9 #KwentongBABAYEnihan in Taguranao, Matalam, North Cotabato

BABAYEnihan against COVID-19 has reached Taguranao, Matalam, North Cotabato!

Jennifer, an indigenous woman from the  Kirinteken Erumanen Menuvu tribe, took 3 hours to reach the town of Carmen, as she traversed through Pulangi River, the 5th longest river in the Philippines. It was in Carmen that she bought rice and medicine to bring to her community in Purok Lubi, Taguranao. It was already a month into the lockdown when BABAYEnihan reached them. They have been eating kamote for the most part of the days, as the corn that they planted was a "failure", she said, due to the drought. They were worried that they will consume all the kamote before they were allowed to work again, or before the support from the government would reach them. 

But it is very difficult to reach them. After another 3 hour boat ride back from Carmen, Jennifer had to ride a horse, and/or walk for another 3 hours, to get to their community. The scorching heat since the boat ride and the walk up was punishing. 

On the second month of the lockdown, good news reached them - SAP has reached their barangay. But since there was supposed to be a quota or a limit to the number of recipients, they were all asked to submit forms, and it was turned into a raffle. The names to be picked are lucky SAP beneficiaries. 

The rice, vitamins and medicine which were bought from the BABAYEnihan funds (which came in two waves) were greatly appreciated by the Kirinteken Erumanen Menuvu community, as everyone received these, not by chance or luck. The support may be modest, but it made everyone feel important enough to be part of the BABAYEnihan. 

Thank you for your continuing support and solidarity. We feel the love. 

We will continue to share with you stories and photos when available of how your support has reached our indigenous women partners and families.