FIRST RANAO PAR ZONE HEALTH CARE TRAINING LAUNCHED  By Mei Solocasa

MAY 04-08, 2009, Poona Piagapo, Lanao del Norte--Peacebuilders Community, Reach International and ECOWeb worked together to start the Healthcare Training and Services in this municipality.  The 2-day training was participated by 32 people from the 6 baranggays (Nunungan, Pyangamangaan, Pantao, Kablangan, Pantao Raya, Poblacion) of the municipality.  On the third day, the trainees were exposed to a medical clinic accommodating 82 patients who come from the said barangays.  The medical team was welcomed warmly by the Maranao community, and was given the opportunity to live closely with their language and culture.

In spite of the hardships to rehabilitate their communities after the devastation caused by armed encounters that happened last August 2008, the team was warmly offered with places to sleep and food to eat during their stay.  The team was hosted in Poblacion during the first 3 days of the healthcare training, and was hosted in Pyangamangaan during the remaining 2 days of the medical clinic.  

PEACE AND RECONCILIATION 1:
BASIC COURSE

This is an introductory seminar on Peace and Reconciliation (PAR) for those who are new to peace advocacy.  What is peace and peacebuilding?  What is reconciliation?  Why do people get into conflict?  How does conflict transform a person and a whole community?

PEACE AND RECONCILIATION 2:
SKILLS FOR EVERYONE

You have a basic understanding on how conflict transforms a person and a whole community.  You're wondering what you can do as an ordinary citizen.  Be a peacebuilder in your neighborhood, in your religious community, in your office, at school, and in your own home!

FISHING FOR RELIEF: LISTENING TO
THE PEOPLE OF LIGAWASAN
By Christina Bartel-Barkman

In the face of ongoing conflict, recent flooding and drowned crops, fishing is becoming the main source of income and food for the people of Macasindeg.  PBCI staff and their Canadian visitor, Gerd Bartel, distributed 350 fishnets on October 16, 2008.  In a follow-up discussion, the community’s leader said, “We are now really experiencing the fruit of your gifts!”  The fishnets are enabling the community to feed and support themselves on an on-going basis.

PEACE AND RECONCILIATION 3:
FOR THE HEALING OF OUR LAND

Why are there armed struggles in the Philippines?  What are the factors contributing to the political and economic instability in our land? As a faith community, as a business corporation, as an academic institution, are there any creative, fresh, and inspiring things we can do together to build peace and bring healing to our land?

FIRST PEACE AND RECONCILIATION TEAM
IS SENT-OUT FOR DUTY IN MIDSAYAP
By Dann Pantoja

18 young people from the three people groups of Mindanao (Bangsamoro, Lumad, and Migrants) finished the one-year training course to qualify as members of the Peace and Reconciliation Team (PAR-T).  These teams are composed of local volunteers from various conflict areas of Mindanao.

ON A JOURNEY TOGETHER
IN BUILDING JUST-PEACE
By Dann Pantoja

Elwyn Neri, our field worker, used to be so antagonistic with the people in military uniform.  Col. Pedro Soria, the Commanding Officer of the 602nd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army, used to think of "peace and order" as mere anti-insurgency.  Elwyn and Col. Soria went through a personal transformation when they both participated in a peacebuilding course.