisting the long-oppressed people of Fuga Island to develop entrepreneurial skills and a village pharmacy.
• developing academic and technical skills trainings for out-of-school youth, in partnership with the Consuelo Youth Foundation of the Philippines and the local Department of Trade,
• continuing to conduct many leadership and empowerment training seminars and workshops for farmers, women and youth.

In 2003 and into 2004, four co-op students from the University of Victoria and a First Nation's high school student spent several months in the Philippines assisting IAT staff and conducting research on alternative healing practices, genealogy studies, historical background, cultural practices as well as peace initiatives and conflict resolution amongst the Kalinga tribes people. During 2005, two co-op students from Simon Fraser University spent several months in IAT's remote areas documenting cultural practices.

Child Support

IAT's Sponsorship Program, since its beginning in 1980, has focused upon assisting orphans and the poorest of the poor - those whose parents or guardian's major concern is, "How am I going to feed my kids tomorrow?"

Our focus is upon a holistic and sustainable approach to development and Youth empowerment. As a result IAT now has young program graduates in 50 or so villages in several areas of the Philippines such as:

Our programs have, so far, produced a number of skilled technicians as well as the following professionals: teachers, nurses, midwives, medical technicians, accountants, college professors, agriculturalists, foresters, accountants, lawyers, and one doctor.

Youth Development and Training

IAT offers Youth Empowerment seminars and workshops to students under its sponsorship program as well as to out-of-school-youth and other children from the surrounding communities. These seminars help young people to develop their confidence, gain competence, and build practical skills and leadership abilities.

Through its summer literacy program, IAT provides opportunities for teams of senior students to go out to remote villages to conduct literacy classes and village theatre as a way of raising awareness regarding issues that affect the community. Such practical experiences serve to build planning, budgeting, organizing, conflict resolution, communication and other skills among the participants, while instilling a sense of community service. Hundreds of program graduates are now back in their respective villages taking leadership roles in creating positive change. Program graduates are making a difference in Ifugao, Mountain Province, Zambales, Mindoro, Kalinga, Abra, Fuga Island and several squatter areas in and around Manila.

IAT has forged strong linkages with other Philippines NGO's such as the ASSISI Foundation, Cordillera People's Alliance, Children's Foundation of the Philippines, as well as several Indigenous peoples' groups.

IAT's Montessori-Based Preschool and Elementary Program

In 19909 IAT was asked to assist a small Montessori School in Legazpi City that was struggling to provide quality preschool education to underprivileged children. That same year, IAT launched a pilot program for tribal children out of a rustic thatched roof structure in the frontier village of Nambaran, in Kalinga Province. The following year it was transferred to the lower section of IAT's Children's Haven in Tabuk, the Capital of the province. This Montessori preschool started with a handful of children and one teacher and has since been expanded to include grade six. Thanks to the support of The Quadra Island, Community in BC and Sisler High School in Winnipeg, the Montessori program has been expanded to include several small day cares in remote Kalinga villages.

IAT's Children's Centre

This old building, purchased for a bargain price in the 1980's, is situated on a one-acre compound in Tabuk, northern Philippines and serves as IAT's Childrens Centre.

The upper level houses more than 35 orphans and children from the poorest of families. The lower level originally housed IAT's Montessori-based preschool. However, after its first year of operation, the parents of the indigenous children were so impressed with the progress of their kids that they begged IAT to extend the program to grade one and requested that the program be extended to the next grade each year thereafter.

Motivated by the parents enthusiasm and their offers to raise funds to modify this old welding shop on the property, and assisted by a generous Canadian donor, IAT has been able expand its facilities and extend its grass-roots school to include grades one to six.

Due to the condition of this old structure, IAT has been operating on a temporary permit these past years. Unfortunately we are now down to the wire and have been ordered from the Department of Education, Culture and Science to tear down this old shop and replace it with a proper facility or have our license revoked.

All contributions are tax creditable, most needed and much appreciated.

Emergency Appeal to Sponsors and Friends of IAT

In order to bring our facilities up to standard, IAT's main building needs:

• a new galvanized Iron roof;
• renovation of toilet, kitchen and dining facilities,
• replacement of termite infested lumber,
• waterproofing inside of water tank,
• painting - two coats inside and out.

Approximate cost for this would be $9,000.

The old welding shop must be torn down to be replaced by a two-story, eight room structure containing four classrooms, a library, laboratory, home economics and computer room. (Approximate cost - $40,000)

IAT has already raised $30,000 and hopes to raise another $19,000 in order to accomplish these goals. Kindly contact us if you are able to assist in any way.

All contributions are tax creditable, most needed and much appreciated.

Cultural and Peace Initiatives

IAT encourages the retention of Indigenous culture through conducting cultural programs, exchanges, research and documentation. Several students from Canadian Universities have been involved in this component of IAT's program.

In the Philippines IAT staff members and senior students continue to play a major role in resolving conflicts between various tribes and in promoting and fostering peace in the area. IAT works with The Department of Peace in Canada and The Peace Army of Costa Rica regarding peace issues.