Vienna, Austria. On Monday, January 16, 2017, Filipino charity Katilingban Para Sa Kalambuan Inc (KKI), headed by Fr. Angel Calvo, CMF of the Philippine Province, received the 2016 Stars Impact Award during the Philanthropreneurship Forum “Generation Impact: Harnessing the Power of Giving” held at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria. The Stars Foundation who recognises and rewards outstanding local NGOs working to improve the wellbeing and life chances of children in countries with the highest rates of under-five mortality, had chosen KKI for its endeavours.
Katilingban Para Sa Kalambuan, Inc., established in 1995, runs programmes on democratic participation and good governance, children’s rights and youth development, access to basic social services, economic security, sustainable agriculture and a culture of peace. It empowers displaced people fleeing conflict both socially and economically. This includes educating communities on more equitable governance, helping them to plan and implement programs, and access resources and services, and strengthening their self-reliance. It also trains local women on primary health care, establishes pre-schools and supports families with land and resources. It has a strong advocacy programme promoting child and youth rights with workshops and individual mentoring for young people. The highly complex and sensitive context means KKI’s work is needed and highly regarded by government officials and other organisations. In 2015, KKI reached 275 children.
Together with KKI, 23 other NGOs from 11 countries also received an award for their relentless work with the disadvantaged children. As part of the award package, KKI received US$50,000 of flexible funding and capacity building support.
Katilingban Para Sa Kalambuan, Inc.
Challenge
Zamboanga City in the western part of the Philippine island of Mindanao is home to a population composed of several ethno-linguistic groups, including Muslims, Christians and indigenous people. It has been the refuge of many evacuees coming from the neighbouring provinces, where there are high rates of social and political insecurity.
In 2013, Zamboanga City was plunged into conflict pitting military troops against a faction of the Moro National Liberation Front in a siege that lasted 20 days. At least 200 civilians were killed in the fighting. Around 10,000 homes were destroyed, villages were razed and around 120,000 people displaced, mainly Muslims. The war devastated the social and economic fabric of the region and its residents still suffer the consequences three years later.
Thousands are still displaced and live in temporary shelters around in the area. The problem has been exacerbated by chronic insecurity and climate cycles that threaten food security and the availability of clean drinking water. Many in temporary accommodation still lack water and sanitation and livelihoods have been severely affected.
Response
Katilingban Para Sa Kalambuan, Inc. (KKI), is a community development organisation that has been working in the area for the last 20 years. It promotes democratic participation and good governance, children’s rights and youth development, access to basic social services, economic security, sustainable agriculture and a culture of peace.
KKI works to socially and economically empower displaced people fleeing conflict. It helps educate communities on how to promote better and more equitable governance, helping them to plan and implement programs, and access resources and services, to transform them into self-reliant, self-sufficient, self-governing organisations. It trains local women on primary health care and helps communities establish pre-schools. It also supports selected families with land and resources.
KKI has a strong advocacy programme which works to promote the rights of children and youth, conducting workshops and individual mentoring for young people. The highly complex and sensitive context in which it operates makes KKI’s work both needed and highly regarded by local government officials and other organisations. In 2015, KKI reached 275 children.
Photo: Alvin Dacanay
Stars Foundation Impact Award: http://www.starsfoundation.org.uk/awards/impact-awards
