I have been feeding a small group of children from the Badjao tribe here in Mindanao for over a year now and the expenses involved with that are very minimal and well within my budget. However; now that this has been going on for quite awhile I feel like it is time to take things to the next level. I feel that now is the right time to move forward with trying to educate these beautiful children. It is sad to say that these children have never stepped inside a classroom despite some of them being almost 18 years old.

My plan is to model the program after the Born Again Badjao Church in Luzon. I am currently coordinating with the pastor there, Albert Santiago, and he is giving me instruction on how to make it happen and he, along with a team of Badjao from that part of the Philippines will be visiting here around May 12th. Here is a link to a segment that was on 700 club Asia last year. It gives a little bit of background on the Badjao and how the BABC there has reached out to them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McWuqsh5CAETrough Through their outreach, a young girl, Arlene Eje, has become the first member of the Badjao tribe to ever graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. This was achieved on April 3rd of this year. You can see Arlene's testimony around the 7:20 mark in the video. Regular school has just let out for the Summer and I have two teachers here who are willing to help me get things off the ground while they are on vacation.

The method that BABC uses to educate the children is called the Alternative Learning System. It is done in modules and once a student completes each module they are tested by the department of education and once they pass they can advance to the next level until they reach the level of high school graduate. Then they receive a diploma from the Department of Education and are qualified to attend college. The best part is that I will be able to teach the entire group at one time rather than have several classes according to their age as all students will have to start at the grade one level. The curriculum required with the alternative learning system is the same as that of a formal education and It is very similar to the GED program in the US. In addition to the Alternative Learning System, we will also be enrolling some of the younger children into the public school system as they reach the appropriate age. I have two that already meet the requirements and they will be enrolled for the 2013-14 school year. They will be in need of uniforms and the basic school supplies which will come from the money raised from this campaign.

So here is my plan in a nut shell.Within the next two weeks I will lease a small building with a bathroom and kitchen. There are many properties available within walking distance of the tribes village. The closer the better. I will need tables and chairs for about 20 to 25 children initially. I will need to acquire the learning module work books for the students and other school supplies such as pencils, paper, calculators, and such. These items are fairly inexpensive. I will hire two teachers to work with the children in a classroom setting which will require a small salary.

In addition to the teaching, I will also incorporate my current feeding program into this project. During the days that classes are held I would provide breakfast and lunch. This would also be a big incentive for them to attend classes. Food is very important to these children! It is like bribery, but it works; and eventually these children will become more excited about learning rather than the free meals. Additional expenses will include water and electricity and based on my experiences with my apartment and business, these together should run around $50 per month. Also, I would like to purchase some decent clothing and provide some basic hygiene products for each child. Soap, tooth paste, shampoo, deodorant, etc. Believe me, they urgently need these items. The school will also provide classes in hygiene and child raising.
I have already assembled a medical and dental team which will examine children's and address their current needs. This two is a badly needed service for these children as they have obvious skin infections and reparatory problems. They are also in need of some dental work as well.

So here is what I am asking for from all of you who are reading this. If you total all of the expenses involved in starting this program I am in immediate need of just $2,000 to make it happen. This project is to educate children, who without something like this, have zero chance of having a decent life for themselves and escaping the cycle of poverty they are currently in. Just as Pastor Santiago has been able to educate the children in Luzon, I know I can achieve the same results here in Mindanao with your help.

Unfortunately I am not in a position myself to currently do this on my own and need outside help. This is where you come in to play. So thank you for taking the time to read this page and I hope you will find it in your heart to support this cause. If you are unable to contribute financially, please keep this project and of course the children of the Badjao tribe in your prayers.