BackgroundMarginalization is one of the greatest problems faced by the indigenous peoples especially in Mindanao, Philippines. Despite the efforts of governments and non-government organizations to address the issues faced by the indigenous peoples, the majority of them are still suffering from marginalization. Majority of the indigenous peoples are still living below poverty, and still don't have access to education, potable water, health and road infrastructures.
Along with the problems in marginalization, they are also loosing their distinct language and beautiful cultural traditions. The younger indigenous generations are alarmingly disconnected to their cultural roots. Many of them are ashamed of identifying themselves as indigenous peoples. Political manipulations and discrimination have been great contributors of these issues. It's been noted that there were tons of efforts geared towards indigenous development. However, those programs were always threatened by political changes in the government side and project termination in the non-government side. As a result, sustainability of the programs are always at risk. It's also been noted that efforts geared towards addressing indigenous concerns have poor results because the workforce carrying-out the programs are mostly not coming from the indigenous groups. Maybe it would have been different if the people working for indigenous concerns are coming directly from the indigenous groups. The Blaan tribe is one of the 110 indigenous groups in the Philippines that extremely faces the above mentioned issues. Accordingly, this tribe wants to step up and take the lead in addressing their own issues through the Kafye Blaan Empowerment Inc. VisionAn empowered, self-reliant indigenous Blaan community free from marginalization, discrimination and exploitation.
MissionTo educate and empower the indigenous Blaan community to be self-reliant and active contributors for development while retaining and strengthening their cultural identity.
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Goals1. To strengthen the cultural development and self-empowerment of the indigenous Blaan community while enabling them to retain their cultural identity
2. To boost the morale of the indigenous Blaan community to rise against the centuries of marginalization, exploitation and discrimination. 3. To raise awareness on indigenous peoples’ rights and role in the development and to mobilize action to redress negative aspects introduced into indigenous communities by years of colonization, marginalization and urbanization. 4. To strengthen the awareness and involvement of indigenous Blaan community in addressing issues on human rights, the environment, development, health, culture and education with stronger accounts on their cultural values, languages, traditions and customs. 5. To educate the indigenous and non-indigenous communities on the situation, cultures, languages, rights and aspirations of the indigenous peoples. Objectives1. To establish the Philippine Blaan Academy as a life-long community institution that will educate and empower the indigenous Blaan community. 2. To develop livelihood projects that will contribute significant and tangible improvements in the daily lives of the indigenous Blaan community. 3. To design cultural and agricultural enterprises that will promote and advance their cultural development and self-empowerment. 4. To provide capability trainings, forums, summits and consultations gearing towards raising awareness on indigenous rights, issues and solutions to address it. 5. To rally active involvement of the Blaan indigenous community in the development processes. 6. To provide venue for the indigenous and non-indigenous communities to co-learn and co-improve their socio-economic status. 7. To serve as inspiration to other indigenous groups. |
AdvocacyEducation
Cultural Empowerment Environment & Economic Development Health |
ProjectsPhilippine Blaan Academy
Gearing Up Education Quest Kafye Blaan: Capability Building & Empowerment Kafye Banwe: Sustainable Planting & Living Amgal Laweh dad Muna To: Research & Documentation of Traditional Blaan Health Practices and Medicines Kafye Laweh: Family Health Management |
IndicatorsEstablishment of first Philippine Blaan School
No. of students educated and empowered No. of schools and communities served No. of students impacted Establishment of Kastifun Center(Assembly Center with living museum and library of Blaan Studies) No. of capability trainings, forums, summits and consultations organized and benchmarked. No. of cultural enterprises organized No. of agricultural enterprises organized. No of Blaan families participating in agro-forestry projects, traditional root crops and upland rice planting and backyard livestock raising as a means for sustainable living. List of printed researches and documentation on Blaan traditional health practices and medicines. No. of health and nutrition trainings conducted and geared up in partnership with gov’t and other NGOs. No. of. families served |
Expected OutcomeEducated, empowered and culturally-proud young Blaan leaders.
Prepared students to take up university courses based on the needs of the Blaan communities. Improved access and quality of education among Blaan communities Deeper awareness, interest and pride to Blaan cultural traditions. Strengthened and sustained cultural skills and practices. Improved systems of traditional governance and active involvement to the development processes. Fortified awareness on their human and indigenous rights. Documented and validated library of Blaan studies. Improved economic status of Blaan families Increased awareness and practices of sustainable living. Documentation of traditional health practices and medicines. Increased interest and practice of traditional health practices and medicines. Decreased malnutrition rate among Blaan communities. Decreased mortality rate and morbidity rate among Blaan communiites. Improved health and nutritional status of families. |
