Stand with Indigenous Students & Teachers!

Indigenous students and teachers in the Philippines are fighting for their education. As global forces of imperialism, historic colonialism, capitalism, and environmental destruction continue to undermine their livelihoods,  indigenous peoples throughout the archipelago known as the Philippines continue to protect their lands, cultures,  and traditional ways of life. Two indigenous communities are requesting support to provide direct aid to their teachers and students, aid which contributes to their sovereignty and self-determination. 100% of donations will directly support:

1. The LASIWWAI (Lake Sebu Indigenous Women Weavers Association Inc.)/ Lasiwwai Learning Institute, T'boli Community.  The LASIWWAI is a non-profit community-based organization comprised of 85 weavers. The organization promotes ikat weaving as a source of livelihood for indigenous women, as well as an integral part of their indigenous culture.

This fundraiser will directly support the salaries of 3 teachers at the Lasiwwai Learning Institute, T'boli Community. Their school is the only one in the area that's been permitted to continue operating by DepEd during the pandemic. Their start date has been moved to Oct. 5. Salary and honorarium for the school year for 3 teachers to continue running an IP school in Central Mindanao. (P7,000/month each for the school year, Total: $4,000)

2. The Agusan del Sur School of Living Traditions (SLT) students/weavers/embroiderers in Agusan del Sur, Mindanao. The Agusan School of Living Traditions is committed to keeping alive the peoples’ indigenous ways of life, in particular, the tradition of Suyam embroidery unique to the region.

This fundraiser will directly assist Indigenous children in La Paz, Agusan del Sur obtain formal education so they will have a chance to stop the cycle of poverty, abuse, exploitation, and suffering. Since many of these children's parents are unable to financially support their continuing education especially during the time of pandemic, it is up to us, the larger community, to step in and extend our support. May you be repaid for your kindness and generosity a hundredfold.

The Center for Babaylan Studies (CfBS) has had long-standing relationships with both communities c/o Jenita Eko, President of LASIWWAI and Grace Nono, Founder and President of Tao Foundation for Culture and the Arts, respectively. CfBS is committed to offering a match of up to $1,500 if our GoFundMe campaign meets our goal of $4,000. Our $1,500 will cover the gap needed to fully fund the above the needs.

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As a show of gratitude for your generous support of the students and teachers who would be directly supported by this campaign, two beautifully embroidered tops will be offered to the first two donors who give $400 or more to the campaign, which would pay for the laptops and living expenses of Agusan-Manobo students. Two of the students and artisans who have created these pieces are GEMMA GRACE C. GONZALEZ and EDMAR COGUIT (pictured below).

Learn more about the background of Suyam (Embroidery) by the Manobo Community in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur:




More about the T'bolis in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, Philippines and the challenges they are facing: