Kanawan Farm Rehabilitation

 FAITH GARDENING IN KANAWAN AS CONDUCTED BY ANNE IN 2009

About three years ago, the Youth Mobilization team was involved in a series of projects that include a water system, gardening, poultry and livestock raising to help our partner ministry in an Aeta tribe called Kanawan.  This tribe, home to many Aetas displaced by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the 1990's, is situated in a mountain in Morong, Bataan, just outside the former US naval base in Subic.  


These projects proved to be very helpful as the farm become their main source of food and water.  Also, they were able to send students to school through the produce they get from the vegetable garden, poultry and livestock farming.  


Sad to say, the last quarter typhoon in 2011 and the resulting flooding destroyed all of these.  Decimating the vegetable garden and all of the chickens, goats, and pigs died.  Only the water system remained intact.

THE WATER BUFFALO IS THE LONE ANIMAL SURVIVOR OF THE STORM

Their immediate need was food (we have conducted a bit of a relief work immediately after the typhoon but lack of funds hindered us to sustain it) as their main source of food was cut off and it will take some time for them to grow vegetables and to harvest rice once again. They will also need seedlings, and new poultry and livestock to raise.


Through the help of a generous donor, we were able to help them build their farm again.  At the start of the year 2012, we have prioritized this farm rehabilitation project.

THE CHICKEN COOP

THE ALMOST-FINISHED PIG PEN

So far, the chicken coop and the pig pen have been constructed already.  They just need some finishing touches but we'll be able to use them to keep the animals safe and sound.  Last February 3, the animals (4 piglets and 100 chicks) arrived.  The vegetables (okra, egg plant, tomato, etc) are also growing while the rice will be ready for harvest in less than a month.  Please pray for the rice field because it is at its critical level.  Last year, it was also at that staged when the typhoon came and what's left after the strong winds and rain were eaten by field rats.

PASTOR DOMULOT AND HIS RICE FIELD

If all goes well, the vegetables will be harvested in 4-6 months. We just received word from Pastor Arsenio Domulot, who supervises and tends the farm, and who is also the senior pastor of Kanawan Christian Church, that the chickens are all fuly grown and that they have started selling them.  On the other hand, the pigs will be ready to reproduce after 4 months.  We bought 4 females.  

THE FOUR (NOT THREE) LITTLE PIGS

We are also considering buying other animals like goats, cows and ducks.  Duck eggs are used to make the locally popular "balut" and their meat is good for foo too.  It all depends on what happens with the present, if the program turns out good and produces so that we will have enough funds to expand the farm, then we will add more animals.  The area is really fit for raising animals because there is a nearby river making water so accessible for the farm and for personal use.  They also have a huge space to raise different kinds of animals.

Dumaguete Relief Operation (Ending)

PART 3 OF 3

The next day, February 21, we left early for La Libertad.  We bought additional 5 sacks of rice because we found out that some are taking advantage of the situation, selling rice at 100 pesos a kilo.  The price of rice before the earthquake was only 30-35 pesos a kilo.  We arrived at the foot of the mountain at 8 am and 30 minutes later, after securing all the relief bags to 4 single motorcycles we rented, we headed for Baranggay Pacuan.  We ourselves, 4 of us (5 including the driver), boarded a single motorcycle.

The two-hour motorcycle drive proved to be the ride of our lives.  Some roads are already paved with concrete but many still are not.  We passed by several times areas where there were landslides – big rocks and mud lie on what use to be passable roads.  Twice we had to disembark so our motorcycles can be pushed through areas badly damaged by the landslide.  No wonder, no other vehicles can be used to get in and out of that area, cutting off many people from food supply and other basic necessities.

After being tossed, twisted and shaken for two hours, we finally arrived at our destination.  We immediately distributed the relief items because we still need to go to Jonie’s mother which will take another 10-15 minutes hike.  Before heading for the hike, Jonie took the opportunity to briefly share God’s word to his relatives.  They listened intently, and from time to time, they uttered their thanksgiving to God for His great love and care for them.  It was their first time to receive any help after the earthquake.  They couldn’t believe that we will take so much effort just to bring help.  Tears flowed from their eyes as Jonie led them in prayer.

The same thing happened when we finally met Jonie’s mother and other relatives up the hill.  They laughed and cried at the same time.  Jonie’s mother even said that she thought she won’t see Jonie again but God is so faithful indeed that He gave them the opportunity to meet Jonie.  We really wanted to stay longer but because we needed to catch the bus’ last trip; we left there 30 minutes after 1 in the afternoon.  7 hours later, we’re back in Bacolod. 

Before leaving La Libertad, we stopped somewhere in the mountain where there is a view of Baranggay Solonggon.  70 people there died because of the landslide.  Until now, many bodies are still buried underneath the combination of mud, rocks and trees.  Jonie has relatives there too who need help but time and resources hindered us from going there.  We told them that if God provides, we will surely come back and help in the relief operations in Solonggon.

We spent our last night there in Bacolod.  Our flight back to Manila is at 10 in the morning.  Tired and bruised, we tried to sleep but somehow, our minds still lingered in what we had experienced for the last three days.  It is hard not to think about it, especially that we feel that our job is not done yet.  Many people still need help.  Those who help only bring relief goods at the evacuation center.  How about those who are at the other side of the mountain, especially the elderly and the weak who can’t travel?  We must come back, we said to ourselves as sleep finally conquered our tired and beaten bodies. 

Dumaguete Relief Operation (Continuation)

PART 2 OF 3

The more we venture into each Baranggay of Guihulngan, the more we see the damages.  Roads are uneven and cracked while bridges are totally damaged (the government made make-shift bridges so light vehicles can pass over) making land travel risky and treacherous.  Numerous times we again saw placards that people put up so they can ask for food and water.  People also shouted at us as we pass by, imploring us to give help. 

At one point, since we had to stop so we can give relief bags to Jonie’s relatives, we were almost mobbed by the people so we had to leave in a hurry.  People started running as fast as they could to reach our vehicle.  That’s how desperate the people have become just to get some food and water.  We wanted to give but our supply will not be sufficient to give to everyone.  We left hurriedly although we could see their desperate plea for help.  If only we have more, then we can help them too.

That afternoon, we were able to give relief bags to Jonie’s relatives living in Guihulngan.  We even reached the first Baranggay of La Libertad where Jonie’s cousin lives.  She pastors a church in that area.  After giving them relief bags, we wanted to continue to our next destination – Jonie’s relatives in Baranggay Pacuan, La Libertad. 

Before leaving, they cautioned us about going there in the evening.  It is almost 6 in the afternoon and it was getting dark.  They told us that it will take another two hours to reach our destination and there are landslides along the way.  Also, bandits and robbers are common in that area especially at night.

We heeded their advice and we returned to Jonie’s cousin to spend the night.  About dinner time, two strong after shocks just minutes apart from each other greeted us.  The quakes were a bit strong that the walls and the foundation of the house seemed to sound as if they were being twisted.  People started filling the streets and it took another an hour or two before they returned inside their houses.  The next day, very early in the morning, we felt another after shock.  According to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhilVocs), as of this week, there are more than 1600 after shocks already recorded.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Dumaguete Relief Operation

PART 1 OF 3

Our team, composing of Pastor Jonie Antinero, Pastor John Basiwa and myself, arrived in Bacolod just before noon time of February 19.  As per Pastor Jonie’s advice, we chose to land in Bacolod instead of Dumaguete City because many roads from the airport of Dumaguete City to La Libertad are still being fixed, making land travel almost impossible. 

ARRIVING AT BACOLOD SILAY DOMESTIC AIRPORT

We immediately searched for Jonie’s brother, who lived majority of his life in Bacolod.  He will be the one accompanying us to Dumaguete since he knows the ins and outs of the area, especially where the earthquake struck the worst.

In the afternoon, we finalized mapping out the plan for the relief operation, pin-pointing strategic locations.  Our main objective is to help 40 of Pastor Jonie’s relatives who are cut off from vital food supply due to the landslides and damaged roads and bridges.  Since it will take another 5 hours to reach Guihulngan, Dumaguete, we decided to spend the night in Bacolod.

OUR 5-HOUR BUS RIDE TO DUMAGUETE - BACOLOD TO SAN CARLOS, 

THEN SAN CARLOS TO GUIHULNGAN, DUMAGUETE 

First thing in the morning the next day, February 20, at 5, we bought grocery items for the relief operation and then boarded a bus that will take us to our destination.  Actually, 2 bus rides were needed.  One to San Carlos City that lasted for two hours, and then another one that took us to Guihulngan that lasted for three hours.  We reached Guihulngan at 11 am.  As soon as we entered the city limits, we saw a lot of people congregating near the local government office.  Most likely, they are waiting for any help they can get from the government.  We saw also signs and placards saying “SOS, we need food and water!”

ONE OF THE "TENT CITIES" IN GUIHULNGAN, DUMAGUETE

We were met by Jonie’s cousin who helped us buy and transport 10 sacks of rice and additional grocery items we didn’t buy in Bacolod such as sugar and corned beef.  We bought water also for ourselves.

 PASTOR JONIE'S COUSIN PROVIDED US WITH A VEHICLE TO CARRY RELIEF GOODS

 THE INITIAL 10 SACKS OF RICE WE BOUGHT FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

THE CONTENTS OF EACH RELIEF BAG

Right after eating lunch, we immediately proceeded with the repacking of the relief bags.  Each bag contains crackers, rice noodles, instant noodles, soy sauce, sardines, corned beef, powdered juice, coffee, sugar and 10 kilos of rice.  Then, we boarded everything to our designated vehicle (Jonie’s cousin let us use their vehicle for the relief operation) and headed for the locations we mapped out earlier.  That’s when we saw the horrifying effects of the earthquake.  Houses, old and new, were totally destroyed.  Some are simple nipa huts, while others are newly constructed concrete houses probably costing in millions.  They all didn’t make it, proving true the saying, “In calamity, there’s no rich nor poor.”

TO BE CONTINUED...

JKKCC 4th Year Anniversary

Last Sunday, February 26, we celebrated Jesus King of Kings Community Church's (JKKCC) 4th Year Anniversary.  It has been 4 years indeed!  Four years of God's faithfulness and overflowing power and provision.  Who would have known that a simple dream will now be a reality?  No one could have guessed at the beginning, when we first started a Bible study for former gang members, that God can indeed raise a church of more than a hundred people now.  All honor, power, and glory belong to our God indeed!  We look forward to more of God's faithfulness as we pursue His purpose of transforming communities and blessing families for Christ.