Canada helps Bajaus succeed in new community
San Simon, Pampanga - Canada is helping indigenous Bajaus settle in their new community by providing food and school supplies for children and livelihood skills for women.
The Embassy of Canada through its Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) has partnered with the non-governmental organization God’s Love for Indigents Ministry (GLIM) to support migrant Bajaus living in Pampanga, having been displaced from their original homes in Western Mindanao.
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Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornley greets Bajao children in their resettlement site in Barangay San Jose, San Simon, Pampanga during a recent visit to the community.
With the funding from the embassy more than 100 Bajaus now have access to child and youth development activities to improve their literacy, while adults have opportunities for livelihood training on rug-making, jewelry-design, and gardening.
In a recent visit to their community in San Simon, Pampanga, Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines Christopher Thornley witnessed how Bajaus have been improving their living conditions.
Ambassador Christopher Thornley looks at the various pearl jewelry and accessories that were made by the Bajaus living in their new community in San Simon, Pampanga during a recent visit. Canada is assisting the migrant Bajaus through livelihood training for adults and education for children.
“It is wonderful to see the shared commitment of GLIM, its volunteers, and the local government in supporting the Bajau people. I am delighted that Canada is a partner in this effort to empower these marginalized and vulnerable members of the community,” Ambassador Thornley said.
Perla Villanueva, GLIM director said her organization has been supporting and organizing the Bajau community in the neighboring town of Apalit since 2004. “GLIM has been encouraging Bajau children to study in the formal public school system. A few of these children have received academic recognition, reinforcing GLIM’s resolve to work more for their social and economic development,” Ms. Villanueva explained.
Ambassador Christopher Thornley and young Bajau children in San Simon, Pampanga during a recent visit to the community. Canada is helping Bajau children improve their literacy through nutrition and educational programs by partnering with the non-governmental organization God’s Love for Indigents Ministry (GLIM).
GLIM’s strategy is similar to the Philippine government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program. Bajaus participating in the various training sessions receive food provisions. “The program is motivating the Bajaus to fully participate in the training, and proving a real option to peddling on the streets. In giving parents a means of livelihood, we have seen that the children who were often used in the past to solicit money are now being protected from the dangers of the street,” Ms. Villanueva added.
The Bajaus have been displaced from their traditional homeland in parts of Western Coastal Mindanao due to a number of factors including poverty, commercialized fishing and civil strife. Currently, over 10,000 Bajau migrants live in various places in Central Luzon.
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