July 17th -23rd, 2013
Link here to see the video: A Documentary on the Rebuilding of the Badjao New Life Center; With You All the Way!
Homma Kancho has come to Mindanao Island in the Philippines twice in the past 2 months. On his first visit with us at the AHAN Mindanao Learning Center in Illigan, he learned that the community center for the Badjao tribe had been destroyed and abandoned after a bad storm. AHAN Mindanao has been supporting the Badjao tribe with monthly meals and other services for the last 3 years. Homma Kancho and the AHAN Mindanao staff went to work planning the rebuilding of a new facility. This time, the New Life Center would be built with a concrete foundation under the traditional bamboo structure.
Joyful moments at the opening celebration; Homma Kancho, Pastor Ronie Azani, Ava Yancha Sensei.
A simple entrance; yet a new door to the future.
The Badjao children’s unique dance.
Poised for the start of a Badjao
traditional girls dance.
Homma Kancho surrounded by the Badjao people.
Most meaningful in the process of rebuilding the New Life Center was the communication and interaction between the AHAN Mindanao staff and the people of the Badjao tribe; especially among the young people. In a show of new found trust and appreciation, the Badjao people shared with us their traditional dancing; something that is rarely shown to people outside of the tribe. At the opening ceremony, we prepared a meal for over 200 people who supported the building of this new facility.
Everybody joins in the dancing at the opening party!
Dancing to the sound of drums made from tin cans.
A sign of the times in Mindanao; armed guards stand by in case of emergency. Thank you for keeping us safe.
Five AHAN Mindanao uchideshi aiming for the Manila Police Academy. Good job!
AHAN Mindanao’s valued assistants: left: Ms. Marin right: Ms. Apo.
During a speech at the opening ceremony, Homma Kancho said, “With a small amount of money, an amount that would not even buy a used car in the United States, we have built together a great facility. We can do anything if we work together to achieve the same goal”.
For the future of the AHAN New Life Center, Homma Kancho promised his support, and a new focus to preserve and develop the Badjao traditional tribal dances.
Ava Yancha Sensei
AHAN Mindanao Learning Center
Nippon Kan General Headquarters Uchideshi Alumni
Nippon Kan Certificated Instructor