GLOBAL RECONCILIATION PROJECTS
in partnership with Kalumonan Development Centre and House of Joy Orphanage,
San Isidro, Davao Oriental, Philippines
FISH FARMING
In 2002, Mattias Norlander and Richard Lawson (a volunteer at that time) made headway in one of San Isidro's Islamic communities called Belayong. GRP had provided the first opportunity of interaction between Europeans and Muslims in the community in living memory. These early meetings were to pave the way to a special development relationship and eventually disproved the generally accepted view of many that it was not possible for Westerners of essentially " Christian" backgrounds to be able to work closely and safely with Islamic communities in Southern Philippines. In fact, the goodwill relationship became the turning point in the success of GRP's community projects.
The community itself was generally dependent on subsistence farming which rarely provided the families with any substantial or regular form of income. An agreement was made between Belayong community, GRP Kalumonan Development Centre and Lupon School of Fisheries that utilizing an existing lake as a fish farm (tilapia fish) for a viable project.
The role of each group group involved was identified as follows:
KALUMONAN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
To organize and mobilize the community, while ensuring that the community had a full understanding of the project at all stages of development.
BELAYONG COMMUNITY
To provide labour and building skills during the physical
construction and to
work closely with GRP and volunteers on a daily basis.
LUPON SCHOOL OF FISHERIES
The regional fisheries School to provide all technical assistance and to donate the first "fingerling" fish stock to the project.
GLOBAL RECONCILIATION PROJECTS
To provide the funds for the construction materials, meals during the construction and volunteers to act as catalysts.
A legal agreement was made, and it was agreed by all parties that the project would be for a minimum of twenty years.
THE OUTCOME
The fish ponds were completed in June 2003 after many enjoyable days where up to eight y(80) people worked together to make the project a success. All the work carried out was manual with a huge tonnage of soil, silt and mud being moved to provide the embankment for containing the lake and deepened pools to hold the nets.
Originally, the project was to provide protein supplement and additional income for twenty families (100 people). however, after the success of the first harvest in November 2003, the project has now grown to support over 30 families (150) people, without all of the expenses being used from the project's profits.
GRP 19 Prospect Link, Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland BT38 8QT. Mobile 07876270733 Landline 02893365342 e-mail grpinfo@btopenworld.com