‘Kabuhayan’ Program

New Project for 2008

In the Filipino language, ‘buhay’ means life and ‘kabuhayan’ means ‘something that gives life’. This program aims to provide disadvantaged and marginalised households with a start to some simple economic activities so that they can buy food to eat, and hopefully, also provide for their other needs. The projects under this program cover activities which do not fall under any of the preceding three programs that ABM supports in the Philippines. Backstrap weaving, a traditional activity in many remote and mountainous areas in northern Luzon, is linked to cultural pride (different colours in the woven cloth identify individual tribes). Reviving this activity through the provision of basic weaving materials not only provides an alternative source of income for community members but is also a way of preserving and honouring tribal culture. Support will include the provision of training and workshops to give women basic business skills as well as exposure to weaving centres for additional design ideas. Other activities in this program include sugarcane farming and strawberry farming. With the help of development workers, communities identify basic livelihood activities that are appropriate to the conditions in their area.

Here are some of the ways your gift will be used:

• $7 pays for one potted strawberry runner and all associated costs such as transportation, transfers, re-potting, etc.
• $300 is the cost of community skills training in weaving and design
• $1,550 buys one sugarcane presser, including a 2HP engine
• $2,500 will pay for one ‘mud’ boat which will be used to transport agricultural produce from the community to the nearest town

We need to raise $20,000* in 2008
You can Donate Now to this project by selecting PHP Kabuhayan
*Donations to this project are tax deductible for individuals.