From: "TMFI" <tmpdavao@dv.weblinq.com>
Date: Mon Aug 7, 2000 7:10 pm
Subject: Insights: Teach them how to fish...
Hello from Davao!
Just want to share some insights from us here. In 1986, we started our relief works to far-flung areas of Davao and Bukidnon, sending food packages, kitchen utensils, and medical teams in tribal villages. This relief effort gained us a rapport with the natives and gave us an understanding of indigenous peoples.
And the relief work weighed down on us, drying out our resources, our donors plagued with compassion fatigue. By then, we heard God say, "Stop giving people fish. It's time that you teach them how to fish."
Then we saw the potential of these tribal peoples reach further out to their own community, to their own people.
As they were properly trained and equipped with tools, they became effective. We built a training center designed to prepare them more effectively. Topping the training are the literacy program, moral & value formation, indigenous agriculture and health care.
By 1991, we have trained 100 native workers, out of which only 20% became actively involved in their respective communities and created some impact.
Among the Matigsalug tribe, TMFI (formerly TMP) has began a program modeling for other communities and villages. It has a demo farm & a multi-purpose building where classes are held for training. The have adopted the same principles learned from TMFI. The teachers are local tribal people. Most of them conduct literacy classes themselves in remote villages. Now our job has become easier.
It took us many years to see this happened. I believe that the "discipling of the critical mass" (the potential few) determines the success in community development. And it does not stop here.
Pio Arce
TRIBAL MISSION FOUNDATION INT'L
Davao, Philippines
