Posted by Jarvis Leonard DJ Laurilla on August 21, 2001 at 22:38:45:
Dear Kababayans,
Greetings! We from the Pampamilyang Paaralang Agrikultura, Inc. (PPAI) write to you in goodwill and in peace!
The PPAI is the organizing body of the Family Farm Schools or FFS (http://familyfarmschool.zibyschool.com) here in the Philippines. The first family farm school started in Dagatan, Lipa City in 1986. Ten years later, five more schools are in operation: Balete FFS (Batangas), Jalajala FFS (Rizal), Dingle FFS (Iloilo), Bais FFS (Negros Oriental), and Talon FFS (also in Batangas). This is just the starting point for the development of more FFS in the country. However, there is still much more to be done.
As Filipinos living abroad, we would like you to be a part of an organization that provides assistance to our needy “kababayan”, the marginal Filipino farmers in the countryside.
Despite the continued efforts of the country towards achieving full industrialization for the coming millenium, a greater majority of us still heavily depend on agriculture. We do not realize that we are leaving the farmers behind in our quest for progress if we do not help them and their children cope with the changing times.
This is the reason why we have set up FAMILY FARM SCHOOLS in the country – to uplift the standard of living of the farmers through a vital important tool – the education of their children. We believe that through education, there is empowerment, and in empowerment comes development. Development is what a developing country such as ours aspires for. Development not only in terms of economic measures but also total development of the children – professional/intellectual, human/social, and moral/spiritual aspects. These are what we believe every Filipino farmer’s child should have in order to keep up with the demands of the present. But most importantly, these are his tools to fight poverty. He does not have to go to the city just to find a job, but instead he can be an entrepreneur by applying in his farm what he has learned from the family farm school. As we say in our credo, “We have been planting the seeds of a strong agricultural economy." We believe that this is a very noble vision worth pursuing.
What makes the family farm school different from the rest is that the farmers are given back their role as teachers – they are actively involved in the education of their children. Below are some of the unique features of our school:
· The students spend a week in a “live-in class” at school and two weeks in the farm.
· Tutors of the family farm schools visit each family during the two-week period in the farm.
· The students go for a study visit to different places while in school.
· Weekly professionals are invited to give lectures on topics related to study themes.
The education of our students is subsidized. They have undergone a carefully rigid selection process in the hope of making them the key catalysts or leaders in their communities. With only six family farm schools in the country averaging 120 students per school, we need to pull up all our resources to enable the schools to accommodate more deserving students. Our goal is for more family farm schools to exist in every province in the country. We emphasize on the development of the secondary and post-secondary levels, as a critical stage in our youth’s lives – transitory to adulthood and maturity.
It is also our vision that the various FFS grow to be self-sufficient and sustainable. This is where we need your help. With this fund raising project, we are trying to set up a trust fund to achieve this end. As an organization, which solely relies on sensitive and generous individuals and entities such as yours, we envision that your support and contribution will make a significant difference to the lives of these children. The distance between us may be far and beyond, but our bayanihan spirit and brotherhood still remain.
You can help us. We provide a wide range of options for potential donors such as you in order for you to have flexibility, knowing your other financial needs and demands. Please look over our donation chart (http://familyfarmschool.zibyschool.com/members/002227386/Site1/Donors'_Page.html) and see where it best fits in your capacity. If you want more information, do not hesitate to contact me at the following:
PAMPAMILYANG PAARALANG AGRIKULTURA, INC.
PIECO Building, 2242 Don Chino Roces Avenue
1231 Makati City, Philippines
Tel. Nos. (0632)892-8977 to 78; Fax: (0632)815-1411
E-mail: ffs@qinet.net; Web Site: http://familyfarmschool.zibyschool.com
We look forward to making you partners in our campaign to uplift the lives of our Filipino farmers and their children.
Sincerely,
Jarvis Leonard DJ Laurilla
Fund Raising Officer