zaterdag 4 september 2010
Phillipines
Just back from a trip to Mindanao in the Southern Philippines. I also visited the region of Cotabato to make a few radio stories about the peace process. I have come to the conclusion that without peace and development this region is doomed to failure and chaos. I have therefore developed a project to try to contribute my share to the peace process that started earlier this year.
My plan is to get some money together enabling me to send a few Christian, Muslim and Lumad - original population - children to elementary school and have them spend their vacations together. After elementary school to college and have them possibly follow a higher educational system. We follow these children during a longer period of time for several media outlets in print, television and radio. In the end these children, of a very different religieus background, will share so much together and have so much in common that they, in their turn, can influence their religious, political and possibly social-economic environment. So they can transfer and share a mutual feeling and sentiment of belonging and social justice.
It is a very long term project.
I start with two 5 year old boys and one girl of the same age from the region near Pikit, a town that suffered heavily from the internal war. It is approximately 100 miles northeast of Cotabato the capital of Mindanao. This region has been at the center of heavy battles between te government troops, assisted by U.S. advisors on the one hand, and moslim insurgents on the other. They fight for an independent Mindanao. The war is somewhat more complicated as bandits as well as kidnappers are active here.
I am looking for some money to start sending these three children to school and start a foundation to reach my goal. I expect to send many more to school for an education. I am looking for your cooperation and a contribution of at least $200 (two hundred dollars) a year, during a six year period.
My project is supported by high ranking U.N., Dutch and American officials and citizens. But my request to you is to recommend one or preferably two friends, who would want to contribute as well and to whom I will ask to recommend two of their friends.
If you have questions or remarks about this project, or if you'd like to participate in it, please click the 'Contact me' button in the menu to left of this text.
Mindanao Background:
Mindanao is approximately the size of Massachussets. There are more muslim inhabitants than elsewhere in the Philippines. Yet it is more Christian because of the larger number of Christians living here. The original people are the Lumad.
Muslims live predominantly in and around Marawi, around the lakes of Lanao and in Cotabato. There are considerable cultural differences between these three peoples.
The economy is predominantly based on agriculture with vast banana-, pinapple-, mais-, and citrusplantations.
There are large cattle ranches. Outside the populated areas people mainly live of fish as the province consists of several islands.
Most of not all the foreign embassies in Manila have a travel warning for Mindanao. They say it is extremely dangerous to travel around. There are relatively many kidnappings executed by the militant muslim group of Abu Sayyaf. Both Philippinos as well as foreigners are targets for abduction for a ransom. Several have been executed for a number of reasons.
There are more groups active in the striggle for independence of the region. We know of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the New Peoples Army of the Communist Party. Airports, roads, bridges, buses and ferries have been bombed as well as shopping centers and ferry boats.
Western reporters and observers are discouraged to visit this dangerous region resulting in alarmingly little news and information of this region.
The future depends on the ability of its children to guide into peace and prosperity. They would want to leave the world in a better shape than they found it. And they depend on us.
I would want to give them a possible chance for peace, development and a socially more acceptable and responsible future. With your cooperation.
Anton Foek
November 30th, 2003
My plan is to get some money together enabling me to send a few Christian, Muslim and Lumad - original population - children to elementary school and have them spend their vacations together. After elementary school to college and have them possibly follow a higher educational system. We follow these children during a longer period of time for several media outlets in print, television and radio. In the end these children, of a very different religieus background, will share so much together and have so much in common that they, in their turn, can influence their religious, political and possibly social-economic environment. So they can transfer and share a mutual feeling and sentiment of belonging and social justice.
It is a very long term project.
I start with two 5 year old boys and one girl of the same age from the region near Pikit, a town that suffered heavily from the internal war. It is approximately 100 miles northeast of Cotabato the capital of Mindanao. This region has been at the center of heavy battles between te government troops, assisted by U.S. advisors on the one hand, and moslim insurgents on the other. They fight for an independent Mindanao. The war is somewhat more complicated as bandits as well as kidnappers are active here.
I am looking for some money to start sending these three children to school and start a foundation to reach my goal. I expect to send many more to school for an education. I am looking for your cooperation and a contribution of at least $200 (two hundred dollars) a year, during a six year period.
My project is supported by high ranking U.N., Dutch and American officials and citizens. But my request to you is to recommend one or preferably two friends, who would want to contribute as well and to whom I will ask to recommend two of their friends.
If you have questions or remarks about this project, or if you'd like to participate in it, please click the 'Contact me' button in the menu to left of this text.
Mindanao Background:
Mindanao is approximately the size of Massachussets. There are more muslim inhabitants than elsewhere in the Philippines. Yet it is more Christian because of the larger number of Christians living here. The original people are the Lumad.
Muslims live predominantly in and around Marawi, around the lakes of Lanao and in Cotabato. There are considerable cultural differences between these three peoples.
The economy is predominantly based on agriculture with vast banana-, pinapple-, mais-, and citrusplantations.
There are large cattle ranches. Outside the populated areas people mainly live of fish as the province consists of several islands.
Most of not all the foreign embassies in Manila have a travel warning for Mindanao. They say it is extremely dangerous to travel around. There are relatively many kidnappings executed by the militant muslim group of Abu Sayyaf. Both Philippinos as well as foreigners are targets for abduction for a ransom. Several have been executed for a number of reasons.
There are more groups active in the striggle for independence of the region. We know of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the New Peoples Army of the Communist Party. Airports, roads, bridges, buses and ferries have been bombed as well as shopping centers and ferry boats.
Western reporters and observers are discouraged to visit this dangerous region resulting in alarmingly little news and information of this region.
The future depends on the ability of its children to guide into peace and prosperity. They would want to leave the world in a better shape than they found it. And they depend on us.
I would want to give them a possible chance for peace, development and a socially more acceptable and responsible future. With your cooperation.
Anton Foek
November 30th, 2003
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