Welcome to the first ever newsletter by Project 14:34 Inc. We are very excited by the opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and give out what we can to the best of our abilities to the wider community and for the children we are aiming to foster. The mission field goes far and wide and many people have become such big part to make this project possible.
Why in Samal?
Island Garden of City of Samal is a beautiful, green and lush island and a stone throw away or 15-min ride away from a major city of the Philippines, Davao, via motorboat or ferry. It is incredibly organic and clean that boasts of it’s surrounding islets, sandy white beaches and myriads of different lovely sights to see and things you would want to do in your life. This is also a marvelous environment parents may want to raise their children in.
Story
My first encounter with the locals started off with a question "how’s life?” Common reply would be "oh life is tough and bitter!" The story of Samal doesn't just exist around the tourist spots with all the modern conveniences but primarily evolves around the lives of the locals themselves. Samal island sadly buys their goods mainly from Davao City, including food, something the island itself is richly blessed with. A particular land is either legally owned by a local, foreigner or looked after by a tenant farmer. The people I’ve met are locals or tenant farmers and seem to have a good relationship with each other. March 2009, a friend from Nottingham England, Andy Farrington gave a lecture to a group of villagers at the Barangay Hall with the permission of the Barangay Captain over Soil Management, Gardening and Composting. The purpose was mainly to keep environmental awareness and conduct practical application. We were also hoping to encourage and motivate them to make use of their land which had been an embodiment of a “ fallow ground”- “ Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor…” Proverbs 13:23 There were 27 representatives from different Purok or hamlets. We then went down to a tenant farmer’s place whom we previously asked to start a benchmark with. He agreed and so chose an area where we can start working on to make a garden. Digging, turning ground over, breaking compacted soil, weeding, pulverizing soil and putting rocks around the finished garden. There were 18 participating residents and the garden must have been 3x2.5 metres with 10 raised beds for growing vegetables. This is called Bayanihan or concerted effort where the community work together, unpaid. But the principle stands for unity among the community. This one day event gave birth to a concept of replication wherein a committed group of people out of the original group will work together doing each one’s garden on a weekly basis. The seeds were given free and we managed to bring 7 healthy gardens to life and 7 compost pits! This is the first livelihood project. The gardens and compost pits will be checked and assessed regularly so we can monitor the status of each one of them therefore further the development when necessary. We are hoping to bring more to the community and change the sedentary lifestyle not only evident on old folks but also young people. The group that is now down to 6 members will be the CORE group where we can establish more livelihood projects from and hopefully encourage others to join and work with us so a total change can be possible. The members of CORE have talents now being looked at.
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Nelia - an expert in weaving baskets, plates. Her husband and children, all grown up, weaved their house and little hut outside.
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Ranel - a farmer and is keen into growing coffee and cocoa trees.
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Gina - a culinary expert and is hoping to put up a “carinderia” local and traditional version of modern restaurant.
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Jerry - a farmer and is very eager to grow mango trees and sell fruits and start his own business.
The rest of the members are being encouraged to start with the poultry and woodworks. The aforementioned people only have a couple of needs in order to achieve their goals using their talents. Financial support and contacts. Project 14:34 Inc. has given Nelia a small amount of money so she can work on product samples so it can be taken to Davao City over to restaurants, hotels, private companies, local stores beach resorts and eventually establish contacts around so she can run her own business slowly but steadily. Project 14:34 Inc will initially look for contacts for her until she is confident and is able to stand on her own two feet. Ranel will be given coffee and cocoa seedlings and a grinder to make his own ground coffee for business and family use. Jerry will also be provided mango seedlings and other things he is going to need to get them growing healthily. If need be, they will be sent out to seminars and trainings to further their knowledge and skills and come back to train other locals and work with them as business flourishes. This is just the beginning. Thank you for all your prayers and support. They are very much appreciated and valued. Have a wonderful and blessed day! To God be the glory!
