OASIS Breaks The Hunger Cycle in Remote Mindanao 

In the conflict-scarred mountains of northern Mindanao, hunger is as much a part of the landscape as the wind and rain. Among the nomadic tribes scattered across these remote villages, children grow up familiar with the ache of empty stomachs. Their faces tell stories of malnutrition, their eyes reflecting the uncertainty of where their next meal will come from. 

God cares about the dull ache of hunger. For generations, these communities have lived with one constant, urgent goal: finding enough food to survive—not just for today, but for tomorrow and the days that follow.  

The closest reliable food source is the city center, a four-hour walk each way. But food transportation is tightly controlled by the military, which limits families to just 10 kilograms per trip—an effort to keep supplies from falling into rebel hands. For families with many mouths to feed, this means making the grueling eight-hour round trip several times a week. 

Determined to break free from this cycle, the communities turned to farming. The mountains, with their fertile soil and climate, seemed promising—perfect for abaca, corn, and rice. But the lack of local milling facilities and market access turned these efforts into a losing battle. Each harvest required borrowing capital, and profits were swallowed by the ₱1,500 (approx. $30) transportation fee per trip—more than triple the daily minimum wage. 

Many farmers abandoned their fields, convinced there was no future in agriculture. This despair created fertile ground for rebel recruiters, who offered food and security to desperate families. 

When INfire arrived, the skepticism was palpable. Years of hardship had left the community doubtful that real change was possible. But we were undeterred.  

The result is the OASIS Program (One-Stop Agricultural Stop and Information Service), a comprehensive initiative designed to address the community’s needs: 

• A milling facility capable of processing 400–500 kilograms of rice and corn daily, eliminating the need for costly trips to the city center. 

• Hands-on training programs to help farmers grow higher-quality crops, particularly hybrid abaca, which sells for twice the price of traditional varieties. 

• The FAITH Program (Food Always in the Home), empowering families to grow their own food to meet their needs and generate surplus for income. 

Slowly, the community has accepted the results. Farmers who once doubted agriculture’s potential now lead training sessions for their neighbors.  

The first hybrid abaca harvest fetched double the usual price, proving that prosperity is possible even within the constraints of regional security.  

The milling facility now operates daily, providing steady income and eliminating the costly trips to the city. 

Looking ahead, the community is planning to expand hybrid abaca production and develop more local processing capabilities. They’re also working closely with authorities to ensure these efforts align with regional security while driving sustainable growth.