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ble environmental and livelihood-building activities
that could enhance the community’s living condi-
tions holistically.
Starting with the planting of mangrove seedlings on
five hectares of shoreline, this effort aimed to establish
natural nurseries for fish to spawn, in turn allowing
villagers to increase their catch. In addition, a mangrove
nursery was introduced to support the mangrove-plant-
ing project and in tandem provide additional income
to the community as the seedlings were also sold to
government agencies and other NGOs to start mangrove
re-plantation at other coastal sites. Two water systems
were constructed, managed by local communities, to
provide a steady supply of potable water to at least
466 households with 3,262 beneficiaries at Luan and
Poblacion. Herbal farming projects were implemented
to provide 786 households with alternative remedies to
treat basic medical conditions instead of seeking expen-
sive modern treatment in town. With increased income
and savings, parents can now set aside a budget for their
children’s education.
Changed approach, changed impact in Indonesia
Studies conducted by Indonesia’s Ministry of National
Education showed that most teachers and princi-
pals were under-qualified in terms of their teaching
techniques, school management and operational effec-
tiveness. These in turn affected the quality and attitude
of students graduating from the schools, and there was a
high student drop-out rate. This trend persisted despite
efforts by the provincial education board to invest funds
in rehabilitating and improving school infrastructures
Sustainability of livelihood opportunities is paramount to any
household. Water is crucial to immediate survival and sustain-
able development in disadvantaged communities. A development
project that provides potable water and water for farming is virtu-
ally certain of winning over targeted communities. Macro issues
such as education, the threat and spread of avian flu and HIV, or
environmental degradation, are least proximate to these communi-
ties in terms of consciousness.
Mercy Relief’s approach to education
With the understanding that longer-term objective comprehensive
needs must begin to prevail over immediate, subjective personal
requirements in disadvantaged communities’ pursuit of develop-
ment, Mercy Relief has formulated its development programme
approach to integrate the five focused areas of water and sanitation,
shelter, livelihood, healthcare and education. Education provides
the mental challenges, knowledge and skills required by communi-
ties to enable them to help themselves out of poverty.
An improved environment in the Philippines
The poverty-stricken province of Zambales in the Philippines
lacks economic diversification due to environmental degradation
triggered by improper management of natural resources, natural
disasters due to climate change, and the limitations of rural devel-
opment funds. The situation is exacerbated by the scarcity of
clean and potable water, coupled with the high costs of medical
treatment, which prevent many parents from budgeting for their
children’s education.
These problems motivated Mercy Relief to engage in a project
in the coastal district of Palauig, aimed at triggering a new culture
of knowledge-seeking for community development. Public
forums were set up to encourage the villagers to explore possi-
Riau Islands, Indonesia – Principals and teachers attend workshops that help them
plan and design new methods of delivery and activities to keep education exciting
and appealing. Interactive learning and presentations are features of the new model
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam – Students go through an unconventional
system of language learning which culminates in presentations on
foreign cultures, confidently conducted in English, for their foreign
benefactors and friends
Image: Mercy Relief
Image: Mercy Relief