SARANGANI
Sarangani, Philippines
Sarangani got its name due to its proximity to Sarangani Bay. It has a total population of 558,946 people in the 2020 census. Majority of the population are Christians, with 48% as Roman Catholics and 31% as Protestants. Other religious minorities include Islam (9%), Iglesia ni Cristo (2% – an independent nontrinitarian church) and others (10%).
The main source of income comes from agriculture like coconut, corn, rice, rubber and sugarcane plantations. Philippine Statistics Authority shows that almost 50% of the population in Sarangani lives below the poverty line between the years 2009-2015 with a slight improvement to 41% in 2018.
How RiverLife has been working with this Community
RiverLife has been reaching out to the indigineous people known as the B'laan tribe who live in pockets of communities in the mountains of Sarangani. Key initiatives were done through planting churches, raising up church leaders and working with the pastors there to alleviate food shortage issues by giving relief goods and livelihood initiatives in recent times. They reside in the mountain ranges of Southern Mindanao, Philippines, making travelling to nearest towns challenging due to long and undulating terrains.
In 2015, Bethel Glory Community Fellowship (BGCFC) was established by RiverLife Church (RLC). In a span of 5 years, this organic work grew into 12 churches. As of February 2022, there are 15 churches being planted as a result of RiverLife faithful sowing in the province. Additionally, medical missions organised by RLC helped the community in Sarangani to receive free health checkups and medicines.
In 2021, MFH Sarangani was initiated as a call to empower an entire generation of youths from the B’laan tribe with critical access to education through the building of a dormitory. With the support of RiverLifers, the funding target of $80,000 was successfully achieved and construction of the dormitory has commenced since Dec 2021. As the COVID-19 pandemic and rat infestation disrupted livelihoods & food sources, MFH Sarangani also stepped in to provide urgent pandemic relief in the form of rice, food, and other necessities to members of 14 B’laan churches in the mountains of Sarangani.
Due to the tough terrain, travelling to school is a challenge among the youths as the nearest secondary school is 1 to 2 hours travel from the mountains of Sarangani where the B’laan tribe lives. The MFH Sarangani team aims to empower the B’laan youths by providing a strong foundation in education, spiritual formation and in livelihood training skills.
In 2022, the MFH Sarangani team seeks to enable 16 B’laan youths to have better access to secondary education by providing and sponsoring their dormitory accommodation and personal living expenses while they study. The team will also focus on the spiritual development and formation of the students by organising nightly devotions and Christian courses.
How are we working with the community in MFH 2022?
Spiritual Discipleship for Dormitory Students
Equip the youths with knowledge of the Christian faith as well as life skills so as to raise them up as leaders and disciple makers in their own churches.
Lead evening devotions with the dormitory students over Zoom twice a month over Zoom, and be a spiritual parent by praying and discipling a B’laan youth who is living in the dormitory and away from their parents.
Embark in Church Planting
Experience what it is like to identify, reach out and plant a church in the mountains of Sarangani.
Hear from the local church pastor on the ongoing church planting efforts, and support him through prayer.
Support a Medical Missions Project
Support a local medical team who will serve and provide medical checks and aids to the B’laan tribe.
Build awareness for the situation in Sarangani and collect donations to provide for the medical missions project.
Make a Donation.
You can also give via UEN or Bank Transfer.
Via UEN: 200100806DTNO
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Via Bank Transfer: UOB Account 450-309634-4
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