The Tagbanua Tribe: Advocating For Education
"Irit Irit", I was told. Illiterate, she meant. That was the description I was given when I asked a local Tagbanua about her child. That is the truth for most of the Tagbanua nation and Indigenous People of Palawan. Education is such a lofty pursuit for so many IPs. Poverty, poor access and unsustainable processes are some of the factors involved. Masikampo Ruben Joya believes that education is the way out of poverty. He advocates strongly for it and has program proposals lined up for members of the IP. As a private individual or group, how can you help? Here is a short list: 1. Sponsor a child or interested members of the tribe who wants to go to college. Tuition fees range from $100-200 every 6 months depending on the school they go to. 2. School provisions like notebooks, bags, pens or pencils. 3. Clothing like school uniforms and shoes. 4. Transportation vehicles to pick them from the villages to their school. 5. Books for grade schoolers and c