A more peaceful future in the Philippines, and far beyond
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| Peter (right) with Basao elder and HPI partner Mosling Dammay. Peter has learned to let go of his desire for revenge and is now a close friend of the Basaos. |
Peter remembers the anger he felt as a child, the sense that he must avenge his father’s death. “I grew up wanting to retaliate,” he remembers. Back then, the notion of forming friendships with members of a rival tribe seemed almost inconceivable to Peter. But today peace is finally starting to take root, thanks to an innovative Heifer project called “Gift for Peace.” For the first time in generations, old resentments are being put aside. “Now I want to be a role model,” Peter says.
It’s amazing what a “Gift for Peace” can do!
The tensions between the Tulgao and Basao tribes, in the Kalinga region of the Philippines, go back for many generations, to long before Peter Bangngayon was born.
That his children could ever grow up without those old rivalries seems almost like a miracle.
But at Heifer International we believe there’s a way to create lasting peace, even in a region that has known tribal violence for so long. It starts with showing rival families their shared interest in overcoming poverty and hunger. And the bonds between them grow stronger as families begin to share, work together, find common ground and learn they can trust each other. Your generous online contribution helps support programs like Heifer’s “Gift for Peace” project.
Peter has seen both sides of the rivalry first-hand. As a boy, his father, a Tulgao like him, was killed by a member of the rival Basao tribe. Not only did Peter have to cope with his grief, he also was being goaded by his customs into taking vengeance. “I grew up wanting to look for the person who hurt my father, or any of his tribesmen.”
That’s how it had been in Kalinga for longer than anyone could remember. Sometimes there would be brief periods of relative calm between the two tribes. But then something would happen to ignite a spark, and the tensions would boil over again.
It seemed, in Kalinga, peace was never really given a chance.
At Heifer, we understand longstanding rivalries aren’t only about tribal differences. They are about competition over resources made scarce by deforestation. They are about the economic insecurity that comes from poverty and hunger. By giving families the resources to support themselves, and encouraging healthy cooperation between tribe members, even centuries-old rivals can learn that there is much more that unites them than divides them. And that’s when peace can start to take root!
 Our “Gift for Peace” project started with 20 Tulgao families and 20 Basao families. Thanks to friends like you, we gave them gifts of cattle, water buffalo, chickens, seeds and farm tools, as well as training in sustainable agriculture.
But we didn’t just make those gifts and walk away (we never do). Instead, we encouraged cooperation by having Tulgao and Basao families attend training sessions together, cooperate and share their knowledge.
When you see that your rivals have all the same needs and desires you do — to care for their families, feed their children and create a better future for the next generation — it is harder to hate and easier to trust. Having worked side by side with Basao families and made friends, Peter now says, “I have learned to forgive and let go of my anger and desire for revenge.”
The most beautiful and hopeful moments come when it’s time for the “Passing of the Gift.” What an amazing sight to see Basao giving to Tulgao, and Tulgao giving to Basao, while offering kind words and blessings for the future!
Won’t you please help us expand “Gift for Peace” by making a generous online gift now?
It isn’t just that we need to bring more Tulgao and Basao families together. It’s also that what has worked in Kalinga can work elsewhere, where our efforts are urgently needed:
- In many places in the world, food shortages have led to rioting.
- As food prices rise, poor families are pushed to desperation.
- Competition over scarce resources stoke the flames of old tensions and can drive people, even neighbors, apart.
Heifer provides real solutions that can help sow the seeds of long-term peace. We just need your help, and we need it today!
When given a chance, peace can bring together rival tribes. Peace begins when parents no longer pass the old resentments on to their children. Peace begins when Basao and Tulgao children think nothing of playing together.
It’s happening now in Kalinga, and it can happen elsewhere, when you help. Please make your secure, online gift today to support Heifer and projects like “Gift for Peace.” Thank you.
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