Sponsor Children from Remote Islands in the Philippines
Sponsored children: 5 of 15
Giving children access to Education
Molocaboc is a small fishing island located in Philippines’ Negros Occidental, and one of three islands forming an archipelago in the north of region. The programme is devoted to educating local children of the island, who would not have had access to education otherwise.
Access to education is very difficult on these islands. Each island has a primary school, but there is only one middle school on the main island, and no high school. Students must travel to the mainland, which is a cost that many families cannot afford. As a result, these families are forced to pull their children out of school, as continuing their education seems impossible.
Our programme, led by a local of Molocaboc, seeks to give these young people the chance to pursue their education beyond primary school, providing them with alternatives to fishing.
The Context
The majority of families depend on fishing for their livelihood, using unique fishing techniques that resemble sea hunting and foraging. In most cases, they fish at night, diving with flashlights. Those who have boats venture further out, but the use of outworn and dangerous under-water breathing compressors has led to the death of many fathers at sea.
The families sell their catch (including fish and a variety of seafood) to wholesalers who distribute them across different markets in Sagay, the nearest city on the mainland. Their routine is gruelling, and many children often join their fathers to collect shellfish after school to help boost the family income slightly. On average, they earn between 300 and 500 pesos per outing, which is roughly 5.13 – 8.55 USD.
Your sponsored children are part of a programme that brings together sponsored children from the same geographical area. The programme is run by a local programme manager, often a Filipino volunteer, who oversees the day-to-day operations.
Father Dawa is currently a priest in the military diocese. He works in Manila, but remains deeply connected to his native island. When he was young, he never wanted to become a fisherman. He fought tirelessly to pursue his studies, finding every possible way to finance his education, as his family could not afford to support him. He attended middle and high school on the mainland in Escalante, paying for student accommodation. To finance his studies, he took on various odd jobs, ranging from street vending to drug trafficking. However, when his cousin was arrested and sent to prison, he realised how dangerous the situation was and decided to stop everything. He converted and entered the seminary right after completing his business studies. Today, it pains him to see so many young people forced to give up their dreams and turn to fishing because they have no educational opportunities, or resort to taking great risks just to study. His dream is to help motivated young people finance their education, without having to resort to illegal methods as he once did.
How the sponsored money is used
Your sponsorship is crucial and helps cover all the educational needs of the sponsored children. It is used to pay for registration fees, school supplies, projects, books, uniforms, shoes, and transportation if needed. Sponsorships can also be used to support other children in need who are without sponsors or to support the family with essential needs, such as extra food or medicine. Many homes remain extremely vulnerable, particularly due to the frequent and intense typhoons that repeatedly batter this highly unprotected island. The education of the sponsored children is central to our mission, and their success is closely tied to their sense of security and well-being.