Food and Healthcare for the Mangyan people in the Philippines

Project background

The Mangyan people are amongst the poorest and most marginalised of all Filipinos.  Physically and socially isolated, they have no access to mainstream health and education services. Around 60% of children are malnourished, 90% of the population do not have access to safe drinking water and infant mortality rates are exceptionally high: a child is considered fortunate if they reach the age of ten.

The Project

This project will help to fulfil the communities' right to adequate and appropriate food.  Child mortality will be reduced as there will be less hunger and the improved quality of food will increase the children's immunity and resistance to illness.

Improved and sustainable livelihoods will provide lasting sources of income that will help families to improve their quality of life. Underpinning this will be security of ancestral land ownership and inclusion in local government activities and services.

All Plan projects depend on the active participation of everyone in the communities involved. This one was requested by the Mangyan community in 2007. Since Plan has facilitated a series of consultations and workshops with the communities, local partners and regional government.

The Mangyan have a strong tradition of supporting and helping neighbours. This project will be helped by their openness and strong capability to organise.

All activities will be both environmentally and economically sustainable. The project will build on local indigenous ways of farming and focus on environmentally friendly uses of land resources. The project will also ensure financial, institutional and policy sustainability after the proposed five year period. By the time the project formally comes to an end its income should be provided from community farm based enterprises that form part of the project.

Phone 0800 526 848 for more information or to make a donation to this project.