Work With the Poor

 

In line with the CFC-FFL’s thrust of evangelization while living a preferential option for  the poor, the CFC-FFL District at Occidental Mindoro had started building a chapel for the Mangyans of the Iraya Tribe at  Sitio Atipan, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.

 

CFCFFL brethren and Mangyans started a fellowship with a worship at the chapel construction site, Nov. 23, 2008.

The Mangyan Village was adopted by the CFC-FFL Chapter at Abra de Ilog as their mission area. It is composed of 50  Mangyan families of about 250 individuals, living in a hilly portion a few kilometers from the town proper. Due to neglect or lack of action by concerned authorities, the tribe is living in poverty because of lack of opportunities and of discrimination. One reason is illiteracy. Only 10% of them are literate.  The  parish chapter started the mission by inviting the families to a Christian Life Seminar at the town proper. From the tribe, 7 couples and 2 singles graduated by 1^st week of November 2008.

 

The chapter is now undertaking the building of a chapel in preparation for the holding of the CLS at the village by January 2009.

 

The chapel is also part of the CFC-FFL Occidental Mindoro’s vision of turning the Mangyan Village into a Restoration Village. However, the team cannot do it alone. With the support of the entire CFC-FFL community through its Work with the Poor (WWP) ministry and with God’s blessing and goodness, their vision will be realized.

 

              The Mangyan Village       A chapel rises from the village grounds

 

                                      

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