Building a Future in Mintosing, Philippines: The Story of a School

As part of our promise to the indigenous datus (chiefs) from the Manobo, Banwaon, and Talaandig tribes in Mindanao, PROJECT AK-47 built and launched a new school in the mountain village of Mintosing. This school is the beginning of a bright and peaceful future for all the children of Mintosing. Something many of them never knew was possible. 

Building a school in Mindanao was no easy task. Once the money was sent to the Philippines, materials were purchased in the lowlands and transported 55 kilometers into the mountains on habal-habal (motorcycles modified with boards on the sides for passengers or cargo). They had to fight steep dirt roads, ditches and flowing streams before the building could even begin!

While local men were hired to cut boards from fallen trees in the forest, men and boys from Mintosing carried the purchased materials 20 kilometers through the jungles to their village. For another month, skilled indigenous men used all of the wood and materials to build the school. Then we hired a teacher, registered the first thirty students, and secured books and curriculum for the children.

Finally, the day came for us to dedicate the school and begin classes. Imagine the excitement in the hearts of these children, as they woke up, washed up at the river a kilometer away (as there is still no water in this village), and hurried to attend the first day of school in their lives! None of them could read or write, or add and subtract, so all of the children, from age 5 – 15 had to begin together in one class. It was truly an amazing site to see!

THANK YOU for helping make the Mintosing school a reality. The lives of these children and future generations will be forever changed.

We are always looking forward and planning our next project. Our work will not be finished until every child has a school to attend. By joining our #SCHOOLSSAVE campaign, you will help us do just that. Become a fundraiser or a donor today!