Save Our Schools, Protect Indigenous Life
Save Our Schools, Protect Indigenous Life

Project Information
Supporting community learning centers for indigenous children in Mindanao, Philippines.
Describe the need affecting community
How will this Advance project help to address the need?
While the SOS network has had some success in its lobbying efforts and been able to raise material support for the existing schools, the attacks against the community learning centers, their communities, and teachers continue. The lack of access to education in rural communities still persists. The project will focus on three aspects: 1) raising the capacities of indigenous peoples to manage schools and protect indigenous life; 2) expanding the network of community learning centers serving indigenous children throughout Mindanao which will serve an additional shield and inspiration to other communities; 3) cultivating an international support network for Save Our Schools, Protect Indigenous Life.
Describe the primary goal of the project
The project seeks to ensure the continued enjoyment by indigenous children of their right to culturally-appropriate education in a sustained and stable environment conducive to learning in their ancestral domain.
Describe the change you would like to see in the community as a result of this Advance project
1. 1000 additional children will have access to free, quality, culturally-appropriate education in their ancestral domain. 2. Indigenous leaders, especially the women and children will have a solid understanding and deep commitment and active engagement in the defense and promotion of human rights and the right to education. 3. Increased number of regional and local government officials and politicians are open to dialogue with the indigenous communities, publicly speak about the threats they are facing and support policy reforms that ensure the continued operation of the alternative learning institutions and guarantee a just and peaceful solution for the Manobo community.